Season Preview: 3A Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The AIA is loaded with 45 very talented 3A teams this upcoming. Last years state tournament teams included: Show Low, Thatcher, Window Rock, Bourgade Catholic, Chinle, Page, Monument Valley, Snowflake, Tuba City, Winslow, Sabino, Alchesay, Eastmark, Holbrook, Yuma Catholic, and Gilbert Christian. These are my predictions for the top contenders to bring a home a state championship this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1) Alchesay: The Falcons are coming off an incredible state championship run. They came into the state tournament as the 6 seed and rattled off 4 straight wins to bring home the state title with a record of 26-9. The Falcons are returning 11 players from last year's championship team including their second leading scorer in Junior Jazlyn Nosie. Nosie averaged 14Pts, 5 Asts, and 5Rbs a game last year as a sophomore. The Falcons got hot at the right time last year and I see that carrying into the upcoming season. This team has a lot of experience back and should be a favorite to repeat as state champs this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2) Winslow: The Lady Bulldogs are coming off a 19-8 season. They are returning 8 players from last years team including leading scorer Jaci Gonne. As a sophomore, Gonne averaged 17.5Pts, 5Rbs, and 3asts a game for the lady bulldogs. The Lady Bulldogs were bounced in the 2nd round of the state tournament by the eventual state champion Alchesay Falcons. Winslow returns a solid core and their leading scorer this year. The Lady Bulldogs will be a contender for a state championship this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3) Yuma Catholic: The Shamrocks are coming off a 21-8 season and were bounced in the first round of the state tournament against Gilbert Christian. The Shamrocks are only losing one player from last years team and are returning their top scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='208236' first='Reese' last='Sellers']. As a Junior, Sellers averaged 16.5Pts, 6Asts, and 6stls a game for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks will be an experienced team and come February will be one of the best in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4) Thatcher: The Thatcher Eagles are coming off a 20-6 season. The Eagles have a sour taste in their mouth after being upset in the first round of the state tournament as the #1 overall seed. The Eagles are losing their leading scorer in Olivia Lunt, but will be returning 8 seniors this year. The Eagles will be lead by Concordia-Moorhead (NCAA Division 3) women's basketball commit Ashlyn Thompson who averaged 10pts and 5Rbs a game as a junior. Look for the Eagles to avenge their first round loss from last season and make a run at the state title this postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5) Bourgade Catholic: The Golden Eagles are coming off of a 20-5 season and a loss in the State Semi-Finals to Chinle. The Golden Eagles lose their top scorer in Jalynn Avila but return 9 players from last years team. This year the Golden Eagles will be led by Junior Alice Gallegos and Senior Adriana Hernandez. Gallegos averaged 11.5Pts and 5Rbs a game as a sophomore and Hernandez averaged 8pts and 4rbs as a junior. Come playoff time, this team will be a really good team that is capable of making a run at the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->