MHS winter sports heating up

With teams ranging from rebuilding to contenders for state tournaments, Maricopa High School is launching its winter sports season this week.

Girls’ Basketball

Rashawn Calvert is in her second year of coaching the varsity Rams, coming off a successful 21-9 season that saw them in the 5A playoffs.

While graduating seniors took with them a big chunk of the team’s scoring from last year, juniors and sophomores are stepping up into leadership roles.

“The hard work ethic of this team is what’s going to make us competitive every game,” Calvert said.

Tryouts brought in 45 girls. Calvert said she will have 12 on varsity, with a set 10 on junior varsity and another set 10 for freshmen, and players moving among the three levels.

Among players returning are juniors Brooke Smith, Evone Santiago, Tayler Riley-Coleman and Shakira Gillespie.

“They’re gelling, they’re working things out,” Calvert said. “It’s nice to have players I don’t have to beg to give their all.”

The Rams are strong in chemistry, culture and defense. The coach said they are still discovering individual player strengths as they grow into their roles.

“Last year, they got used to seeing somebody else doing it,” Calver said. “They are getting used to doing it themselves.”

Starting the season with a “phenomenal” Thanksgiving tournament at Desert Edge, Maricopa will play a Christmas tournament in Chula Vista, California, against competition from western states.

“It gives us a different look against different competition and different levels to think about,” Calvert said.

Schedule
Nov. 29-30           Scorpion Shootout, Desert Edge High School
Dec. 3                    at Apollo                              7 p.m.
Dec. 5                    vs Camelback                      7 p.m.
Dec. 6                    at North Canyon                7 p.m.
Dec. 10                 at Siera Linda                      7 p.m.
Dec. 13                 vs Carl Hayden                    7 p.m.
Dec. 17                 at Marana                             7 p.m.
Dec. 19                 vs Independence                 7 p.m.
Jan. 4                     Talking Stick Resort Arena
Jan. 7                     vs Campo Verde                 7 p.m.
Jan. 9                     vs Notre Dame                   7 p.m.
Jan. 17                   vs Higley                              7 p.m.
Jan. 21                   at Casteel                             7 p.m.
Jan. 22                   at Gilbert                             7 p.m.
Jan. 28                   at Campo Verde                 7 p.m.
Jan. 31                   at Williams Field                7 p.m.
Feb. 4                    at Higley                               7 p.m.
Feb. 7                    vs Casteel                              7 p.m.|
Feb. 11                  vs Gilbert                               7 p.m.

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Boys’ Basketball

The Maricopa High School boys’ basketball program has a new head coach and a mostly new varsity team.

Paul Gretkierwicz came from Paradise Honors in Surprise, where he was an assistant four years as the team became state contenders in 2A and then 3A. Earlier, he was an assistant under the same coach at Desert Edge in Goodyear. After moving to Ahwatukee last year, he cast about for a school closer to home and found Maricopa.

“I first came here in March, and we had open gyms and workouts, and I got to know some of the kids,” Gretkierwicz said. “We had a really busy June. We played 20 games in June.”

He said he has just three players with varsity experience. There are additions to this year’s squad with proven athleticism in other sports, such as football standout Ilijah Johnson.

“I knew it was kind of a rebuilding program with not a lot of wins in the win column (2-21),” Gretkeirwicz said.

He plans to run four or five guards on the floor, saying their speed and athleticism could make up for lack of height. Where the Rams do have height, there is little experience. He will be focusing on playing pressure defense, too.

Returning players include junior Steven Forrester and seniors Bryan Pick, Josiah Jackson and Brandon Delemos.

“I’m excited about the sophomores,” Gretkeirwicz said. “That sophomore class has a really bright future, and they’re kind of being thrown into the fire. There will be some growing pangs.”

He is pushing a culture of hard work and good habits.

“Every day we talk about the three C’s,” he said. “That’s classroom, community and court. I’m on grades nonstop, and all the students know it. Playing as a team when it comes to basketball, that’s what our values are. The team is bigger than the player.”

Schedule
Nov. 27 Panthers Hoops Classic, Paradise Honors High School
Dec. 3    vs Apollo                             7 p.m.
Dec. 5    at Camelback                     7 p.m.
Dec. 6    vs North Canyon               7 p.m.
Dec. 10 vs Sierra Linda                   7 p.m.
Dec. 12 at Notre Dame                    7 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Carl Hayden                    7 p.m.
Dec. 17 vs Marana                             7 p.m.
Dec. 19 at Independence                 7 p.m.
Dec. 26 Winter Hoops Shootout, Cactus High School
Jan. 7     at Campo Verde                7 p.m.
Jan. 14   at Williams Field              7 p.m.
Jan. 17 at Higley                               7 p.m.
Jan. 21   vs Casteel                           7 p.m.
Jan. 24   vs Gilbert                           7 p.m.
Jan. 28   vs Campo Verde               7 p.m.
Jan. 31   vs Williams Field              7 p.m.
Feb. 4    vs Higley                             7 p.m.
Feb. 7    at Casteel                             7 p.m.
Feb. 11  at Gilbert                              7 p.m.

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Wrestling

A program that sent five wrestlers to the state tournament is growing in numbers. Coach Erick Fierro said his team is “definitely young.”

The one returning wrestler with state experience is sophomore Gabriel Garcia. While only a couple of the seniors participated last year, they may be set up as leaders strictly based on age because it can be difficult for a 15-year-old to jump into a team-leadership role, Fierro said.

