5A Contender: Cactus Shadows

After a 20 win and 1 loss AIA record in 2020, Cactus Shadows looks to build on its Final 4 appearance in 5A.  The Falcons were able to use their baseline to baseline defensive pressure force turnovers and get easy buckets in transition.  They forced 17 steals a game in 2020.  They cruised to an undefeated regular season, capturing the Northeast Valley Region by 2 games over Desert Mountain.  They then were able to win a pair of home play-off games vs East Valley contender Williams Field, and Tucson’s best Buena.  Their season would end when they traveled to the second seeded Sunrise Mountain in the Final 4.  It was a shame that the AIA decided to let semifinal games be played at the higher seeds instead of Neutral sites like ASU or GCU.  In the past if you made the Final 4 you got to experience the big courts and arena atmosphere.  The AIA stated that low attendance was the reason for the move to host sites, but one has to wonder if scheduling could have changed that (Monday at 3pm is a tough time to hold a semifinal game).

The Falcons return 70% of their scoring from the 2020 team.  However, none of those players averaged more than 8.5 points a game.  They will need someone to step up and make plays in the half court.  Cactus Shadows does a tremendous job sharing the wealth in transition between whoever is open.   There leading returning scorer is Ella Schott, a 6’0” forward that had 13 double digit games in ’20.  She will need to average double figures for the Falcons to be successful.  She also is the team’s leading returning rebounder.  Her play will be key for Cactus Shadows in ’21.

Next is guard Syrene Sanders.  Her tremendous on the ball defense is the reason that the Falcons were successful in ’20, and will definitely be a force in ’21.  She led the team in steals at over 2 a game in ’20.  Her ability to make guards uncomfortable is uncanny.  She can get under their skin easily and force them into uneasy turnovers.  If she can add a consistent outside shot to her game she will be considered one of the top guards in the state. 

In addition to Schott and Sanders, Cactus Shadows will lean on Sierra Labuwi.  She is a knock down outside shooter.  She made 7 more 3-point shots than 2-point shots in 2020.  Her ability to hit big shots came in key last season and will be needed in 2021.  She will have to extend her range and ability to get up shots this season to make the Falcons successful.      

Other returners include Kaitlyn Elsholz, Kamiyah Hurd, and Ashley Watkins.  All 3 saw playing time in 32 games a year ago.  All 3 will be asked to play large roles in the upcoming season.  They will need to defend in the full court, and score in transition.  If one of them steps into a role of being a consistent scorer, then the sky is the limit for the Falcons.   

One player not mentioned is Madison Wilson.  Injuries derailed her Junior year, only allowing her to see action in 7 games.  She was forced to sit her entire sophomore year due to a transfer from Agua Fria and an issue with prior contact.  She should be eager to show her talents in her senior season as she has had a struggle in the past two seasons.  She could be the X factor this season for the Falcons.

If Cactus Shadows can find a way to a play in the half court the way they play in the full court, they have the ability to be championship team.  Their struggles in the playoffs have been in the half court when the other team is able to handle their press, they get easy buckets.  Also, if the Falcons aren’t able to force turnovers they have struggled to score in the half court.  If they find a fix for this I can see them winning 5A.