An abbreviated girls high school basketball season kicks off Monday at Camp Verde High School, as last season’s 2A Conference runner-up hosts Arizona Lutheran.

For Mark Showers, entering his 24th season as head coach and third year as the principal at CVHS, his first game as a member of the 3A conference is a reset in more ways than one from last season’s last-minute loss to Thatcher High School in the state title game.

“We didn’t have a summer program; that was gone,” said Showers, rebuilding from the loss of four starters from the only 2A team to finish undefeated in non-tournament play. “We didn’t have invitational tournaments. It’s like you throw half a season out there and do the best you can and call it good.

“If you try to do too much, it’ll be all over the place. So we have to do a Frank Kush style of coaching: you do a couple of things and you do them well.

“We had to completely change most of what we did offensively and defensively.”

As a result, Showers is looking for more of his offense to come off full-court pressure and less from the post, where 5-foot, 10-inch senior McKenna Martin takes over from 2A Player of the Year Jacy Finley, the Cowboys’ leading scorer in the state title loss with 24 points.

“You have to find a new system that fits your kids,” said Showers, who projects Page High School to be his biggest competitor in the North Central Region. “We had to broaden our ability to score, so we’re going to have to pressure and get some scores in transition because we don’t have that big kid in the middle anymore.

“Usually, these are the years that are the most fun, because you’re finding out the emotional level and the skill level of the kids.” 

And whether or not eight new players can withstand the intensity of 3A play, in which Showers sees the greatest Northern Arizona contenders as the Sand Devils, Holbrook High School and the Winslow Bulldogs, who are the Cowboys’ final regular-season opponents March 4.

“We’re really excited to play them,” Showers said in full sarcasm. “No, seriously, I don’t know if we’re really excited. They’re shooting and pressing, they push the ball up the floor all the time. There is no doubt they’re the three best northern teams in 3A.”

Whether or not Camp Verde can match, in 3A, the 29-3 overall record and top overall seed the Cowboys garnered against 2A competition last season will be entirely dependent on the circumstances Showers’ four returners find themselves in as he begins his third decade of coaching girls basketball.

His only returning starter, junior all-region forward Shelly Warfield, will be the cornerstone around which fellow junior returners Daija Thompson and Addy Herrera and senior guard Bridgette Fitzgerald will need to build in the next seven weeks. 

 “For me it’s not about the titles,” Showers said. “It’s about the relationships with the kids and the smiles I see on their faces.”

azpreps365 emailed a questionnaire to each winter season coach. What follows is information northern Arizona girls basketball coaches have so far provided.  

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Holbrook High School

Head coach: Greg Perkins.

2019-20 record: 25-7.

Number of years as school's head coach: 12.

Overall record at school: 252-130.

Top returning starters: Matehya Aberle, forward/post senior 6-1. Talented, hard working and all around player. Returning 1st team all state and region offensive poy. She can play inside or out. High expectations for her this year. Being recruited by numerous schools. ... Abigayle Nez, guard junior 5-5. Good outside shooter, solid worker and good defender. ... Talynn Nez, junior point guard 4-11. Good ball handler, and pushes the ball, solid defender. Terryuna Nez, junior 5-7 wing/forward, good team leader, hard worker, will surprise teams this year. ... Abigail Benally is being recruited also.

New players and starters you are expecting to step in this year: Abigail Benally, senior guard transfer player. Will fit into our system well. Hard worker, shooter, ball handler. ... Makani Tsipai, junior guard/wing. Hard worker and willing to help and be physical. ... Terryuna Nez, junior wing/forward. Team leader, hard worker good shooter and solid on defense.

Potential stories with team: Like everyone else we are hoping to navigate COVID. We understand there will be setbacks, delays, but are hopeful for a full season once we get started.

Early season evaluation and expectations: Our expectations are to return to the final four and win it. We were there two years ago, and eight returning players have that experience.

Potential approaching milestones: Matehya Aberle could potentially eclipse the 1,000 point mark this year even with a limited schedule.

Final thoughts: We wish everyone a healthy and safe productive season.

Lee Williams High School

Head coach: Jerry Arave.

2019-20 record: 9-9.

Number of years as school's head coach: 5.