The program this year consists of 30 wrestlers. That includes 10 freshmen and 11 sophomores.

“We’re young, but that’s good,” the coach said. “With all the sophomores, we are hopeful for the next few years.”

The lower weights have the most depth for the Rams, though coaches are still analyzing their wrestlers. Nicholas Mooney, for instance, will likely move up a weight class to 182.

“That’s the beauty of wrestling; it can change at any moment,” Fierro said.

While qualifying athletes for state is a great result, he said his focus is to fill up a varsity roster and keep all his wrestlers academically eligible.

“Last year, every one of our kids stayed eligible,” Fierro said. “That’s one of the biggest things I’m proudest of. That’s a great feeling.”

He credits strong support from parents, who keep the kids well-fed during study hall, create fundraisers and cheer on the wrestlers. Their positive attitudes “help kids push through the grind that is wrestling.”

Schedule
Nov. 26 at Paradise Valley            4 p.m.
Dec. 4    at Campo Verde               4 p.m.
Dec. 6    at Perry (duals) 10 a.m.
Dec. 11 Home meet                         4 p.m.
Dec. 13 Husky Invitational, Horizon
Dec. 18 at Central                            4 p.m.
Dec. 20 at McClintock                    4 p.m.
Jan. 10   Prospector Wrestling Tournament, Apache Junction
Jan. 15   at Willow Canyon            4 p.m.
Jan. 17   Doc Wright Invitational, Winslow
Jan. 22   at McClintock                  4 p.m.
Jan. 23   Home meet                      4 p.m.
Jan. 29   at Horizon                       4 p.m.
Feb. 8    Sectionals
Feb. 13-14    State Tournament

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Girls’ Soccer

A decade ago, Cortney Kellenaers coached the girls’ soccer team at MHS. After 2010, he coached boys’ high school soccer and college soccer and coached club soccer for boys and girls, but he hasn’t been in charge of high school girls since. Until this season.

Saying he was tired of seeing the turnover at the head coach position, Kellenaers agreed to coach both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams for MHS. The feat has required some shifts in the schedule, playing on the same day at the same school as much as possible.

“And I made sure I have a good JV staff,” he said.

Last season, the girls were 9-10-1 overall and struggled in the 5A San Tan Region. But they come back experienced.

“The core of the group is coming back,” Kellenaers said.

Though they are starting the season with key senior Payson Hacker sidelined by a torn ACL, the Rams want to push farther into the post-season. A key is to keep everyone with the same goal in mind.

“The girls are getting along pretty well,” the coach said. “We have so many freshmen coming in, we’re making sure it doesn’t get all clique-y.”

Other seniors include Saneya Cowing, Cassidy Zimmerman, Charity Miller and Savannah Shelabarger. Stand-out junior Jezelle Magallanes is also back.

Schedule
Dec. 3    vs McClintock                    6 p.m.
Dec. 5    at Williams Field               4 p.m.
Dec. 7-12             Coyote Classic, Higley
Dec. 17 vs Agua Fria                         4 p.m.
Jan. 7     vs Sunnyside                      6 p.m.
Jan. 9     at Paradise Valley             4 p.m.
Jan. 14   at Willow Canyon              6 p.m.
Jan. 21   at Sunrise Mountain         4 p.m.
Jan. 24   vs Goldwater                      6 p.m.
Jan. 28   vs Campo Verde                5 p.m.
Feb. 4    vs Higley                              6 p.m.
Feb. 7    at Casteel                             4 p.m.
Feb. 10  at Gilbert                             4 p.m.

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Boys’ Soccer

The MHS boys’ soccer team is regrouping after graduating 12 seniors. This year’s team boasts around 38 players, with 20 on junior varsity.

“We had to bring up a lot of kids, so there are a lot of kids that this is their first year on varsity,” Kellenaers said.

Senior Taylor Russo has been a “solid anchor” at center back since his freshman year. Junior Dakotah Barchus is expected to be an effective utility player. “I can put him anywhere on the field and he’ll be able to be useful.”

Kellenaers said the Rams will be a scrappy team, with impact players available in all grades. Kevin Vasquez was last year as just a freshman.

Last season’s team was 5-14 and was outscored by opponents collectively by 29 goals. So, there is plenty of room to improve.

“A lot of them are excited they made varsity, but the older players are aware they’ve got some work to do,” Kellenaers said.

Gateway Community College, where Kellenaers is an assistant for the men’s soccer program, ended its season in October, and Kellenaers had to jump immediately into the MHS programs.

“There wasn’t a lot of time to prepare,” he said. “But I’m always excited for the challenge.”

Schedule
Dec. 3    vs McClintock                    4 p.m.
Dec. 5    at Williams Field               6 p.m.
Dec. 7-12             Coyote Classic, Higley
Dec. 17 vs Agua Fria                        6 p.m.
Jan. 7     vs Sunnyside                     4 p.m.
Jan. 9     at Paradise Valley            6 p.m.
Jan. 14   at Willow Canyon            4 p.m.
Jan. 21   at Sunrise Mountain       6 p.m.
Jan. 23   at Goldwater                     4 p.m.
Jan. 28   vs Campo Verde               7 p.m.
Feb. 4    vs Higley                             4 p.m.
Feb. 7    at Casteel                             6 p.m.
Feb. 10  at Gilbert                             6 p.m.