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Sahuaro senior guard Cashala Thompson has yet to miss a regular season practice. That’s three years of dedication and hard work. While some leaders attempt to lead with words, Thompson does it the old fashioned way – she leads by example.

“She offers us stability,” said coach Steve Botkin. “She steps out there and the girls follow.”

Many leaders fail because they rely on words but not Thompson. Thompson hit a 3-point basket with 1:24 left in the 1st quarter in the Cougars game against Sunnyside Wednesday night at the Boyd Baker Invitational.

Not only did her shot secure an early lead, the points put her in rare territory.

Only five other Sahuaro players have scored 1,000 points or more: Michelle Vielledent (1989-93) scored 1,408; Kelliann Glowacka (1996-99) scored 1,293; Logan Hall (2004-08) scored 1,227; Katie Bruns (1996-2000) scored 1,218 and Vanessa Lemmon (2002-06) scored 1,184.

Thompson finished the game with 25 points giving her 1,1015 points in her career at Sahuaro. But that total is only for three years plus the two games she has played this year. She has scored 55 points this year. If she maintains half that pace the rest of her senior year then Vielledent’s record will be in reach.

To do that she will need a little help inside. Senior center Rianne Gibson is out with a knee injury until the Flowing Wells tournament after the winter break. Teams will certainly double-team Thompson without Gibson in the lineup. Gibson was seen doing sprints in the main gym during the Sahuaro game and then working out in the new gym during the Salpointe-Palo Verde game.

Sahuaro is also playing without senior guard Rachel Holmes who, like Gibson, suffered a torn ACL. Her prognosis is sometime in the spring.

Sahuaro beat Sunnyside 60-38 in the second round of the Boyd Baker Invitational behind Thompson’s 25 point effort. Chelsey Hunsaker put in 21 and Olivia Harden added 8 points.

Sunnyside was lead by Tori Martinez with 17 points and Vivi Acosta with 16 points.

“I didn’t know I did it when I scored,” said Thompson. “It means a lot to me but we only have four returning players from last year and we pulled up junior varsity players. There will be some frustration but I see my role is to take over when I need to and help calm down the newer players.”

Salpointe beat Palo Verde 53-42 and the Lancers were lead by Illiana Gonzales (20 points) and

Mary White (15). Notably absent from Salpointe’s lineup was All-Star Haley Howell. It will mean a new approach for Salpointe and coach Brian Felix has already begun a team approach this year and it appears to be working.

The Titans were lead by Aquesa Robinson (13 points) and 4A-II player of the year Darian Saunders (12).

Other action included Catalina over CDO 47-37 and Rincon over Cholla 60-34.

I was not able to stay for those two games due to the passing of our family dog Rusty during the Sahuaro game. He was a Sheltie and lived over 16 years. He was at home with my wife and died peacefully. This story is dedicated to him.

2010 Dr. Jaw Salpointe Tip-Off Classic Schedule

Boys

Friday, November 26
Cienega vs. McClintock, 8 am
CDO vs. Chandler, 10:30 am
Rincon vs. Desert Vista, noon
Palo Verde vs. Gilbert Christian 1:30 pm
Sabino vs. Saguaro 3:30 pm
Amphi vs. Red Mountain 5 pm
Buena vs. Central, 6:30 pm
Salpointe vs. North 8 pm

Saturday, November 27
Championship play
9 am – 8 pm

Ironwood Ridge Hardwood Fall Classic

Boys

Friday, November 26
Sunnyside vs. 4th place from Phoenix, 1:30 pm
Flowing Wells vs. 4th place from Phoenix, 3 pm
Sahuaro vs. 3rd place from Phoenix, 4:30 pm
Cholla vs. 3rd place from Phoenix, 6 pm
Foothills vs. 2nd place from Phoenix, 1:30 pm
Nogales vs. 2nd place from Phoenix, 3 pm
Catalina vs. 1st place from Phoenix, 4:30 pm
Ironwood Ridge vs. 1st place from Phoenix, 6 pm

Sahuaro-Boyd Baker Tournament

Girls

Friday, November 26
Playoff Games
10 am – 6:30 pm

Saturday, November 27
Playoff Games
10 am – 2:30 pm

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