Tombstone lost three starters to graduation: Bernie Gonzales, Jeanette Almada and Birttany Sykes. But Bunnell said he’s confident in the girls preparing to fill those spots.
“We’ve got a lot of returning players,” Bunnell said. “Besides those six seniors, we’ve got Lillian Thompson who will give us some good minutes, and there’s Cheyenne (Soto), who’s got a nice, pure shot.”
 Tombstone’s Lillian Thompson goes through drills with the Lady Yellowjackets Tuesday. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review) |
Laurie Devere will return for her senior season after leading the team in scoring last year. Other returning seniors include guard Cheri Aitken, Joanna Castro, who Bunnell said will be an asset on defense, solid shooter Natanya Lund, Katie Young who is still recovering from an ACL injury she sustained last season, and Antonia Bell, who attended Tombstone her sophomore year, transferred and came back for her final campaign.
Junior Samantha Stratton, up from junior varsity, will help fill out the roster.
Aj’ha Edwards, a newcomer to the Tombstone program from Sierra Summit Academy, last played basketball in seventh grade when she attended Apache Middle School. Bunnell said the 6-foot-3 junior is getting back into the sport quickly.
Edwards said she has an issue with the bone in one of her knees, making running up and down a gym floor an excruciating experience at times.
“It’s painful,” Edwards said. “I came to a new school and just wanted to play.”
Another newcomer to the Yellowjackets roster is Shamara Flowers, who moved to Tombstone from New York.
Tombstone finished last season at 4-17, and Aitken said she’s hoping to improve on that to end her last season with the team on a high note.
“I’m looking forward to the team,” she said. “The seniors have all played together these four years, and academically we’re all in great shape. It being my last year, I want to prove I can live up to my potential and be a leader for the team.”
Senior Laurie Devere sees potential in the connection between the team members this season.
“We all get along so great,” she said. “We have a really young team, and that will be good for the future. I think our seniors have a really great bond and we’ll be tough this year.”
Devere is already looking toward graduation and checking out places to play basketball collegiately. She said she’s going to stay in state, preferably close to home. Right now, she has her eye on Eastern Arizona College.
Tombstone is set to scrimmage against Valley Union at 5 p.m. on Friday.
HERALD/REVIEW sports reporter Liz Manring can be reached at 515-4682 or by e-mail at liz.manring@svherald.com.
