For nearly the past 50 years, Michele “Chele” Shadrick has experienced the ups, downs and everything in between associated with Patagonia High School basketball.
It seems she can’t get enough.
After 16 years on the sidelines—cheering on the Lobos as a grandparent and a fan—Shadrick is returning to the bench this year as coach of the Patagonia girls’ basketball team.
She previously coached the Lobos from 1999 to 2009, but that’s not even the tip of the iceberg.
No, that traces back to the late 1970s, when she played three seasons for Patagonia and about which she still feels strong emotions. “I loved it,” she said. “We went to state every year. The first year we lost to Salome by six points. I was heartbroken.”
By 1992 she was a volunteer coach at the former Patagonia Grammar School, then coach at Patagonia Middle School before progressing to high school coach in 1999.
Shadrick takes the reins from Ralph Padilla, who retired after coaching the Lobos for the past 16 years and leading them to a 14-10 record last year and their first state tournament appearance since 2017. Shadrick will be assisted by her grandson, Isaiah Ruiz, a recent PUHS graduate.
“I missed it,” Shadrick said. “I made a lot of different connections with the players in different capacities.
“I’m excited and a little nervous at the same time. It’s a fresh start for all of us as we get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as (my) coaching style. I am hoping that we will all work together and strive to be a cohesive team.”
Shadrick chuckled while acknowledging that she’s known some of her future players since teaching them in preschool.
Practice begins on Nov. 4, but exactly how the roster shakes out is yet to be determined. Many of her top players won’t join the team until the conclusion of the volleyball season—and the Lobos are well positioned to advance into the state tournament.
Returning players Emma Lewton, Brianna Majalca, Alexis Fimbres and Ximena Gonzalez are all key contributors to the volleyball team.
“I’ve seen them play. I’ve seen what they’re capable of doing. And I’m excited about that,” Shadrick said.
“I won’t know for sure until I get them out on the court, how they all work together. I’m hoping that because of the success the volleyball team has had, that energy level will translate. I’m excited.”
The boys team will also begin practice on Nov. 4 under head coach Nate Porter. Four seniors graduated from last year’s team that finished with a 10-8 record. Porter said he expects the team to be better offensively than a year ago, but ball-handling is a concern with the loss of point guard Arturo Magallanes.
The Lobos’ season officially begins on Nov. 20 at Sequoia Pathway Academy in Maricopa. Their home opener is Nov. 22 against Lourdes Catholic.
The early season schedule also includes two tournaments: The Boyd Baker Tip-Off tournament at The Gregory School from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 and the Coach Edgar Brown Holiday Basketball Tournament in Williams from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7.