D-IV Girls Hoops Preview

February 17, 2016 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Top Seeds

 

1: Phoenix Christian (28-2)

The Cougars are the returning D-IV state champions and Tara Poovey is in her first year at the helm with Bruce Consier stepping down after leading the school to it's only state title. Only two losses this year were to D-II Mesa and D-III Alhambra. The Cougars have not lost to another D-IV school since Feb. 14, 2015 (Gilbert Christian).

Team leaders are senior Point Guard Mariah Leary (18 points per game and 264 rebounds) and Jr. Guard Ashley Bliss (12.2). Jr. Center Allison Sluga has pulled down 238 rebounds with her 9.9 points per game and Jr. G. Tracye Roman is adding 9.5 points per game.

 

2: Thatcher (19-6)

Head coach Russell Jones is in his fourth year and the Eagles finished in the quarterfinals of D-III last year. The Eagles are on a five-game winning streak. Team leaders include, Jr. Guard, Macee Bingham, Jr. Forward Sarah Green, Jr. PG Brianna McBride, Jr. F Hailey Greer and Sr. C Emily Norton. Thatcher finished in second place in 2011 and has seven state championships.

 

3: Gilbert Christian (24-4)

Daryl Young has coached the Knights to two state championships and the team finished in the quarterfinal round last year after losing to Phoenix Christian 48-47.  Sr. G Cassidy Curtner is scoring 13.8 points per game and So. G Victoria Zebb is averaging 8.3. So. G Rachel Field is leading the team with 148 rebounds.

 

4: Arizona Lutheran (21-7)

Longtime coach Jeremiah Strassburg took the Coyotes to the semifinal round last year. The program won a title in 1991 under Bob Gruetzmacher. Sr. Ruth Buchholz is averaging 12.4 points per game and the Coyotes are getting even scoring from the next five players on the roster. Buchholz also leads the team in rebounding (82) while Sr. Heather Warksow has 161 total rebounds.

 

5: Ganado (21-10)

Mike Bitsuie is in his second year and this is the first year the Hornets have broken 20 wins since the 25-3 state championship team of 2008. Ganado made the second round in D-III last year. So. Amber James, Jr. JaeLyn Curley and Sr. Tierra James look to elad the team in the postseason.

 

6: Sedona Red Rock (25-6)

Dave Moncibaez is in his first year with the Scorpions and the team has responded with the first 25-win season in school history. The Scorpions only have eight players on their roster with only one senior, guard Annie Parrella.

 

7: Yuma Catholic (20-4)

Bobby McGalliard has reached his best record in his four years with the program. Sr. G. Josselyn Morris is averaging 14.9 points per game, Sr. Lindsay Martin (10.3) and So. Sydney Neumann (9.1) is the other scorer for the Shamrocks. The Shamrocks missed the D-III playoffs last year.

 

8: Round Valley (21-8)

Ira Lewis is in his first year with the Elks and he has led the team to one of the best records in school hsitory. The Elks have three state championships with the last coming in 2003. Sr. Walia Smith is averaging 10.7 points a game and Sr. Nicole Slade has 9.5.

 

Notables:

No. 9 Desert Christian (24-5). Hannah Bjorgum has 1,007 career points.

No. 10 Scottsdale Christian (25-6). Only won four games last year.

No. 11 River Valley (18-7). Most wins in a season.

No. 12 Pima (19-8). The Roughriders were in the 2010 title game.

No. 13 Pusch Ridge (21-8). The Lions won four straight titles from 2005-2008.

No. 14 Combs (20-8). Amanda Webster's first 20-win season.

No. 15 PHX Country Day (19-9). Won the 2000 championship.

No. 16 Coolidge (16-8). The Bears only won six games last year.

No. 17 Horizon Honors (23-6). Most wins since 2008.

No. 18 Tanque Verde (18-11) is appearing in the first state playoffs in school history.

No. 19 Hopi (10-15). Barry Honyouti is in his first year.

No. 20 Bourgade Catholic (15-10). Most wins since 2009.

No. 21 Camp Verde (13-14). Mark Showers took the Cowboys to the 2007 title game.

No. 22 Morenci (14-14). Sabyn Martin scoring 10.5 points per game.

No. 23 Wickenburg (18-10). Ronn Tillapaugh in first year.

No. 24 Chandler Prep (15-12). Most wins for Jenn Bradley.