Previewing ’21-22 season; reviewing state champs

The 2021-22 Arizona girls high school basketball season began this week, and in the 1A, 2A and 3A conferences, memories of last season’s thrilling championship games remain. Here’s a look back at last year’s champions and what to expect heading into this season:

3A

Page High School found itself in a familiar position last season: hoisting the 3A state championship trophy.

The Sand Devils defeated Snowflake 36-32, securing the program’s third state title in the last four years and seventh overall.

Last season also marked Page’s fifth straight championship appearance under former head coach Ryan Whitehorse, who then stepped down to pursue his master’s degree at Arizona.

During his five-year tenure, Whitehorse had an overall record of 117-23, including 18-0 in his final season. The Sand Devils made it to the final round every year under his direction, and Whitehorse led them to back-to-back titles in ’18-19.

In July, the school announced that Celeste Claw will take over. She is a former Sand Devil basketball standout herself, graduating in 2012.

Page brings an 18-game winning streak into this season, which opens against Red Rock.

2A

One of the most thrilling finishes in last season’s championships occurred in the 2A Conference, when Pima High School’s Aubrie Sherwood drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Sedona Red Rock 50-48 and capture Pima’s first state championship in nearly two decades.

Head coach Roy Corona was almost speechless after winning his first ever state title and in such thrilling fashion.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Corona said in an interview with The Republic. “But at that moment, it was just pure joy. When you win like we did ... you just react to what happened because it was that last second shot. So, I was jumping up and down and real proud of the girls for the accomplishment they had. It took me a couple of days to realize what we did for myself.”

It was the Roughriders’ first state title in the conference. They made their first finals appearance since finishing runner-up to Valley Christian in 2010. Pima had won three previous championships, but all of them were in the 1A division (1984, 2002-03).

Pima returns all of its top scorers from a year ago. The Roughriders had four players that scored in double-figures last season. Saydee Allred, a junior, led the team, averaging 13.4 points per game. Junior Ashlie Sherwood averaged 12.5 points. Her twin Aubrie, who hit the big shot in that championship game against Snowflake, finished tied for first in assists with four per game while also averaging 11 points. Sophomore Ashlynn Chlarson was a walking double-double for Pima, putting up 10.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game according to MaxPreps.

1A

Fort Thomas was another school that ended its state title drought last season after defeating Mogollon 56-29 to win the Apaches’ first championship in 15 years.

For head coach Lee Haws, it was a long time coming. Haws took over the Fort Thomas program before the 200708 season.

In his 14th season, he secured his first title after suffering heartbreaking losses in the quarterfinals and semifinals and finishing runner-up to Gilbert Christian in 2011.

If the team located just outside of the San Carlos Reservation hopes to repeat, they will have to do it without some key pieces. Forth Thomas will try to replace four seniors, including starting center Kiya Haws.

Luckily, the Apaches will have rising star and sophomore guard Jasmine Olivar. As a freshman, Olivar led all scorers in the 2020 1A championship game with 19 points and ranked first on the team in points per game (14.7), assists (4.8) and steals (2.8), according to MaxPreps. “She’s a baller,” Coach Haws said. “I don’t use that term lightly … but, no, she’s a baller.”