If Rob Harrison was a player instead of a coach, this would be his senior season, his grand farewell. There would be no next year.
Harrison took over the Sunnyside boys basketball team four years ago and he has groomed it into one of Tucson's best. He couldn't have done it without the help of some of his four-year starters, such as Jacob Inclan.
But unlike Inclan, Harrison will still be a Blue Devil next season.
“It's going to be tough when these guys graduate, it really is,” Harrison said. “You'd be surprised what some of them sacrifice just to be here on practice at time.”
Inclan and the Blue Devils will march back out to battle on Wednesday for what they hope is not the last time. Sixth-seeded Sunnyside plays No. 19 Peoria Sunrise Mountain at Gila River Arena in Glendale for a spot in Saturday's Division II state semifinals.
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Over the last four seasons, Harrison has seen his team progress from a first-round winner all the way to being a state quarterfinalist in 2015. That makes the objection this year to reach the state's final four, if not more.
The Star caught up with Harrison for a closer look at the last four seasons heading into Wednesday's state quarterfinal game:
2012-13
Record: 19-10
How it ended: No. 24 Sunnyside lost 68-58 to Goodyear Millennium in the second round of the Division I state tournament to close out Harrison's first season with the team.
Star player: Senior forward Raul Castro averaged 19.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Emerging roles: As a freshman, Inclan started every game as a wing player.
By the numbers: Inclan set the foundation for a Blue Devils core averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.6 assists per game, all good for third-best on the team.
Big win: A 73-69 overtime victory at ninth-seeded Phoenix Brophy in the first round of the state tournament.
Coach speak: “I went to an Amphi summer game to watch them play before I took over and I remember thinking, 'These guys can play.' I knew this was going to be my crew.” — Harrison.
2013-14
Record: 19-10
How it ended: The Blue Devils lost 51-44 in overtime against top-seeded Salpointe Catholic in the second round of the Division II state tournament.
Star player: Inclan was voted by the coaches as the section player of the year.
Emerging roles: Sophomores Carlos Lozoya and Cesar Ozuna carved out starting roles after earning minutes as freshman.
By the numbers: Lozoya and Ozuna combined to average 18.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game.
Big win: The Blue Devils defeated Cienega on the road 51-49.
Coach speak: “That was a special group. That was the most impressed with a team I've been, to be that young and to be that successful that year. There were some good teams in our section that year, we were loaded and the boys played their tails off.” — Harrison.
2014-15
Record: 25-6
How it ended: Sunnyside lost to top-seeded Shadow Mountain 67-45 in the Division II state quarterfinals at Gila River Arena.
Star players: Inclan and Santino Duarte, then a sophomore, were tied as the team's leading scorers averaging 13.1 points a game. That allowed Sunnyside's inside-out offense to flourish.
Emerging roles: Duarte became a force inside the paint on both ends and Mikey Silva shined after a move to point guard.
By the numbers: The Blue Devils were 10-1 at home and had five players average at least 8.4 points per game.
Big win: Sunnyside clipped Nogales 48-47 on the road.
Coach speak: “(Silva) made big plays and personally, I think he's the best point guard in the city. He runs the team, and even though he's undersized, he plays with attitude and confidence.” – Harrison
2015-16
Record: 23-5
How it ended: Still to be determined.
Star players: Inclan averages a double-double with 18.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game and Silva continues to be the emotional engine for the Blue Devils.
Emerging roles: Esteban Gutierrez, a senior, was set to begin the season the team's sixth man, but the preseason knee injury to Duarte thrusted Gutierrez into the starting lineup. He has been the Blue Devils best defender. Senior twins Javier Betancourt and Francisco Betancourt come off the bench to give the Blue Devils energy and do a little bit of everything to keep the defense honest.
By the numbers: Over the last four seasons, the seven Blue Devils seniors finished their high school careers 37-4 while playing at home.
Big win: Sunnyside beat Catalina Foothills 59-46 at home.
Coach speak: “These guys are competitive – we fight in practice – but through thick and thin, they have each other's backs and they know that.”
Contact reporter Chuck Constantino at cconstantino@tucson.com or 954-0859. On Twitter: @CConstan3 or @azprepstar
