Flowing Wells High School’s girls basketball team is preparing for the Class 5A state playoffs with hopes of making it to the state championship game for the second year in a row.
The Caballeros are 26-1 heading into the playoffs. Brackets will be revealed at 8 a.m. Saturday, with games starting next week. Last year’s team advanced to the title game before falling to Goodyear Millennium.
The 23-point loss “destroyed me,†said Leamsi Acuña, the Cabs’ junior point guard. “The way we played that game, it still makes me mad.â€
This year is different.
When the Cabs aren’t in practice or playing games, they hang out with each other. Even “recovery days†are spent together in the training room with trainer Gabby Oman’s two 10-month-old golden receiver puppies, Remy and Scout.
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Last year’s team relied on former Milinda Arguellez, who now plays for Texas A&M International University, for much of its scoring. This year’s team has more balance, coach Michael Perkins says.
“We have the right kids in the right spot and in the right place to get back to that championship game,†he said.
And when they get there?
“We can so win this all,†Flores said. “We are gonna to win it all.â€
Photos: Undefeated Flowing Wells girls basketball team heads into state tournament
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Nazary Viramontes, 12, is a little emotional while the team huddles following their 61-25 win over Rio Rico on Senior night at Flowing Wells High School in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 1st, 2022.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Leamsi Acuna, far right, teammate Alenna Flores, center right, and athletic trainer Gabby Oman, far left, help teammate Nevaeh Urenda, center, who hurt her foot during practice, to the locker room following their practice at Flowing Wells High School, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 8th, 2022. The No.1 seed in the 5A Division the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball Lady Caballeros prepare for the AIA playoffs and a possible second chance at the State Championship.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells Girls Varsity cheer during player intros before their game against Rio Rico at Flowing Wells High School on Feb. 1, 2022.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells Head Coach Michael Perkins directs players during practice at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
While working on her leg recovery using leg compression boots, Flowing Wells' Navine Mallon, left, sits with Yanexx Flores, 3, niece of teammate Alenna Flores inside the athletic training room at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells teammates Milyana Salcido, left, Alenna Flores and Kayla Bailey laugh while attempting to dance in sync in the athletic training room before their practice.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Nevaeh Urenda, left, comforts fellow teammate Leamsi Acuna reacting to game video at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells' Navine Mallon, #20, reaches for a rebound during a game against Rio Rico inside the gymnasium at Flowing Wells High School, which opened in 1953.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's KeYara Heard, right, smiles while receiving flowers from head coach Michael Perkins during Flowing Wells's senior announcements before their game against Rio Rico at Flowing Wells High School in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 1st, 2022.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Alenna Flores laughs while playing with 10-month old Golden Retriever Scout, one of athletic trainer Gabby Oman's puppies, during the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball teams recovery day at Flowing Wells High School, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 4th, 2022. The No.1 seed in the 5A Division the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball Lady Caballeros prepare for the AIA playoffs and a possible second chance at the State Championship.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Nazary Viramontes, left, laughs while fellow teammate Gertie Munoz helps Viramontes on the training table during the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball teams recovery day at Flowing Wells High School, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 4th, 2022. The No.1 seed in the 5A Division the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball Lady Caballeros prepare for the AIA playoffs and a possible second chance at the State Championship.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Nazary Viramontes, left, and fellow teammate Nevaeh Urenda come up with a hand shake while waiting to get their feet taped in the athletic training room before practice at Flowing Wells High School, 3725 N. Flowing Wells Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on Feb. 8th, 2022. The No.1 seed in the 5A Division the Flowing Wells Girls Varsity Basketball Lady Caballeros prepare for the AIA playoffs and a possible second chance at the State Championship.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells' Nevaeh Urenda, 3, attempts to block Rio Rico's Marlette Alvarez's, 23, three-point shot during their game at Flowing Wells High School .
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells' Kayla Bailey, 21, shoots the ball while Rio Rico's Alexia Cano, 1, attempts to block Bailey's shot during their game at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells' Navine Mallon, 20, yells after getting fouled shooting a lay-up during their game against Rio Rico at Flowing Wells High School.
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Alenna Flores and her Flowing Wells team have earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A state girls basketball tournament.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells' Kayla Bailey, 21, attempts to shoot the ball while being double teamed by Rio Rico's Yamileth Barcelo, 21, and Angelina Whelan, 30, during their game at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
The Flowing Wells varsity girls basketball team hug at center court following their game win against Rio Rico at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Alenna Flores, right, laughs with fellow teammate Kayla Bailey while they play thumbs up during a cupping session for Bailey in the athletics training room before their practice at Flowing Wells High School.
Flowing Wells girls basketball
Flowing Wells's Sydney Lomeli-Capen, 42, and fellow teammate Nadine Cunes, 14, run a drill during practice at Flowing Wells High School.
