It's a big week for Pueblo High senior America Cazares, who begins the state Class 5A playoffs with a 33.3 scoring average and 2,893 career points. That puts her 20 points behind the girls' state career scoring leader Julie Brase Hairgrove (2,913) of Catalina Foothills, 1995-98.
Cazares is ranked No. 14 nationally in scoring average. Mia McGregor of Michigan (43.1) and Averie Zinn (40.7) of Minnesota are the leaders. Cazares is far ahead of the No. 2 scorer in Arizona, Tamia Pietila (28.3) of Miami High School, near Globe.
Pueblo's America Cazares (3) fends off the pressure from Nogales' Mia Contreras (3), bringing the ball up court during the first quarter of their regular season finale at Pueblo High School, Feb.. 12, 2026, in Tucson
A good question might be: Will Cazares be considered one of the five leading girls basketball players in Tucson history? It's a tough group to crack. My list includes Hairgrove (Arizona), Santa Rita's Paula Pyers (USC), Salpointe's Sybil Dosty (Tennessee, ASU), Amphi's Catherria Turner (Oregon, Oklahoma) and Tucson's Paula Dotson (USC). How Cazares and the 23-5 Warriors fare in the state playoffs should make a difference.
