Led in scoring by three seniors, an incredible sophomore guard and two freshmen, the Lady Aztecs (8-9, 2-2 region) have already won more games halfway through the season than they did all of last season.
The team started the season losing by only one point 46-47 to Glendale Kellis in the Scorpion Shootout at Desert Edge but went on to win the next three. Corona was 2-2 in the Scottsdale Holiday Invitational and recently won three out of the last five games.
Presently playing Central region’s highly-competitive teams, the Lady Aztecs could easily come out with a 4-4 or better conference record. They defeated both Gilbert and Basha earlier but lost to conference leaders Mesa Mountain View and Dobson.
Corona were expected to do well against Mesquite Jan 21, and may have been able to defeat Highland Jan. 18, but will be challenged to pull out a win against Mesa Mountain View on Jan. 25. Corona lost by 31 points to Mountain View early in the season, 23-54.
“We knew we would have games that challenged us, like against Mountain View,” said senior guard Karalee Keith-Coker, “but we are determined, as a team, to improve our overall record this season and still have a good time on the court.”
Forward Allison Gordon, center Sara Rueckle and Keith-Coker, all seniors, improved the Lady Aztecs’ record by consistent defense and scoring on more than 35 percent of their shots.
Gordon averages close to 10 points a game, 2 steals and 8½ rebounds, while Rueckle averages more than 6.6 rebounds a game and leads the team in blocked shots, one of the goals she set for her senior season.
“I really like blocking everyone’s shots,” said Rueckle. “My goal this season is to block as many of our opponents’ shots as possible.”
Leading in several categories, though, is the sophomore sensation, 5 foot 5 guard Alexa Hogberg. Hogberg averages more than 17 points a game, has close to 100 assists or 6½ per game and leads the team in steals at more than two per game. She has made 37 percent of her three-point shots at 35-out-of-95. Hogberg has scored, to date, 256 of the team’s 784 points.
“My goal coming into the season was to improve as a basketball player in all phases of my game to help our team have a successful year,” said Hogberg. “Coach Strom has pushed us to be better defensively and to work at a higher intensity level this season, which has helped us improve overall as a team.”
Add to the mix, two freshman, 5 foot 1 guard Sammi Moore and 5 foot 8 guard Kaelin Shaffer, who are both contributing four points a game. Sophomore forward Lauren Lucky has also grabbed close to six rebounds a game and contributed 4½ points a game, while juniors Erin Miller and Liann Kline have contributed off the bench.
Miller seeing action in 13 games is averaging two rebounds a game, while Kline is averaging 2.6 rebounds a game.
Also coming off the bench and adding to the team success are seniors Sina Christie and Kaylyn McGowan and freshman Erica Schyberg.
The Lady Aztecs were scheduled to play at Mesquite Jan. 21, at home against Mesa Mountain View, Jan. 25, and then at Jan. 28 before a non-region game at home against Fairfax on Feb. 1.
Girls Soccer
Members of Corona’s girls soccer team have had their ups and downs this season, just like last, but Coach Matt Smith is confident the team can go far in the state tournament if they continue to work hard.
“We have been playing strong defensively, led by MyKaylin Rosenquist, Olivia Montoya and Kelsey Cartwright,” said Smith. “We have also been very strong in the goal, rotating four players through there in Colby Bounds, Kate Halligan, Taylour Rohme and Lexi Bounds. Through 13 games we have only given up 6 goals, with 9 shutouts.”
Although the Lady Aztecs have been strong defensively, they have not done as well offensively by scoring goals.
“We have to keep working on scoring to have success the rest of the season,” said Smith. “When we have scored, we have done it in bunches. The girls have been working really hard, and I think we will see some progress over the next couple of weeks.”
Corona has had to replace the void left when Sammie Weber went out with a knee injury.
“Micah Jones and Cara Ridley have both played in the holding-midfielder position where Sammie would have likely played,” said Smith. “In addition, Dallas Johnson has really stepped up as a centerback for us. She adds some nice pace to the back and has done a great job.”
Although Weber has been contributing from the bench, it’s hard to not have more leaders on the field.
“Micah Jones has done a great job as captain, Sammie Weber has really contributed from the bench, and I recently named Emily Tucker as a captain based on what she has done so far this season,” said Smith.
The Lady Aztecs have a tough schedule the rest of the season and will need to be on their toes to make it out of the Central region and get a good seed for the newly formatted state tournament.
Smith is expecting Central region goes Gilbert and Highland to be tough and Basha much improved. Corona already lost once to a Mesquite team 1-0 coach by former Corona assistant and Smith’s brother Scott.
It was a close competitive game against Mesquite, one that was decided by a couple of inches, according to Smith.
“We had one bounce off the pole against us and Mesquite’s keeper had a great save,” said Smith.
With three regular games left in the season, the Lady Aztecs will have only a few chances to score goals and win games before the state tournament. They were due to play at home Jan. 21 against Basha, then at Dobson on Jan. 25 before their final home game and senior day Jan. 27 against Highland.
Boys basketball
Corona (14-2) moved up to No. 2 in the 5A Division I boys basketball rankings, right behind the only team they have lost to in the regular season, Mesa Mountain View. Corona’s only other loss so far in the season was to Mesa in the finals of the Mesa Jackrabbit Tournament over the Thanksgiving holidays.
Although Corona is ranked No. 2, they’re No. 6 in power rankings behind Buena, Hamilton, North, Desert Vista and Mesa. Mountain View is No. 13. With nine regular season games remaining, Corona has a good chance to move up in the power rankings and earn a great seed heading into the state tournament.
Former Corona athlete Coggins makes headlines
Former Corona basketball player Nicole Coggins is making headlines at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She scored a career-high 23 points in Denison’s 73-61 win over the College of Wooster on Jan. 15.
Coggins, who replaced injured point guard Serafina Nuzzo, made 3 out of 4 from the 3-point range, was 8-for-12 from the field and led the team with six assists in 38 minutes of action.
The win improved the Denison Big Red’s record to 16-5 and 5-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference.
