For the first time since the Arizona Interscholastic Association started using PowerPoints to rank teams, the Morenci Boys Hoops squad is ranked #1.
The Wildcats have a season record of 14-5. They are 11-1 in powerpoint games and 8-0 in the 2A East. Morenci hasn’t won a conference tournament since 1978.
Head Coach Patrick Hepper, in his 5th season, has compiled a career record of 78-51 as of January 21st.
“It’s extremely gratifying to be here right now. I’m happy for the team, community, the school, everyone that has been a part of it. We have a long ways to go to accomplish our bigger goals of winning a conference championship and competing for a state championship,” said Hepper. I don’t think a lot of people would ever believe Morenci would be ranked #1 in basketball at any point, but it’s all the work we put in and the vision the athletic department and coaching staff has had since day one.”
The Wildcats are led by 6’10” senior John Olmsted. He averages 18 points and 15 rebounds per game. Senior PG Jordan Leonord adds nearly 14 points per game.
Leonard is just 46 points away from scoring 1,000 career points. Olmsted needs just 67 points to reach that mark.
Morenci finishes the season with games at Bisbee, home vs #5 Thatcher, home vs Cobre NM, at Benson and home against Tombstone. The target is squarely on the backs of the Wildcats for the first time this season. Can they turn their Copper roots into a Gold Ball? Only time will tell.
