After reaching the 6A title game for the second time in three years, things didn't exactly go as planned during this last offseason for coach Andrew Curtis and the Pumas.
Injuries and transfers ravaged Perry's roster. Sage Henry was the second leading scorer as a sophomore (14 ppg) but transferred to Hamilton after the school year. Then during the section 7 tournament last June, junior guard and leading scorer Bella Burcar tore her ACL. Point guard Ivy Isabella, now a senior, led the team in assists and steals, but transferred to Gilbert later in the summer.

The Pumas managed a 5-2 start before another setback. Junior Novelle McQuiston, the team's leading scorer (21 ppg) and top rebounder through the first seven games, went down with her own knee injury that ended her season. In the span of a few short months, what was considered an Open contender had lost four of it's top players. Perry's roster was decimated and lost seemed snakebitten. Then, the immediate schedule included four consecutive out of state opoponents before facing a powerful Millennium team currenty ranked No. 2 in the Open Division rankings. Oh and then Open runner-up Desert Vista the next day. Perry found itself in challenging circumstances with its season potentially in jeopardy.

Perry coach Andrew Curtis instructs his players during the 2024 6A title game. (Maxpreps)

Curtis, however, wasn't deterred, nor were his players. The Pumas struggled through a difficult stretch of basketball and opponents, leaving them 7-10 before region play began in January. But along that difficult stretch, Perry improved as a team and developed trust and chemistry. "I've been in similar situations as a coach and even last year," says Curtis, who took over at Perry in 2016. Last season was a difficult one before we made the playoff run. We were talented but struggled with our chemistry and playiing as a team, but we got it together in time."

Perry was 11-14 before making its run to the 6A championship game, where it lost to O'Connor. 

This year's squad is following a similar path, albeit out of different challenges.

The Pumas won eight of their last nine games, and finished tied with Hamilton for the Premiere Region title. Now 14-11, they'll await their playoff seeding along with all other big schools (girls and boys) this Saturday morning. Live covereage will be available at azpreps365.com and AM1580. Perry is No. 17 in the Open standings and 11th in 6A. Most importantly, the Pumas enter the playoffs with renewed confidence. 

"I feel like situations like this can really create the best out of teams and players individually," Curtis added. I can't say enough about this group and how they've come together. As a coach, it also reinforces the opportunities to teach and improve during a season and especially during difficult times. Transfers are part of the game and coaching. As coaches we all have to manage it and prepare. Sometimes we benefit and sometimes we adjust, but we all have to coach and teach and get the most out of our kids."

Curtis admits losing Burcar and McQuiston to injury were big blows. He considers both to be future Division I players. Burcar knows the game well, Her father Shane Burcar is the head coach at Northern Arizona, and led Mesa High to state championship in 2016. But Curtis also appreciates the leadership that's emerged over the course of the season. Senior Maci Hess played a big role during last year's playoff run and is credited for helping this year's team believe in itself.

"I can't say enough about Maci," Curtis says. "She's everything any coach would want in a player and a person. She has really stepped with her play and leadership." Hess leads the Pumas in scoring with 15 per game. Another unexpcted development has come at the point guard position, where freshman Elleigh Molilnar has exceeded expectations as a floor leader and scorer, with nearly 14 per game and a low tunover ratio. "I knew I could count on Maci coming into the season, but it was a big loss when Ivy left because she's a great point guard," Curtis admits. "Elleigh has played really efficient and improved, which is all we could ever ask for." Perry has also had quality production from Unesu Machiri, who transferred from Gilbert Christian. The junior is close to 10 points  a game, and along with Hess, played a huge role in a come from behind, overtime victory over Basha late in the season. 
 

That victory was significant because the entire second was played on front of a packed Perry gymnasium, and the Pumas trailed the entire game before making a late comeback.

"We showed faith and believe in eachother," Hess said of the Basha win. "We just kept fighting and kept it close enough to gov ourselves a chance."

The game was symbolic of its season heading into the playoffs. Perry has a chance to make this season another memorable. "We're excited for the postseason," Curtis added. 
 

Wide 'Open' Girls Field?

While the Perry boys team is the clear cut favorite to win another Open championship, the girls side appears to be more interesting. As of Thursday, 4A Salpointe is the No. 1 Open seed, with 6A Millennium, 4A Mesquite, and 6A Gilbert right behind. Regardless of how the final seedings fall in place, all four teams are aiming for the Open title. Salpointe beat Mesquite in last year's 4A title game. Mesquite beat Salpointe convincingly in an early season contest. The Wildcats also knocked off Gilbert by two points that same week. That was before the Tigers had the services of senior transfer point guard Ivy Isabella. Millennium meanwhile, has been a consistent 5A power which hasn't missed a beat this year in 6A. Millennium also has one of the state's most electric players in Destiny Lunan. Of cours it wouldn't be too surprising for defending Open champion Xavier to make a run either  it all shapes up for an entertaining and interesting postseason.

"I always love playing against the best competition possible," said Mesquite coach Candice Gonzales, who reached victory 500 earlier this year. "I've often petitioned to move up to 6A, it's just never worked out that way. We got some good early season wins against Salpointe and Gilbert, but I expect both to reach the Open quarters of not further. Gonzales is in her 27th season at Mesquite. She led the Wildcats to the 4A title in 2017, but this may be her most seasoned team, with a strong nucleus of players who've played several years together, including Gonzales daughter Dahlia who plays point guard. Senior forward Navar Guidry is among the state's leading scorers averaging 22 per clip along with seven rebounds. Gilbert Junior Aspen McClees (18 ppg) brings leadership along with the senior transfer Ivy Isabella (13 ppg), whose freshman sister Contessa is averaging 10 points for the Tigers.

"I like this team and we're excited for the playoffs," first year Gilbert coach Savanna Bix said. It looks like it could be a true Open tournament with a handful of teams that have a legitimate shot."

 

1,000 + 1,000: Career Double-Double 

Several players throughout the state surpassed the 1,000 career point milestone this season. Estrella Foothills senior Eva Amenhauser is one of them, but she also pulled down career rebound No. 1,000 earlier this year, putting her in an exclusive group of members from Arizona. Amenhauser is only the seventh player to do so. This season she's averaging 15 points and 14 rebounds a game for Estrella Foothills, which is 29-3 and ranked No. 3 in the 4A power rankings.
Estrella Foothills senior Ava Amenhauser (52) is nearing 1,400 career rebounds. (MaxPreps/Joe Jackson Jr.)

With one regular season game left, Amenhauser has 1,216 total points and 1,378 rebounds, just 13 shy of the 4A record, and 7th overall. 
"She makes everyone around her better," says Estrella Foothills coach Noah Hachtel. "She's see's the floor really well and rarely makes a bad decision with the ball. She communicates with teammates extremely well. She's also got a magnetic personality that all kids are drawn to. Just a fantastic human being."