by 
The conclusion of the football & volleyball seasons means a myriad of media outlets will be honoring players for their performances this year. The increasing success of the teams in and around the Copper Corridor area has resulted in more recognition for local players.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) released postseasons honors, naming All-Conference and All-Region teams in each of the six divisions.
The following is a list of players, by team, who received recognition for their efforts:
SOFTBALL
Ray
AIA 1A Conference Coach of the Year – Rene Pacheco.
AIA 1A Conference Player of the Year – Daniella Hinojos.
AIA 1A Conference Defensive Player of the Year – Tara Loroña.
AIA 1A Conference First Team – Daniella Hinojos, Tara Loroña, Amee Kenyon, Julie Meza.
AIA 1A Conference Second Team – Shelby Yocum, Chelsea Boyd-Flores.
AIA 1A East Region Co-Coach of the Year – Rene Pacheco.
AIA 1A East Region Player of the Year – Daniella Hinojos.
AIA 1A East Region Defensive Player of the Year – Tara Loroña.
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Daniella Hinojos, Tara Loroña, Amee Kenyon, Julie Meza, Chelsea Boyd-Flores.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Shelby Yocum.
Hayden
AIA 1A Conference Second Team – Ahleah Arbizo.
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Ahleah Arbizo.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Julianna Hong, Sarrah Perez, Analecia Cruz.
Superior
AIA 1A Conference First Team – Anisah Cardenas, Lindsay Ketron, Marisa Estatico, Korrina Romero.
AIA 1A Conference Second Team – Makayla Martinez, Marlee Estatico.
AIA 1A East Region Co-Coach of the Year – Alfonso Lopez.
AIA 1A East Region Offensive Player of the Year – Lindsay Ketron.
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Anisah Cardenas, Lindsay Ketron, Marlee Estatico, Korrina Romero, Makayla Martinez.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Marisa Estatico, McKenna Duarte, Danika Bryant, Juliana Navarro.
San Manuel
AIA 2A Conference First Team – Jazmyne Waddell.
AIA 2A South Region Player of the Year – Jazmyne Waddell.
AIA 2A South Region Defensive Player of the Year – Gabriella Estrada.
AIA 2A South Region First Team – Jazmyne Waddell, Gabriella Estrada, Aubrey Encinas, Beatrice Gomez, Samantha Waddell.
AIA 2A South Region Second Team – Taya Dockum, Estrella Chavez, Adrianna Ivy, Victoria Zazueta.
AIA 2A South Region Honorable Mention – Myleah Gallego, Andrea Guerrero, Priscilla Ivy.
BASEBALL
Ray
AIA 1A Conference Offensive Player of the Year – Anthony Lopez.
AIA 1A Conference First Team – Anthony Lopez, Derek Figueroa.
AIA 1A Conference Second Team – Jayden Lagunas, Jaden Pace.
AIA 1A East Region Offensive Player of the Year – Anthony Lopez.
AIA 1A East Region Defensive Player of the Year – Derek Figueroa.
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Anthony Lopez, Derek Figueroa, Jayden Lagunas, Jaden Pace.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Alec Carillo, Alex Bravo.
AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Morgan Bray, Tracon Naranjo.
Hayden
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Joel Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – A.J. Castillo, Adriano Cruz, Omar Lopez, Diego Garcia.
AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Rene Arbizo, Vicente Aguirre, Manuel Guillen, Aaron Peed.
Superior
AIA 1A Conference First Team – Daniel McConnell, Jesus Castellanos.
AIA 1A East Region First Team – Daniel McConnell, Jesus Castellanos, Matthew Cruz.
AIA 1A East Region Second Team – Kale Major, Gabe Castillo, Gabe Otero.
AIA 1A East Region Honorable Mention – Gabriel Garcia.
San Manuel
AIA 2A Conference Second Team – Louis Chavez.
AIA 2A South Region Player of the Year – Louis Chavez.
AIA 2A South Region Offensive Player of the Year – Louis Chavez.
AIA 2A South Region Defensive Player of the Year – Louis Chavez.
AIA 2A South Region First Team – Javy Tamayo, Benny Laguna.
AIA 2A South Region Second Team – Christian Estrada, Saul Quijada.
AIA 2A South Region Honorable Mention – Kevin Carter, Julian Rodriguez.
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