Michael Perez Heading To St. Johns [Updated]

The Arizona Daily Star is reporting the following:

Former Pueblo High School guard/forward Michael Perez was extended an offer by St. John’s, a Big East school, while playing for the Compton Magic during a tournament in Long Beach, Calif., this week.

Perez verbally committed to play for the Red Storm this fall, a program that is now coached by former UCLA head man Steve Lavin.

“Two weeks ago I was thinking I was heading to a junior college,” said Perez, who averaged 29.9 points at Pueblo as a senior. “But I’ve been playing well, and I thought I’d wait just a little longer to decide, see if anyone else would offer.

“Now I’m in a daze. It’s always been my dream to play D-I college basketball.”

Congratulations to Michael Perez.

Update:

August 22, 2010
Compton Magic combo choses UTEP
By Van Coleman van@hoopmasters.com
Tim Floyd and his UTEP staff received some immediate help from 6-3 combo guard Mike Perez who committed on his visit…

We received a heads-up from our own Etop UdoEma, and the director of the Compton Magic told us that his graduating senior combo guard 6-3 Mike Perez from Tucson, AZ Pueblo High has decided to sign a grant-in-aid with UTEP.

“I’m a UTEP Miner,” Mike Perez told Hoopmasters Sunday afternoon.

He has the tools to make an impact at UTEP this fall and became available coutesy of the clearinghouse according to Coach UdoEma.

“You will remember he exploded on the scene this summer and suddenly committed to Steve Lavin and St John’s,” UdoEma explained. “There were minor hold ups on his transcript with the clearinghouse that officially cleared up last week making him eligible for this up coming year.”

“But, with St Johns out of the picture there have been many schools jumping in last minute to secure his services for this year.”

He was scheduled to visit UTEP and Rhode Island, Coach UdoEma told Hoopmasters. But, now that he has decided to attend UTEP he won’t take any other visits.”

Perez is a super athletic combo guard who plays way above the rim off the dribble, has range to the arc and the ball skills to play either spot in college. He has a big time motor and averaged 30 points per game last year for Tucson Pueblo High. Look for him to add some instant firepower for the Miners this fall.

Jerri-Lynn Kincade 400M State Champion

To cap off a successful track career at Pueblo, Jerri-Lynn Kincade saved the best for last.

Jerri-Lynn became a state champion by winning the 400M Dash at 2010 Track & Field State Competition with at time of 58.60. She edged out Desert View sprinter Lilian Martinez by .67 of a second.

Jerri-Lynn (2nd From Left) with members of the 4X100 Team

Congratulations Jerri-Lynn! Thanks for representing Pueblo on the track and in the classroom. Jerri-Lynn was also Class of 2010 Valedictorian.

Here are the final results:

For video of 2010 Track Season and see Jerri-Lynn in the 100M Click Here.

George Arias Returns To Pueblo

George Arias, class of 1990, stopped by Pueblo today to speak to some student-athletes.

George is the only Pueblo Warrior to play baseball in the Major Leagues. In fact, Pueblo won the 4A State Baseball Championship in 1990.

After attending the University of Arizona he was drafted by the California Angels. He then went on to play for the San Diego Padres before playing professionally in Japan.

George was a guest of Curly SantaCruz as part of his mentoring program.

It’s always nice when Pueblo Alumni return and share their experiences with our current Warriors.

Wrestler Nick Gonzalez Wins State Championship

Nick Gonzales was our only Wrestling State Champion during the 2009-2010 season. Nick finished with a 47-1 record and won many tournaments on his way to the state title.

We asked him to summarize his feeling about the season:

It feels good to win state! It’s been my goal ever since I joined this sport. Now that I have a state title, it makes me feel like I’m one of the best wrestlers in Arizona.

Nick Gonzalez On The Podium
Nick Gonzalez on the podium

Season Highlights:

1st Place At William Bell Tournament

1st Place At Moon Valley Tournament

1st Place At Flowing Wells Tournament

1st Place At Salpointe Invitational

1st Place At Regionals

Nick Gonzalez Wins State Championship
Nick Gonzalez receiving 1st Place Plaque

Congratulations to Nick on a dominant season!

Photos taken by Shani Coca.

Michael Perez Recognized As Player Of The Year

Courtesy of TucsonCitizen.com
Michael Perez

The TucsonCitizen.com website announced their 2010 Boys Basketball High School All-Stars and recognized Senior Michael Perez as their Player Of The Year for the 4A I Division.

He was also named to the First Team All- Conference. Congratulations to him and the basketball team for a great season.

Here are some of Michael’s 2009-2010 Season Highlights:

Averaged 29.9 pts. per game
Michael Perez concluded the season as the leading scorer in the state of Arizona among big schools [4A/5A].

McDonald’s All-American Finalist

1st Team – All Southern Arizona Tucson Citizen

Sonoran Region “Player-of-the-Year” Tucson Citizen

Sonoran Region “Player-of-the-Year” Sonoran Region Coaches

Southwest Rotary Classic All-Tournament Team
Cibola High School [Yuma, AZ.]
116 total pts. [4 games]

Alvarez Tire All-Tournament Team
Bradshaw Mountain High School [Prescott Valley, AZ.]
Tournament Scoring Record
45 pts. v. Moon Valley
162 total pts. [5 games]

Most Valuable Player
2009-2010 Pueblo Varsity Basketball

Warrior Wrestlers Win 8th Straight

Over the weekend our Wrestling Warriors won their 8th Straight, count them 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, Region Championship at Flowing Wells High School. We almost come to expect this from our wrestlers!

We had 8 champions, 1 runner-up, four 3rd Place and one 4th place finishers. We qualified 13 of 14 wrestlers for the individual state tournament this coming Thursday and Friday in Prescott, AZ. We are currently ranked 3rd in state in 4A I and we have a strong opportunity to win the State title on February 20th!

Region Champions
8th Straight Region Champions

Region Champions
119 – Angel Felix
125 – Alex Valdez
130 – Gerry Ramirez
135 – Raymond Almader
140 – Nick Gonzalez
160 – Carlos De La Vara
189 – Martin Aguayo
215 – Stefan Park

2nd Place
Heavyweight – Esau Moreno.

3rd Place
103 – Alvaro Gallego
145 – Arnold Gutierrez
152 – Ismael Lagarda
171 – Jesus Estrada

4th Place
Gabriel Estillore

[Complete Photo Gallery]