Top returning starters: LaNae Burgess, point guard senior 5-3. Outstanding defensive player; team leader in steals, deflections, and drawn charges...Lia Lucero, shooting guard senior 5-7, looks to be among the team leaders in scoring...Savannah Jimenez, small forward senior 5-8. Solid defensive player; gets a lot of steals/deflections; improved scoring...Becca Arave, forward sophomore 5-10. Started as a freshman; leading rebounder in the region: improved scoring.

New players and starters you are expecting to step in this year: Kaitlin Echeverria, forward senior 5-7. Can defend and rebound...Brook Hunter, forward sophomore 6-0. Can add rebounding and defense, balance scoring

Potential stories with team: Senior Lia Lucero has potential to be recruited by small school. She has outstanding academics and is a very dedicated player. Becca Arave is a two-year starter and is only a sophomore. She could lead the 4A Grand Canyon Region in rebounds (she was second last year as a freshman).

Early season evaluation and expectations: We are an outstanding defensive team. We hope to finish 1st or 2nd in our Region, but Flagstaff is always very tough and has won our region for several years in a row.

Mingus Union High School

Head coach: Paul Ventura.

2019-20 record: 0-22.

Number of years as school's head coach: 3.

Overall record at school: 4-42.

Number of years as a head coach: 3.

Overall career record: 4-42.

Top returning starters: Chayce Doerksen, guard-forward senior 6-1. Chayce is a returning all-region player and top scorer for our team. I expect that her points & rebounds per game will increase (double double average). Chayce is versatile and able to play multiple positions. She shoots well from 15 feet out and is exceptional catching difficult passes/getting to the hoop. She's a very good rebounder and good defender. I expect her defense to improve this year and for her to improve on deflections and steals. Chayce is also an excellent team leader and I expect that she will take that role to a higher level and lead her team to many victories...Kobe Madore, guard-forward senior 5-9. Kobe has had injuries throughout her career. I expect that she will make it though the season healthy. She is also moving back to a more natural position for her and will excel at rebounding and playing aggressive defense. Kobe can play 3-4 positions on the floor. She can lead the team in steals and rebounds, as well as points off of rebounds. She is a good passer, great defender and has 100 percent effort every time she steps on the floor...Yazmein Mestas, guard senior 5-7. I expect Yaz to improve her offensive consistency. She is a good outside shooter, that can be steaky. We are focusing on making that a constant. Yaz is a very good defender and uses her speed and quickness to her advantage on both sides of the court. She can get to the hoop well and we will expect her to use al of those skills to help the team win games...Taylor Brock, forward sophomore 6-1. Taylor is a tall, lanky, athletic player. She is very aggressive in all aspects of her game which helps our team on both ends of the court. Taylor is an excellent rebounder and defender. She excels at defending in the open court for a bigger player. Taylor should average a double double in points and rebounds this year. I would also like to see her increase her steals and deflections on the defensive side. Taylor was a freshman last year and I believe she has a newfound confidence that will help her to be very successful and an all-region player this year.

Players being recruited and the schools recruiting them: Chayce Doerksen. Multiple schools have expressed interest and she has an offer from Arizona Christian University.

New players and starters you are expecting to step in this year: Mariana Lopez, junior point guard-shooting guard. Mariana is very adept at running an offense. She works very hard every day to improve her skills and her basketball IQ. It has paid off over the past year and she is an adept ball handler and a very good passer. Her basketball IQ has drastically improved and she is picking things up extremely quickly. She should lead the team in assists and be a very vital part of our defense. She has speed and quickness which helps her on both end of the court...Racheal Odell, junior guard-forward. Racheal has good size and length (5'10 with long arms). She uses her length to her advantage on offense and defense. Racheal can play multiple positions and is a matchup problem on offense. She is a slasher with a good 15-18 foot shot. I expect Racheal to play with some confidence and improve on the defensive side...Jade Bach, junior guard. Jade has demonstrated that she can be a reliable shooter. She is very fast and quick which she uses well on defense. Jade can excel as a defensive player and add points when needed on the offensive end. She will be relied on to play significant minutes to help our team be successful.

