Dave Lumia

Senior Diego Carranza banked in a shot with six seconds left to give Patagonia a 44-42 comeback victory against San Simon Monday night.

With a deep squad of 19 players, boys’ Coach Nate Porter is optimistic the Lobos can qualify for the state tournament.

The honors come on the heels of the squad’s best season in eight years.

Chele Shadrick, former PUHS player and coach, is coming back to the team after 16 years on the sidelines.

The Lobos head to Tucson for the 1A South Tournament this Friday and Saturday, with the state tournament beginning next Tuesday. “We just have to keep working on our emotions and continue to improve,” head coach Andres Cuevas said.

The wins improved Patagonia’s record to 9-4 heading into their Oct. 16 home match against second-ranked St. David, which comes to town with an 11-1 record.

The Lobos won five of their first six games, but once the schedule got tougher, the victories have been harder to come by.

The Lobos are playing under first-year coaches Andres Cuevas and Brenda Somoza. “We are learning together,” Cuevas said.