Cochise goes 3-0 in Aztec Classic, to improve winning streak to 9 games

TUCSON, Ariz — For the second straight season the Cochise College Apaches went 3-0 in the Aztec Classic on the Campus of Pima Community College. Cochise beat 3 NJCAA DI opponents to once again claim the top prize in the Aztec Classic this year sharing the honor with Pima CC, after winning the classic outright in 2021. Cochise defeated Bismarck State 84-59 on December 29^th, and Frank Phillips College on December 30^th and beat down Eastern Wyoming on New Year's Eve by the score of 106-65.

Cochise jumped out to a 45-28 halftime lead to never look back versus Bismarck State in game one of the Classic. Cochise was led by Sophomore forward, Stephen "Tank" Byard with 21 points. Sophomore big man Oscar Cluff was a perfect 8-8 from the floor and ended with 16 points in the win. Freshman, wing Jalen Barbee chipped in 19 points as well.  Cochise then won a very hard-fought game versus Region V foe Frank Phillips College in game 2 of the Classic. Cochise led 32-28 at halftime and went onto a 68-61 win. Jalen Barbee led Cochise with 20 points while Stephen "Tank" Byard chipped in 16 points. On the last game of the Classic versus Eastern Wyoming College, the Apaches jumped on them from the outset with a 43-29 halftime lead that grew to over 40 points in the 106-65 rout of the NJCAA Region 9 opponent.  Stephen "Tank" Byard led Cochise with a  double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

The Apaches are now 11-2 overall and 5-0 in ACCAC play

IN HIS WORDS….

Cochise Head Coach Jerry Carrillo

"We were very pleased with our team effort in the Aztec Classic after a 2-week Holiday/Semester Break. Our guys came back ready to practice and Pima ran a very good tournament to allow us to get ready for ACCAC play which begins Wed. Jan. 4^th. "

News and Notes….

Sophomore guard Tyreese Watson verbally committed to attend and play at the University of Louisiana Monroe for the 2023-24 season.  Watson, who had a very good Freshman year last season for the ACCAC and NJCAA Region I champions, is even having a better Sophomore campaign.  Watson is averaging 20ppg this season. UL Monroe is an NCAA DI school that competes in the Sun Belt conference.

Coach Carrillo on Tyreese Watson committing to UL Monroe: "We are so very proud of Tyreese. He had a great Fall '22 in terms of daily work ethic and is a huge playmaker for us on the court. He gets buckets"

Up Next…

Cochise plays host to ACCAC foe Yavapai College on Wed. Jan. 4^th…. Tip of is set for 5:30 pm in the Stronghold Gymnasium.