(Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

 

Flowing Wells went undefeated at the Holiday Shootout this week but the Caballeros were pushed to the limit by Pueblo in the championship final late Thursday night. Flowing Wells was up with a comfortable 58-51 lead with about 1:13 left in the game but back-to-back 3-pointers from Sara Galindo and Victoria Cazares put the outcome in doubt with the Warriors having three chances to either take a lead or tie the game down the stretch, including three attempts in the final moments.

A last second shot missed the mark and the Caballeros survived an incredible game that might be a preview of what spectators will see this year in the 4A Kino Region that includes Flowing Wells, Pueblo, Salpointe, Sahuaro and Canyon del Oro. Flowing Wells was the 5A runner-up last year, Salpointe was the 4A state champion, Sahuaro made it to the semifinal round in 2021, after making it to the championship final in 2020, and the Warriors made it to the 4A championship game in 2018. The Dorados are in a rebuilding mode this year under first-year coach Chris Garcia.

Sahuaro (9-0), Pueblo (9-0) and Flowing Wells (7-0) are undefeated in power-ranking games but region play begins on Tuesday, Jan. 3 with the initial set of AIA rankings set to be released on Jan. 5.

In the final, Flowing Wells senior Ayanna DeJesus led all scorers with 18 points, senior guard Navine Mallon added 14, senior Sydney Capen scored 11, junior Kyla Bailey scored 10 and Nevaeh Urenda scored eight.

Pueblo was led by 18 from Cazares, 15 from sophomore Sara Galindo and 10 from senior Sandra Perez.

Sunrise Mountain beat Mesa 54-28 in the third place game and Rio Rico beat Cienega in the consolation final 56-51.

(Flowing Wells Graphic)