Potential stories with team: This has been a difficult year for most/all teams in our state. We have been affected like everyone else. Our overall numbers are down and our coaching staff is doing everything possible to figure out how to make our program successful. We have had to split into cohorts which has been a blessing in disguise. Our varsity program has improved a great deal and have figured out how to play together. We don't necessarily have any big stories, but we have many small stories. We have players that fit every niche that a coach loves to have. One of our players hasn't seen much playing time over the past few years. Emma is a senior and she has continued to put in 100% effort every day. She has never waivered. Emma is also our sarcastic comedy relief when needed. She excels in the classroom and is a vital part of our team. I believe she will have success on the floor for our team this year. She will provide vital minutes when needed and she will always be a positive and important part of our team. That is something that I hope starts as a small story and ends up as a big story for our program by the end of the season.

Early season evaluation and expectations: I am happy with the progress that our team has made. After a disappointing season last year, it would have been easy for many of them to give up on the idea of success. We have taken a winning mindset as a team and have focused on improving our fundamentals as well as our basketball IQ. They have worked at that and are able to pick more advanced basketball strategies up quickly. We are ahead of where we were in the past two seasons prior to our first game. Without scrimmages it's tough to know how this will translate to competition, but they show a tenacity and willingness on defense and patience and knowledge on offense. With some confidence and leadership, we should win a lot of games this season. Our expectation is to have a winning record and to compete to win the Grand Canyon Region.

Approaching program or coaching milestones: I was the 4th coach in 6 years for our program. We knew that the first couple of years would be a growing period where a new philosophy and culture needed to be instilled. My predecessor was starting that change, but I am a bit different and change is difficult. Our program has not had a winning season in 12 years. This is something I hope to help change this season. We have the talent and depth to be able to compete in every game we play. As a coach, this is a year that I would expect to see a change in our overall performance and the win/loss record. We need program consistency and that is something that I am attempting to institute. We also need a program identity and this year's team has taken on the coaching philosophy and identity that me and my coaching staff have been teaching. We will be an aggressive and effective defensive team with efficient and well run offense.

Winslow High School

Head coach: Jerron Jordan.

2019-20 record: 20-10.

Number of years as school's head coach: 11.

Overall record at school: 212-89.

Number of years as a head coach: 10.

Overall career record: 400-96.

Top returning starters and expectations: Kristin Wagner, senior guard. All 3A East Region, 3A East Defensive Player of Year...Kylie Begay, junior guard. All 3A East Region, All State...Oniah Barton Paddock, senior guard. All 3A East Region...Sierra Singer, senior post. All 3A East Region.

New players and starters you are expecting to step in this year: Shaelene Singer, sophomore guard. Defensive specialist...Jaci Gonnie, freshman guard. Ballhandler...Jayleigh Meyrs, junior post. Rebounder.

Any big or small stories we can write this season about your players and or coaches?

Early season evaluation and expectations: My team is making good progress and the team chemistry has been good. I am honored to coach the 2020-2021 WHS Lady Bulldogs and to have my coaching staff back that includes: Erick Petranovich-Assistant Varsity Head Coach; Janeen Barton-Junior Varsity Head Coach, and Jennifer Yazzie-Freshman Head Coach.

Chino Valley High School

Head coach: Matt Dunn.

2019-20 record: 6-12.

Number of years as school's head coach: 1.

Overall record at school: 6-12.

Overall career record: 6-12.

Top returning starters, expectations and skills: Melissa Soto, 5-4 senior guard. Ballhandler, shooter...Lindsey tenBerge, 5-8 senior forward. Defensive leader, true athlete...Arley Tucker, 5-6 senior forward. Hard working defensive leader...Abigail Polacek, 5-7 junior forward. Ballhandling, outside shooter.

New players and starters you are expecting to step in this year: Marla Olson, senior guard. Ball handling, shooting...Anna Olson, sophomore guard. Contributes defensive skills and ball handling...Baylee Perkins, freshman forward. Contributes rebounding and overall hustle.

Early season evaluation and expectations: We are going to be quicker than we were last season. Our players have really worked on their shooting and team chemistry. Obviously, we want to have a great season and go deep into the playoffs. Realistically, I would love to see growth each and every time the girls take the court. Hopefully, the season does move forward, to give these athletes the opportunity to enjoy their senior season which they have worked so hard for.

Sedona Red Rock High School

Head coach: Dr. Kirk Westervelt.

