Bulldogs, Eagles contenders
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – Cactus Shadows is in a weird position entering the 2006‑07 boys basketball season. Normally, the Falcons do not have to worry about the football team’s season going too long, but not this year.

Because of the Falcons’ attempt at winning a state championship in football, a handful of players, including the basketball team’s top two players, won’t be joining the team for a week or two.

Phillip Aholt (12.4 ppg last year) and Kyle Watkins (12.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) are both first team all‑region picks who are returning, but they could miss the first two weeks of games depending on how far the football team goes.

Motivation won’t be tough to find for Cactus Shadows, which got hot at the end of last year but saw their season end in sudden fashion. The Falcons (18‑10 overall) rallied to claim the Wells Fargo 2 Region championship, but were then upset at home in the first round of state.

Northwest Region to be tough in ’06

NORTH VALLEY – The 5A Northwest Region as we know it will change after the season, but the current configuration could go out with a bang.

Local teams O’Connor and Goldwater were two of the best in the region last year, while Boulder Creek adds seniors to its young program.

O’Connor (18‑11 last year) is hoping to advance past the first round of the state tournament with three starters returning. Back in the fold are seniors Curtis Mitchell, Ryan Anderson and Tanner Christman and juniors Ethan Esch and Tyler Kolstedt.

Goldwater has high hopes after going 11‑3 in the Northwest Region to finish second.

Boulder Creek, meanwhile, won only three games in its first varsity season but with four starters and seven lettermen back things look up for coach Adam Wertz. Leading the returners are a trio of seniors–point guard Austin Smith, forward Justin Breeden and forward Tiyo Soga–to go along with junior swingman Mikey Ciombor.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.