Mark Showers was just glad to be there.
The Camp Verde High School athletic director and girls basketball head coach was satisfied with his team qualifying for the Section I and Division IV state tournaments, even though the Cowboys lost by double digits both times.
“I think we accomplished the one goal we had this season, and that was to make the playoffs,” said Showers following a 57-32 loss for his 21st-seeded Cowboys to No. 12 seed Pima High School at the Prescott Valley Events Center. “They were just bigger and stronger than us.”
Senior guard Gabby Ontiveros was the leading scorer for CVHS in her final game Friday, Feb. 19, “shouldering that responsibility, as she has all season long,” scoring 15 points, Showers said. “Once they took Gabby out of the picture in the third quarter, we really didn’t have many options after that.”
The Roughriders’ box-and-one defense ended the Cowboys’ hopes despite another strong defensive effort from junior Raiven Alvey and mature performances from freshmen Katrina Poelstra and Tyra Smith, Showers said.
“I’m real happy with Raiven,” he said. “We knew the girls we’re going to have to really play over their heads to win.”
That will need to continue if CVHS is going to return to the state tournament for the third straight year, as incoming seniors Kayla Hackett and Marissa Presmyk will need to fill both post positions.
“We’re going to have to fill all our positions,” Showers said. “Next year, this team is preparing for the future. Two or three years down the line, who knows? It all depends on who comes out.”
Ontiveros’ younger sister, Hope, will be looked to on the perimeter, along with Alvey, Poelstra and Smith. Junior Courtney Yazzie will need to step into the forward spot vacated by junior Nieja Garner, who transferred to South Verde High School.
