Sophomore Breaks Girls’ Basketball Record

by Christopher Santa Cruz

America Cazares

The Pueblo Warriors girls’ basketball team recently defeated the Palo Verde Titans 101-16 with superstar player sophomore America Cazares setting a new school record with 59 points in a single game.

Cazares went 14-20 from the field with an impressive 10 of those shots being three-pointers. She was able to grab eight rebounds, one assist and nine steals during the game.

“Honestly, I didn’t know I was going to break the record,” Cazares said. “I just played my game, although I got subbed-out during the fourth quarter.”

The previous school record was held by Alicia Reyes, who scored 57 points during the 2015-16 season against the Cholla Chargers under the current head coach Ismael “Izzy” Galindo.

This season’s Warriors scored another 100+ points during a game against the Empire Ravens on Dec. 17; the final score: 101-32.

“Before the game, I was very relaxed and confident knowing we were facing a weaker team,” Cazares said.

Galindo said, “I didn’t know America [Cazares] was going to break the school record. I just remember she was in the high 40’s at about the end of the third quarter. Then before I could take her out during the fourth quarter, I learned that she had broken the record.”

With all these early accomplishments in Cazares’ high school career, she plans on continuing her basketball career playing at the collegiate level.

Alicia Reyes Breaks State Record

America Cardenas Pueblo El Guerrero

By America Cardenas

Pueblo Basketball Player Alicia Reyes Breaks Arizona Record For 3 Pointers Made In A Game
Alicia Reyes (Center) holds scorebook showing the 17 3-Pointers she made to break record.

On January 27, Pueblo’s Girls’ Basketball team enjoyed a colossal win over Cholla with a final score of 98-11. Another victorious moment that night was sophomore Alicia Reyes, Class of 2018, setting a new state record.

Reyes made 17 three-pointers during the game (for a total of 51 points in just three-pointers!) and ended up scoring a total of 57 points, topping the previous Southern Arizona high of 54 made by another Warrior, Angela Lopez, set in the 2007-08 season.

“She [Reyes] is my shooter, she is my best shooter!” exclaimed Coach Ismael Galindo.

The previous record of three-pointers made in a single game was 14 set last season by a Phoenix Sierra Linda High School student, Janae Gonzales.

“When I hit the record breaking three-pointers, I could not stop smiling,” Reyes said. “I could see my teammates cheering for me, and it was a great feeling!”

Reyes tied the national record of 17 three-pointers that was set by Rebecca Greenwell from Kentucky back in January 2013.

“I want to break the national record!” Reyes exclaimed. “That would definitely be something to talk about for a long time!”

One of the team’s greatest games this season was their matchup against the Safford High School Bulldogs; that evening, the Warriors girls’ basketball team broke that team’s 24-consecutive winning streak.

The girls’ basketball team ended the regular season with a final record of 22-3, going undefeated in their section. They need the support of the Pueblo community when they take on the Casa Grande Cougars in the second round of sectional playoffs on Thursday, February 11.

Ruben Canastillo Breaks Football Record

During the football game versus the Cholla Chargers, senior Ruben Canastillo broke the record for longest interception return for a touchdown.  Ruben intercepted a pass on the 2 yard line and took it 98 yards for the score.

The previous record was held by Charles Quihuis (Bowerman) 1971 & Robert Greene (Bowerman) 1975 both for 90 yards.

Here’s the video:

Ruben was very excited to find he had broken the record.  “I just read the quarterbacks eyes and broke on the play,” he said.  He received a plaque and his name will be added to the football record books.

Ruben Canastillo

Congratulations to Ruben!  The question is, how long will this record stand?