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Sports Notebook...with Brian Gomez
Healthy Aztecs start fast at Coca-Cola Classic

By Brian Gomez

Minutes before Corona del Sol High School’s girls basketball team began its first post-Thanksgiving practice last week, head coach Pat Reed slouched in a chair against the bleachers inside Sammy Duane Gymnasium, munching on a taco and icing her sore right shoulder.

For Reed, the fact that she was injured and her players weren’t was good enough to fill her hunger, but a quick snack before a late practice can’t hurt, right?

In sharp contrast to last season, a lineup full of healthy bodies paid dividends for the Aztecs last week, as they finished fourth at the Coca-Cola Thanksgiving Classic, winning five of six games in the five-day tournament.

Corona’s lone loss came in its second game against No. 8-ranked Scottsdale Horizon. The Aztecs (6-1) bounced back by downing Peoria Centennial, No. 7 Gilbert Highland, Tucson Catalina Foothills and Mountain Pointe.

“Knowing that we beat the second-place team makes us feel like we’re right there in the hunt,” said Reed, who dinged her shoulder in practice the week before the season started.

Corona junior guards Amy Rosenkrantz (15.3 points per game) and Sy Janousek (14.7 points) were both named to the all-tournament team. Sophomore wing Lisa Helmers also played well, averaging 12.5 points per game.

In the post, junior forwards Rachel Stroop and Shannon Smith and senior forwards Denise Miller and Erica Maloney received ample playing time. Freshman guard Bonnie Barbee and senior guard/forward Sarah Taylor have been used frequently off the bench.

“We’re still trying to find the final combination,” said Reed, whose team returns to action at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 against Avondale Westview.

Girls soccer

Despite watching his team take a backseat to Horizon the last three years, Corona girls soccer head coach Matt Smith enters his fourth season at the helm with renewed optimism.

The No. 2 Aztecs (1-0) return 13 players, including 10 starters, to a team that was eliminated by Horizon in last year’s semifinals. Corona has advanced to postseason in each of the past four years, losing to Horizon every time.

“This is the most talented team I’ve had,” said Smith, whose team beat Highland 1-0 in the season opener this past week. “We have a lot of players who are as good as a lot of the other ones who get attention out there, but we’re very deep. We’ve got kids coming off the bench that would be starting at a lot of places.”

Four-year starters Shaylyn Scott and Blaine Dugan will play large roles this season, as will junior midfielder Kaitlin Baum. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Haynes replaces Kim Kukla, who recently completed her freshman season at Grand Canyon University.

“We went to the semis last year, but we want to go one step further, and we want to play one more game,” Smith said. “The last game, we don’t want to be watching. We want somebody else watching us.”

Boys soccer

Corona’s boys soccer team has high hopes this season, even with a green goalkeeper and two new forwards.

Senior shot-blocker Ryan Kennedy looked impressive and senior forwards Danny Peck and Andy Williams fared well in last week’s 2-0 win over Highland, leading the No. 6 Aztecs (1-0) to believe they have a legitimate chance of capturing the Central Region title.

“Players complement each other all over the field,” said Corona head coach Fran Bader, whose team hosts top-ranked Horizon at 6 p.m. Dec. 5. “I don’t think we’re weak in any area.”

Wrestling

Three sophomores compensated for the absence of a plethora of football players who are still trying to get in shape, as Corona’s wrestling team slipped by Scottsdale Desert Mountain 40-30 in last week’s season opener.

Sophomores Tim Kirch (135 pounds), Kevin Hager (140) and Cory Hale (160) held their own against a Desert Mountain team that had grapplers in all 14 weight classes. Most of Corona’s football players are expected to be ready to wrestle in time for the Dec. 10 multi-meet at Peoria.

“We’re starting to get a few more football players in the lineup, but we’re not at full strength yet,” Corona head coach Dave Vibber said. “You have to take your time and be patient with them. They’re in good shape for football, but getting ready for wrestling is a whole different game.”

Reach the reporter at brian.gomez@wranglernews.com.

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