Tucson Sahuaro defeated Tucson Desert View 73-10 on Wednesday night to remain undefeated at 12-0 but the Cougars were playing for much more as junior forward Sydney Harden poured in 19 points to give her exactly 1,000 points to this point in her career.

It was obvious by the lopsided score that Desert View (2-4) was overmatched but the Jaguars played tough the whole way and the score is no indication of the effort put in on the court. The Jaguars were unable to stop Harden underneath but they are not alone in that aspect, not even close.

Harden is averaging almost 17 points a game this year and that includes a 42-point burst against an equally tough Tucson Palo Verde (7-5) squad. But, while Harden was controlling the inside, junior guard Shelby Mattice drained 18 points and sophomore shooting ace Elena Arriaga added 10.

Desert View features freshman Arlett Arreola. Arreola was part of the championship Sunnyside Little League World Series team from a couple of years ago. She scored five points for the Jaguars Wednesday night and looks to be a future standout for the team.

Harden came into the game knowing she needed the 19 points but missed a few open shots underneath and passed away a few opportunities to reach the scoring mark earlier in game.

"I was a little nervous but I also didn’t want to be selfish," said Harden. " I wanted the points to come in the flow of the game and I passed the ball to others as much as I could."

Sahuaro coach Steve Botkin has coached seven players to the 1,000-point mark but he sees something different in the way Harden has been able to do it and he echoed a bit of what Harden was explaining about her game.

"This means a lot to our program because Sydney has grown up here watching her sister (Olivia Harden) play and she came to camps when she was young," said Botkin. "She also plays super unselfish as you can see and she would rather give up the ball if it would help the team."

Cashala Thompson has the school record of 1,532 points and is currently playing for Florida Southern. Thompson averaged 13 points per game in her career (118 games) while Harden is averaging 14. Harden just might finish with the school record.

Botkin coached his 400th victory earlier in the season. Other Southern Arizona standouts who reached 1,000 points so far this year include Treyanna Clay of Catalina Foothills/Cienega and Veronica Barraza of Nogales.

Sahuaro visits Tucson Amphitheater (3-7) on Thursday and Desert View will host Douglas (7-2) on Jan. 6.

 

Sydney Harden Totals

Freshman: 377 (13.5)

Sophomore: 421 (13.6)

Junior: 202 (16.8)

71 games (14.1)

 

Sahuaro 1,000 Point Club

1,532 Cashala Thompson 2007-11

1,408 Michelle Vielledent 1989-93

1,293 Kelliann Glowacka 1996-99

1,227 Logan Hall 2004-08

1,218 Katie Bruns 1996-00

1,184 Vanessa Lemmon 2002-06

1,000 Sydney Harden 2012-current

 

Current Southern Arizona Career Leaders

Sydni Stallworth, Palo Verde (Sr.) 1,798

Alexis Cortez, Tucson High (Jr.) 1,261

Treyanna Clay, Catalina Foothills/Cienega (Sr.) 1,078

Veronica Barraza, Nogales (Sr.) 1,012

 

All-Time Career Scoring Leaders

1: Julie Brase, Catalina Foothills 1994-98 (2,913)

2: Kayla Petersen, Red Mountain 2003-07 (2,611)

3: Christina Wirth, Seton Catholic 2001-05 (2,550)

6: Olivia Snyder, Green Fields 2009-12 (2,382)

12: Shawn Coder, Willcox 1986-90 (2,162)

15: Paula Pyers, Santa Rita 1980-84 (2,082)

19: Taneisha Gossett, Flowing Wells 1988-92 (2,043)