Tip my sombrero to first-year coach Eric Castillo. His postgame professionalism set an example for his players I hope others will follow in the future. https://t.co/ycLtZQK4XF pic.twitter.com/dnuXMlI9ZR
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) March 1, 2022
PHOENIX – Nate Calmese is having a very good week. As almost everybody in the sports nation knows by now, the Mesquite senior guard hit a mid court shot at the buzzer to knock off No. 2 St. Mary’s 74-73 in the semifinal round last Tuesday. It was an improbable shot that stood up despite questions on whether he released the ball on time but there is no question about the 34 points he scored against No. 1 Salpointe Monday night to win the 4A state championship by a score of 64-58.
Salpointe (18-1 in ranking games) was an obvious favorite under first-year head coach Eric Castillo especially after the Lancers took care of No. 4 Deer Valley 60-53 in the other semifinal match. There was no need for desperation in that game but there was plenty of excitement in Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum Monday night….
OVERTIME
1972 Marana state championship team honored tonight. Norm Patton’s wife Sandra with Gordon Garcia, Kevin Komadina and Tim Hunter’s brother Jim. They won in this same building @MaranaSchools @MaranaBball #blessed #tears Rest Norm. pic.twitter.com/gPE4wnEiBd
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) March 1, 2022
Congrats to Salpointe Cheer USA Spirit Nationals 3RD Place Show Cheer Advanced NonTumble @SalpointeLancer pic.twitter.com/uFBSj4izj2
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) March 1, 2022
THE MESQUITE WILDCATS ARE YOUR NEW 4A STATE CHAMPS! They defeat Salpointe Catholic 64-58 to take home the trophy pic.twitter.com/aV5vMhcJjt
— Brittany Bowyer (@LittWithBritt) March 1, 2022
FOLLOW @ANDYMORALES8 ON TWITTER
Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019, became a member of the Sunnyside Los Mezquites Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2021 and he was a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee and he earned a Distinguished Service Award from Amphitheater. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
Recommended for you
