Buena tops talented pool of Southern Arizona teams

1 Sierra Vista Buena-

Riding the arm of senior Kim Klabough, one of the state's top pitchers, the Colts are the early front-runners to win the ultra-tough 5A Southern Region.

2 Canyon del Oro -

Opponents will not get a break against CDO this year: They will face senior ace Tanya Groff one day and senior ace No. 2 Dana Alcocer the next. No other team in the area has that same advantage.

3 Ironwood Ridge -

Let's see: a nearly impeccable record, a first-place finish at a prestigious tournament in Mesa, a win over last year's No. 2-ranked team in the nation and a surplus of talent. This team is scary-good.

4 Sabino -

At the Dorado Classic, the Sabercats outscored their opponents 50-3. That doesn't bode well for 4A Kino Region foes, who were 0-15 against Sabino in 2004.

5 Flowing Wells -

Five incredibly talented seniors graduated from last year's 5A Southern championship team, and then its coach took another job. Some uncertainties exist for the Caballeros, but not many.

6 Salpointe Catholic -

The Lancers have holes to fill from a stellar 2004 lineup, but ace Lia Lara solidifies the pitching circle. Last week's 3-0 victory over defending 5A champ Glendale Deer Valley was a big plus.

7 Sahuaro -

The Cougars lost their star pitcher (transfer) and legendary coach (retirement) in the off-season. Just when a drop in performance seemed inevitable, they have risen to the challenge thus far.

Dana Alcocer, Sr., Canyon del Oro; Ashley Aldrich, Sr., Sahuarita; Marisela Alvarez, Soph., Rincon/University; Krista Bour, Sr., Pusch Ridge Christian; Ashley Bryan, Sr., Mountain View; Kelly Carpenter, Soph., Ironwood Ridge; Chelsea Cohen, Sr., Sabino; Kristal Curnett, Sr., Canyon del Oro; Valerie Dean, Jr., Sahuaro; Sarah Dittiger, Jr., Cienega; Amanda Duran, Sr., Salpointe Catholic; Rachelle Federico, Soph., Flowing Wells; Jalyssa Gasmen, Jr., Flowing Wells; Kayleigh Gates, Soph., Sunnyside; Valerie George, Sr., Sabino; Tanya Groff, Sr., Canyon del Oro; Alicia Hunolt, Sr., Ironwood Ridge; Molly Johnson, Jr., Sabino; Kacy King, Sr., Sahuarita; Kim Klabough, Sr., Sierra Vista Buena; Brittany Koehler, Jr., Ironwood Ridge; Lia Lara, Sr., Salpointe Catholic; Sylvia Leon, Jr., Marana; Aly Lopez, Jr., Salpointe Catholic; Courtney Mall, Sr., Canyon del Oro; Cassie McCommons, Jr., Sunnyside; Alisha McGhee, Sr., Desert Christian; Michelle McLain, Sr., Ironwood Ridge; Jessica McNamara, Sr., Sahuaro; Sandy Meadows, Sr., Sierra Vista Buena; Megan Murray, Sr., Sabino; Kelly Nielson, Sr., Sahuaro; Angelica Nunez, Jr., Desert View; Ashley Ralston, Jr., Catalina Foothills; Kelsey Rokey, Sr., Salpointe Catholic; Leticia Silvain, Sr., Santa Rita; Nicole Smith, Jr., Sierra Vista Buena; Bianca Santa Cruz, Jr., Cholla; Brianna Swift, Soph., Catalina Foothills; Lauren Sabia, Sr., Flowing Wells; Geovana Thompson, Sr., Tombstone.

● 5A SOUTHERN

1, Sierra Vista Buena. 2, Canyon del Oro. 3, Flowing Wells. 4, Salpointe Catholic. 5, Sahuaro. 6, Mountain View. 7, Tucson.

● 4A KINO

1, Sabino. 2, Catalina Foothills. 3, Desert View. 4, Pueblo. 5, Cienega. 6, Douglas. 7, Palo Verde. 8, Amphitheater.

● 4A SONORAN

1, Ironwood Ridge. 2, Sunnyside. 3, Santa Rita. 4, Rincon/University. 5, Cholla. 6, Marana. 7, Nogales. 8, Catalina.