Morenci’s Leonard voted 2A South Coach of the Year/Chavez Defensive Player of the Year

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

MORENCI – Days before the Wildcats are set to take on the No., 2-ranked Arizona Lutheran Coyotes in the second round of the 2A State Championship Tournament, Morenci’s team has been recognized for its excellence in the 2A South Region with coach Ruben Leonard named Region Coach of the Year and Noah Chavez as Region Defensive Player of the Year. 

2A South Region Coach of the Year

Rueben Leonard led the Morenci Wildcats to an unbeaten 9-0 2A South Region record and 24-3 overall, including a 58-42 opening-round home playoff victory over Horizon Honors on Tuesday. He is the 2A South Region Coach of the Year.

If the Wildcats want to advance to the semifinals at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, they will have to get past the No. 2 ranked Arizona Lutheran Coyotes at their own den on Saturday, Feb. 22, starting at 6 p.m.  

2A South Region Defensive Player of the Year

Noah Chavez 

2A South All-Region 1st Team

Aymen Abduqader, Christopher Lopez – Morenci

Caden Hooper – Willcox

2A South All-Region 2nd Team

Abraham Cortez – Morenci

J.D. Whetten – Willcox

2A South All-Region Honorable Mention

Yedidia Laputa, Adrian McCabe, Adrian McCallum – Morenci

Emiliano Chavez, Jahir Reyes, Jovani Rodriguez, Ty Shull – Willcox

2A East All-Region 1st Team

Keegan Corona – Pima

Deray Mathis – Miami

Leandro Simbolo – San Carlos – Leandro was also named the 2A East Offensive Player of the Year

2A East All-Region 2nd Team

Preston Russell – Pima

Keshawn Browning – San Carlos

2A East All-Region Honorable Mention

Rhett Hughes, Joel Mattice, Charlie Richardson – Pima

Raejon Way – Miami

Herschel Thompson – San Carlos