Information from this report provided by the Pima media relations department:
Todd Holthaus earned his 300th career coaching victory in his 14th season at Pima with the Aztecs’ 71-51 win at Phoenix College on Tuesday night.
Holthaus is 300-138 in his career at Pima.
Holthaus had a reunion with Pima women’s basketball alumni Tia Morrison, Deana Bledsoe, Gabby Banales, Taylor Blue, Felicia Foster and Shalise Fernander after the game.
“The most striking thing (about 300 wins) is that it goes so fast. When I see those kids at games, they’ve got professional careers,” Holthaus said. “I love watching young people succeed. Seeing them at the game, it means I meant something to them and they came to see the team play. That’s kinda cool.”
His coaching background includes being an assistant coach under Joan Bonvicini at Arizona (2005-2007) and as the Flowing Wells girls coach (1998-2005; 160-64 record).
The Aztecs improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACCAC with the win.
“I’m happy we’re 6-2 but I feel we have a lot more to give and lot more growing to do,” Holthaus said. “We’re pretty good but haven’t tapped into what we can be. We need to make sure the freshmen don’t have mental lapses. Being ranked No. 8 is a great place to be but we can be even better.”
Down 19-16 after the first quarter, the Aztecs responded in the second by outscoring the Bears 18-6 to take a 34-25 lead at the break.
“We started off slow, playing a little fast and undisciplined,” Holthaus said. “We told them to stick to the game plan, play to our strengths and we’d eventually wear them out. Our strength is in the paint, getting the boards and to foul line is where we are most effective.”
Sophomore Nikya Orange (Tanque Verde grad) finished with a double-double of 19 points going 9 for 13 from the field along with 16 rebounds. Fellow sophomore Melissa Simmons finished with 12 points.
Freshman Angel Addleman (Palo Verde) finished the game with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists while freshmen Luisayde Chavez (Rio Rico) and Torrance Begay each had six points and eight rebounds.
The Aztecs finished with 58 rebounds and 20 assists.
They next play at Glendale Community College on Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m.
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