Entering the 2011-2012 season, Head Coach Mark Showers may start the same four players he has the last two seasons, a luxury in high school basketball these days.
This summer, the Camp Verde High School girls basketball team began its schedule Monday, June 6, at home playing host to cross-valley rivals Mingus Union and Sedona Red Rock high schools. Results were unavailable at press time.
At practice last week, the same old group, including juniors Amanda Showers, Donnie Buss and Katie Wilson, were in the gymnasium along with senior center Lila Hickey.
The four Cowboy standouts have had quite a run the last few years, most recently finishing 25-4 overall in 2010-2011.
Camp Verde qualified for the 2A conference state playoffs in February and defeated Benson High School in round one, 50-36.
In round two, the Cowboys had a tough time stopping Pima High School, which ended Camp Verde’s season, 41-40.
“We had a good year last season. I’m excited to get the kids back in the gymnasium,” Showers said. “The kids had a few practices last week, and now it’s time to play some games.”
The Cowboys return almost everyone this summer from last year except two seniors, Taylor Phillips and Viv Lucero, who graduated in May.
The senior class for this coming season includes Hickey, guard Mayra Perez and guard Tori Mathews. As for the juniors, Amanda Showers, Buss, Wilson and guard Shelby Mulcaire lead the way.
After making the varsity squad her freshman year, Marissa Flores is back this summer to get things going for her sophomore campaign.
Sophomore Maddy Showers also joins the Cowboys this June looking to improve her skills on the court.
The Cowboys have four Monday night leagues, which began Monday, June 6, in Camp Verde. The Cowboys will travel to Flagstaff and play at Coconino High School on Monday, June 13, and will be at Sedona on Monday, June 20. Monday, June 27, the Cowboys will play at Mingus.
“The Monday night league is subject to change. But it sounds like it’s a go,” Mark Showers said.
Friday, June 10, the Cowboys will play two games at Prescott High School against Kingman and Bradshaw Mountain high schools.
To end the summer, Showers and his bunch will travel to San Diego to participate in the Point Loma Invitational at Point Loma Nazarene University. The tournament runs Friday through Sunday, June 24 to 26.
