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Panthers boys’ basketball– The Panthers dropped all three games they played last week in their first action since returning from the holiday break. They lost to Ft. Thomas, St. Johns, and Duncan. It’s their second losing streak of at least three games this season. They lost four-straight in the Copper Cities Tournament at Globe, Dec. 11-12. Freshman Marcos Bueno scored a team-high 14 points in the 66-48 loss to Ft. Thomas on Jan. 6. Ricky Longoria, the Panthers’ leading scorer, finished with 12 points and a team-high four rebounds. Edgar Pacheco had two assists and three steals against the Apaches. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 14 at San Manuel, Jan. 16 vs. Duncan, and 20 vs. Ft. Thomas. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Panthers girls’ basketball– The Lady Panthers have now lost five-straight games after three lopsided losses last week against Ft. Thomas, St. Johns, and Duncan. They lost their last two games before the holiday break to Ray and Hayden. In the three games last week, the Lady Panthers averaged less than 10 points per game, scoring 11 points total against Ft. Thomas and Duncan, and only seven points against St. Johns. They’ve been held to less than 10 points in three games so far this season. Senior Hunter Flanagan had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in the game versus Ft. Thomas. Cierra Navarrette was the Lady Panthers’ leading scorer, finishing with three points. Navarrette and freshman Jalisa Murray each grabbed five rebounds in the game. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 14 at San Manuel, Jan. 16 vs. Duncan, and Jan. 20 vs. Ft. Thomas. All games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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