Reporter: Rei Tedoco
Photo of South Mountain's Jaleel West, #2
PHOENIX- Kicking off the competition for boys basketball in the Arizona 5A conference, South Mountain helps host the Coyote Classic.
Dynamic players and underexposed teams from 27 schools in the Arizona Valley showed up from Nov.25 to Nov.27 with pool play appearances and final games on Nov. 30. The tournament was hosted by the Phoenix Union High School District and spread across multiple schools to allow teams to play. On Saturday, Nov.30, Central High School was the dominant location and hosted the championship, while South Mountain hosted the consolation games.
“I think that South Mountain is a great program, a great organization. We have a great facility and it’s a good time to play basketball,” BJ Butler, a freshman for South Mountain, said. “We love the community and we are a big community, trying to help anyone we can.”
BJ Butler guarding Sierra Linda’s Isaac Melendez Ochoa
The final games for the Coyote Classic at South Mountain began with the host school, South Mountain, against Sierra Linda. The South Mountain Jaguars won 71-to-29 against the Sierra Linda Bulldogs, a major comeback from their losses against Marcos de Niza and Betty Fairfax earlier in the tournament.
Jaleel West, a sophomore for the Jaguars, helped bring the hype to his teammates. In the first quarter, the Jaguars were down and keeping it close with the Bulldogs. After half-time, the Jaguars locked in and took pride in home-court advantage.
“This is a chance for us to show how good we are to other teams and that this is our territory,” West said. “Trust and have trust in us, we may be a little down right but give it a few years and we are up.”
After the Jaguars cleared the court, a match-up between Betty H. Fairfax High School and Alhambra High School at 11:30 a.m.
Bryan Mathews was seen wearing a South Mountain jersey as Fairfax and Alhambra both showed up in white jerseys.
The Alhambra Lions were steadfast in the first quarter with 14 points compared to Fairfax’s 5 points. The Fairfax Stampede decided to shake things up in the second quarter, scoring 15 points, 6 by Andrew Evans and 4 by Bryan Mathews. Heading into half-time, Alhambra was up 23-to-20.
“We started off real slow, then we started to play defense which helped it come together. It’s one play at a time,” Evans, a junior leader for the Stampede said.
Andrew Evans taking charge and leading the Stampede down the court
After the half, Fairfax’s Evans and Mathews decided it was time to step it up and show Alhambra what they had to offer. Keeping it close, Fairfax won 54-to-50. Evans attributed 18% of their shots and Mathews with 37% of their points.
“I have to be the connector for the team. If I’m down then the team’s down so I have to keep that high spirit,” Evans said. “We have a freshman on our team, so I lead him to get the ball and I want to put him in a position when I’m not here.”
As the Stampede is growing leaders on the court, leadership has been an important aspect all-tournament for the Coyote Classic. Helpful figures in the Phoenix Union district were present at the tournament including Brian Fair, the district athletic director, Rayco Branch, the South Mountain athletic director, and the safety/student support staff.
Janet Bravo and Nancy Bravo back-to-back helping with the Coyote Classic
Two staff members in particular who kept their eyes on the tournament were twin sisters and South Mountain alumnae, Janet and Nancy Bravo. Nancy Bravo works as a student liaison, while her sister, Janet Bravo, takes her tasks as security. If the twins could describe the tournament the phrase “excited” would embrace it.
“As a part of the safety, not only will see our students in the districts, the parents, the fans, and the excitement that they have,” Janet Bravo said. “Now working the background of the tournament, I actually get to see sportsmanship.”
As for Janet’s sister, Nancy Bravo, she has worked at South Mountain for the past three years and has served her time helping at the tournament over the years.
“Being behind the scenes and seeing these students take their second chances. Whether that’s academic or on the court. It’s us being extra proud of everything that they’ve accomplished this year, academic wise and personal wise,” Janet Bravo said.
With a lot to celebrate as in wins, sportsmanship, and the enjoyment of basketball, another team had the opportunity to add another win to their season. The Marcos de Niza Padres played Trevor Browne for the Coyote Classic 2:30 p.m. game.
James Steward dunks during game against Trevor Browne
James Steward, a captain and senior, focuses on “playing hard and taking care of the ball”, his big motivation for the Padres is to stay “playing consistent”. Steward had 22 points that helped the Padres defeat the Trevor Browne Bruins, 66-to-41.
Two other key players on offense for the Padres during this game were Solo Washington and Elijah Ingram. Washington with 13 points and 43% adjusted field goal percentage. Ingram being sharp at the free-throw line aided the Padres with 15 points and 70% field goal percentage.
Solo Washington, #3 for the Padres, driving up the basket
“I put my team before me. It’s consistency on and off the bench, on and off the court as well. I think of my team as family, they’re like brothers to me,” Washington said.
Ingram being one of the underclassmen on the Padres has high expectations moving forward. He hopes to “play as a team and play well” as there are “really good teams and they have to be ready to play”.
Elijah Ingram at the free-throw line
The Padres went 4-and-1 for the entirety of the Coyote Classic with multiple players under the radar including Steward, Washington, Ingram, and Jeidarion Richard, a small forward. Last season, the Padres went 7-and-18 which the team has already started to turn around in the few games they’ve played.
Jeidarion Richard, #1 for the Padres, locked in on defense
To take on the court after the Padres versus Bruins were Tempe High School Buffaloes and Dobson High School Mustangs. An intense 4 p.m. showdown shook the entire court at South Mountain’s alumni gym as both teams were tied up after the 1st quarter.
Dobson found a way to combat against Tempe, taking a lead into halftime. Tempe came back to make it close in the third quarter, 37-to-36 but Dobson did not let up and finished the game 51-to-48.
Photo of Tempe’s Nassir Cobbs
Although Tempe lost to Dobson, Nassir Cobbs and Josiah Criss scored a combined 27 points for the Buffaloes. The Buffaloes went 2-and-2 for the tournament, while the Mustangs finished 3-and-1.
To finish the final game at the South Mountain venue was Copper Canyon High School versus La Joya Community High School which played at 5:30 p.m. La Joya took home the win against Copper Canyon, 49-to-46.
With Phoenix Union hosting the Coyote Classic it allowed exposure for teams and repetition, this won’t be the only time South Mountain will host a tournament for the 2024 winter season.
Nancy Bravo, student liaison for South Mountain High School revealed that from Dec.26 to Dec.28 will host their “Queens of the Court” tournament for girls' basketball. South Mountain will be the main venue and utilize their regular and alumni gym to conduct the tournament.
Contact the reporter:
Rei Tedoco
614-425-2592
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