2019-20 record: 16-7.

Number of years as school's head coach: 2.

Overall record at school: 16-7.

Number of years as a head coach: 12.

Overall career record: 194-23.

Top returning starters, expectations and skills: Stephanie Medel, forward 5’10” junior. Rim-runner who was all-conference as a sophomore...Nyah Valdez, guard 5’7” junior. Three-point specialist who was all-conference as a sophomore...Helen Westervelt, point guard 5'11" sophomore. Ambidextrous, skilled playmaker who was all-state honorable mention as a freshman and can make all-conference...Annabelle Cook, point and shooting guard 5'3" sophomore. Shutdown defender, team leader vocally...Rachel Roderick, center 6'2" freshman. Great length as post defender and can stretch the defense by hitting outside three-point shots.

New players you are expecting to step in this year: Mayra Parra-Landaverde, sophomore point and shooting guard. Great defender, was a member of my 30-1 junior high team in 2018-2019...Leah Pedersen, sophomore guard. Great shooter and ball handler off the bench...Hannah Lanchbury, junior guard. “The Microwave" coming off the bench. Instant offense and not afraid to shoot the ball in clutch situations.

Stories this season: Returning state playoff team from last year with 4 starters and incoming 6’2” freshman. Should contend with Valley Lutheran for conference title.

Early season evaluation and expectations: It’s hard to tell with no games or scrimmages due to pandemic but expectations are a conference title and state playoff berth. Come out and watch the Lady Scorpions if you like exciting and up-tempo basketball 🏀.

Round Valley High School

Head coach: Cheryl Tysseling.

Early season evaluation and expectations: We have four returning seniors and several underclassmen. I am expecting them to do well. This is my first year coaching and I feel like we are building the girls program at this time.

Bullhead City Mohave High School

Head coach: Corey Heath.

2019-20 record: 14-15.

Number of years as a head coach: 1.

Overall career record: 14-15.

Top returning starters, expectations and skills: Alyssa Heath, two guard junior 5’7”. Leading scorer in conference, pure scorer, committed to Embry Riddle University...Kylee Heath, point guard senior 5’7”. Floor general with good defense...Jonni Johnson, power forward senior 5’10”. Two way player, great rebounder, may lead the region in rebounding...Hannah Burgess, center senior 5’11”. Great rebounder and shot blocker...Arie Beck, 5'7" small forward. Brings a lot of hustle.

Early season evaluation and expectations: I think we will compete well in the Grand Canyon Region. A goal is to make the playoffs and win games.

Snowflake High School

Head coach: Joe Clare.

2019-20 record: 22-8.

Number of years as a head coach: 3.

Overall career record: 27-20

Top returning starters, expectations and skills: Trystan Hancock, point guard senior 5-5. Has speed, ball handling and shooting...Emily Davis, center junior 5-10. Could be best center in 3A...Austin Stratton, guard junior 5-7. Great scorer...Kamri Ballard, forward junior 5-7. Rebounder...Macee Lesueur, forward junior 5-8. Great shooter.

Early season evaluation and expectations: We expect to compete with the top teams in 3A.

Bradshaw Mountain High School

Head coach: Rick Haltom.

2019-20 record: 12-16.

Number of years as school's head coach: 7.

Overall record at school: 80-73.

Number of years as a head coach: 20.

Top returning starters and expectations: Sierra Woolley, 5-9 senior forward. Will be first team all region. Sierra can do everything. She will lead us in all categories...Brinlee Kidd, 5-5 senior guard. She can be first team all region and has great ball handling...Kendal Newton, 5-5 junior guard. She can also be first team all region. She is a great passer, and can see the floor well...Kacie Clinton, 5-8 junior forward. She can be second team all region. Great rebounder and defender...Ellie Bennett, 5-7 sophomore guard. Contributes defense and is a rebounder. She can also be second team all region.

Stories this season about your players: Highest GPA among all sports at Bradshaw, 3.874. Shannon Moore has been accepted to several colleges including University of Cal- Berkeley. Brinlee Kidd is possibly going to Harvard and has been accepted to several universities. Sierra Woolley is possibly going to the University of Hawaii.

Early season evaluation and expectations: We only lost one senior last year and we have four starters returning. We think we will be pretty good.