by 
San Manuel 8th Grade Boys Basketball Team
The San Manuel Jr. High boys’ basketball team saved its best for last, winning the CJHL Basketball Championship after entering the tournament as the No. 5-seed.
The Miners defeated San Carlos in the opening round 54 – 18 before facing top-seeded and undefeated Miami in the second round. The Jr. Vandals minimum margin of victory during the regular season was 14 points.
San Manuel’s Jose Moreno recorded a double-double – 18 points, 10 rebounds – in addition to finishing with four assists, four steals, and a block as the Miners turned the tables on Miami, defeating the Vandals, 52 – 40.
Javier Tamayo tied Moreno with a game-high 18 points to go along with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Caleb Quintero ruled the glass, pulling down a game-high 24 rebounds against the Vandals and helping the Miners advance to the CJHL Championship versus Mountain Vista. Quintero also contributed four assists, two steals, and four blocks.
Ben Laguna added seven points, 14 rebounds, three assists, five steals, and two blocks. Elvis Mejia had three rebounds, six assists, and a game-high seven steals. Cesar Guerrero and Able Aguirre combined for six rebounds, seven assists, and steals in the winning effort.
In the championship game, the Miners defeated Mountain Vista 33 – 26 behind Laguna’s double-double – 11 points, 13 rebounds – and Quintero’s five points and 22 rebounds. Laguna also had four steals and five assists in the title game.
Moreno finished with nine points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Tamayo contributed six points and three rebounds. Mejia added two points and six assists.
San Manuel head coach Fernando Garibay thanked all of the fans who believed in and supported the team through every obstacle and triumph. He also thanked the San Manuel Jr. High School cheerleaders, who cheered the team to victory and devoted their time to support the team and keep spirits alive during each and every game. And the coaches, David Yonkin and Manny Laguna, who volunteered their time to teach fundamentals, encourage teamwork and sportsmanship and help produce champions. And finally his team, a group of hardworking young men, whom without any of this would not be possible.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by