LOCAL GLANCE (Feb. 20): JUCO basketball, baseball, softball, prep soccer, youth football

JUCO Women's basketball
AWC falls to South Mountain

The chances of the Arizona Western women’s basketball team hosting a playoff game took a serious hit Tuesday in a 66-57 loss at South Mountain.

The Matadors (22-7 overall, 14-5 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) entered the night a game behind Cochise with two left. The loss greatly narrows the window to catch the No. 2 Apaches and host the NJCAA Region I Division I final.

The Cougars (17-12, 8-11) closed the first half on a 18-4 run and never trailed in the second half.

Samantha Wallace led the Matadors with 17 points. Three AWC players fouled out as the Matadors shot 9 for 16 from the free-throw line, compared with 28 of 40 for the Cougars.

“They came out aggressive and unfortunately, we weren’t getting a lot of calls, it made the free-throw shooting disproportionate and it hampered our ability to come back,” coach Patrick Cunningham said. “With that said, though, we didn’t come out with a lot of enthusiasm, and we have to work on that if we’re going to get to where we want to go.”

JUCO Men’s basketball
AWC cruises past Cougars

Marvin Whitt scored 20 points and Carlos Perez added 14 as the Arizona Western men’s basketball team topped South Mountain 64-56 on Tuesday.

The Matadors (24-5, 19-2) led 30-27 at halftime after six ties and six lead changes in the first half. The Cougars (13-16, 7-14) never led in the second half.

“We had 11 turnovers in the first half, but only five in the second half,” coach Charles Harral said. “I told them at halftime that if they just took better care of the basketball and didn’t panic, they could win this game. Plus, our defense really was the key, and it was certainly helped by Marvin and Carlos making shots early.”

The win keeps the Matadors tied with Cochise for first in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Region I Division I playoffs. Central faces Phoenix College in the finale Friday, while AWC goes to Mesa. The Thunderbirds are a game behind AWC and could take over the No. 2 seed with a win over the Matadors.

JUCO SOFTBALL
Roman’s homer helps AWC split

Alex Roman hit a three-run home run in the first game of the Arizona Western softball team’s doubleheader split at Glendale.

The Matadors won 6-2 before losing 8-5.

JUCO BASEBALL

AWC splits at Eastern

The Arizona Western baseball team split its doubleheader against Eastern Arizona in Thatcher on Tuesday, winning 2-1 and losing 4-3.

Brandon Anderson (2-0) allowed one earned run in six innings. Omar Celaya picked up his second save for the Matadors (10-7 overall, 2-2 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference). Dallas Hessler had a triple and an RBI, and Hector Valenzuela went 2 for 4.

The Matadors dropped the nightcap despite two hits each from Valenzuela and Hessler — who picked up another two RBIs. The Matadors led 2-1 after three and the game was tied after five. The Gila Monsters (9-7, 2-2) got the go-ahead run in the sixth off Mike Rosenkrantz (0-1).

PREP SOCCER
Ruiz named player of the year

Yuma Catholic freshman Jorge Ruiz was named the AIA Division I Section II Player of the Year.

Shamrocks coach Ralph Evans was the coach of the year. Fernando Ramirez and Hector Cha earned spots on the second team.

Yuma Catholic was 6-5-1 this season after a 4-8 showing the year before.

YOUTH FOOTBALL
League hosting final registration

Catch & Go Flag Football League will be holding a last-chance opportunity to sign up for the 2013 flag football season.  

Registration will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Agua 2000, 1931 S. Arizona Ave.  

A fee of $85 will be required.