Suggested Sub Title: Season Ends With Loss to #4 McClintock
The Falcons Boys Basketball team had a whole new challenge moving up to Division 5A from a successful 4A campaign the year before. But as it turned out, the shifting landscape of bigger, stronger schools didn’t phase the Senior laden team at all, as the Falcons turned in a 23-4 overall record, and the first back-to-back 20 win seasons in school history.
The CSHS boys reached a high point of ranked #2 in State 5A, and ended the regular season as Region champions of the Northeast Valley Region, with an 11-1 conference record, and final ranking of #5 going into the State Playoffs.
The Falcons earned a first round bye in the playoffs, and faced a tough and talented team in the Nogales Apaches in round 2. In a hard fought game, the Falcons took a 44-38 lead into the 4th quarter and gained much needed separation with successive 3 pointers from Seniors Sam Goulet, CJ Nnorom, and Jake Benci (returning from an ankle injury), pushing the lead to 61-49 with 2:37 remaining. CSHS held on to win 66-54 and advance to the final 8 for the 2nd year in a row in the State tournament. The Falcons were lead by Goulet (16 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists), Nnorom (18 points, 3 steals), and Benci (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists).
In the quarter final round (final 8), Cactus Shadows went on the road to #4 McClintock, whom they split 2 games during the regular season. The Falcons, with a great showing of traveling fans and students, started strong with a 14-10 1st quarter lead, but red hot 3 point shooting, and 2nd chance points by the Chargers pushed their lead to 6 at halftime (31-25), and up to an 11 point margin (44-33) with 3:23 left in the 3rd quarter. CSHS battled back from a rare poor shooting night from 3, showing toughness on both ends of the floor, and cut the lead to 5 on a few occasions, but could not turn the corner with a few heart breaking possessions down the stretch, and fell to a final score 63-59, ending the season. In the game, the Falcons were lead by Nnorom (20 points) and Goulet (17 points).
Head Coach Zach Washut said it best after the game “My heart hurts for these seniors, but so much to be proud of. The fight tonight was fantastic. Back to back elite 8’s and 20+ win seasons, and 2019 Region champions. They raised the bar and I am proud of them all.”
Falcons Boys Basketball – Season Awards Honors
Photo by Gina DeCarlo Brown.
Photo by Gina DeCarlo Brown.
Photo by Gina DeCarlo Brown.
