https://twitter.com/AZPreps365Andy/status/1367286592021221377

Teams competing in 4A, 5A and 6A soccer have to finish ranked in the top 16 to make the state playoffs this year but there is also another hurdle that almost kept one of the best teams in the state on the outside looking in. The three conferences also set the standard for a minimum of seven games played to even be considered for the state playoffs, regardless of ranking.

Salpointe traveled to Tucson High Wednesday night ranked No. 3 in the 4A Conference with only six matches played and it was relief for the coaching staff to get that game played after a few weeks of phone calls to get teams added to the schedule after several opponents cancelled due to their own COVID restrictions.

The Lancers competed in four straight title matches between 2016 and 2019 with three straight championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the 2020 version took eventual state champion Flagstaff to PKs in the semifinal round.

The Lancers defeated the Badgers 1-0 on a PK from Trinity Morales (no relation) in the 30th minute to improve to 6-0-1 on the year with a huge match with No. 5 Walden Grove (7-1) slated for Friday at home. The Badgers are now 4-4-1 in the 6A Conference with another home match slated for Thursday night against Flowing Wells (1-9).

Tucson came in ranked No. 10 in the 6A Conference and the Badgers appear to be a safe bet for the state playoffs, most likely traveling to play a higher seed. The Lancers have a shot at hosting the first two rounds of the state playoffs and playing in the semifinals in in the Tucson area if their ranking holds and they win at every stage.

The first round of the state tournament for all conferences on the girl’s side is slated for Wednesday, March 10. The boys are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 9. The 3A Conference Play-In phase is set for Saturday, March 6.

Alyssa Brown (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

 

In basketball news, Sahuaro senior Alyssa Brown is not only playing at the top of her game, she is playing near the top of history.

Brown is averaging 33 points an outing (25.1 points in her career) this winter and that includes a 47-point school record outburst against Catalina Foothills in February. She set a state record 932 points last year but the reduction of games this year due to COVID restrictions will prevent that from happening again this year.

The UNLV commit, and reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, still has a shot at the second spot on the scoring list with former Red Mountain standout Kayla Pedersen sitting 55 points ahead of her with 2,611 career points. Former Catalina Foothills and University of Arizona standout Julie Brase Hairgrove will remain in the top spot with 2,911 career points. Hairgrove is now an assistant with the Phoenix Mercury.

 

ARIZONA CAREER SCORING LIST

1 Julie Brase, Catalina Foothills (2,913) 1994-1998

2 Kayla Pedersen, Red Mountain (2,611) 2003-2007

3 Alyssa Brown, Sahuaro (2,556) 2017-Present

4 Christina Wirth, Seton Catholic (2,550) 2001-2005

5 Kayla MacKenzie, Kellis (2,515) 2006-2010