Page, Valley top AIA’s all-section list
FORT DEFIANCE
Area players and coaches top the 2015-16 Arizona Interscholastic Association All-Section girl’s and boy’s basketball teams.
Each year the AIA tallies ballots submitted by area coaches in their respective divisions and sections. The all-section team consists of first and second team, player of the year and coach of the year.
Page’s Justin Smith was voted as girls Division III, Section I coach of the year. Smith guided the Lady Sand Devils to the regular season Section title and Section tournament championship.
Page earned a first round bye in the state tournament as No. 2 seed. The Lady Sand Devils edged the Tuba City Lady Warriors in the Sweet 16. Page was eliminated in the Elite Eight by the Window Rock Lady Scouts, ending its hopes of repeating as state champions.
“I owe everything to the coaching staff and players,” said Smith about his honor. “Without a great coaching staff and players. I wouldn’t have been voted with this honor. We worked together as a coaching staff and as a team with the players.”
Page’s Ashley Dempsey was voted as girls Division III, Section I player of the year. Dempsey, a senior, is being recruited by a number of colleges.
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