Log in

WEST VALLEY PREPS

IT WAS JUST BETTER THERE

Ironwood slogans shone though as basketball program lifted itself to state title

Posted 4/4/20

After years on the high school sports circuit, the slogans and cliches begin to blend together.

“We’re a family.” “These guys are my brothers.” “These players …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
WEST VALLEY PREPS

IT WAS JUST BETTER THERE

Ironwood slogans shone though as basketball program lifted itself to state title

Posted

After years on the high school sports circuit, the slogans and cliches begin to blend together.

“We’re a family.” “These guys are my brothers.” “These players love each other.”

How about “Never too high. Never too low.” “Iron sharpens iron.” “Play for the name on the front and they will remember the name on the back.”

In the Ironwood basketball culture of recent vintage these terms sound authentic — not cliche — and the way they translated to the growth of the program feels organic.

And each of coach Jordan Augustine’s five teams has help build on that selfless culture, culminating in a 2019-20 season to remember. The Eagles finished the season with 17 straight wins and a 78-70 victory on March 2 in the 5A final against a Millennium team that entered undefeated against Arizona foes.

“We talk about family all the time at Ironwood, and these guys meant it. It’s a cliche thing for a lot of guys, but they actually meant it and it shows in how they played,” Augustine said that night.

In that state title game, the Eagles’ four guards — Ironwood’s four leading scorers — were almost perfectly balanced. Seniors Dominic Gonzalez, Trent Hudgens and juniors Bailon Black and J.J. White all scored between 16 and 18 points.

While Black, Gonzalez and While started on the Eagles quarterfinal team the year before, Hudgens and forwards Jaden Glass and David Teibo all transferred in for their senior year and all fit in seamlessly.

“The team we have ... we would have never thought in a million years that we’d have such a good team. We’re all brothers and we all love each other, from the last person on the bench to the starters. We know how to play with each other and know everyone’s tendencies. I’ve never been part of a team that’s so dedicated,” White said after the game.

After hoisting the trophy, Augustine said much of what makes this team special starts with Gonzalez.

In his four years, the 6-4 guard has become more than the program’s all-time leading scorer, assists man, three-point shooter and winner. Gonzalez has been the embodiment of the Ironwood basketball.

“It’s not something we talked about. We talk about being the best version of ourselves,” Augustine said after the state final. “He’s been our unifier all year. If you look at our group chat it’s always Dom unifying guys. And if there’s ever adversity ... there’s actually a clip at Sunnyslope where Trent’s getting a little excited and Dom turns him around so he doesn’t get a technical. It’s stuff like that, the character stuff, that Dom does in addition to scoring the basketball well.”

If Gonzalez was the team’s ice man, cool under pressure and closing out many games from the free throw line, then Moon Valley transfer Hudgens was the fiery spark for an Ironwood team that had a tendency to break away from tougher opponents with big second-half runs.

The 6-1 senior and 5A defensive player of the year could easily start the burst with a steal, prolong it by kicking out to an open teammate for a three or finish a fast break with a dunk.

And in the wake of the state title run, NCAA Division I schools took notice. Hudgens went from a visit to Massachusetts-Lowell before the playoffs to offers from NAU, Santa Clara and South Dakota in March. He signed to play for Santa Clara and former ASU coach Herb Sendek on March 26.

“I fully support Trent’s decision because I believe it is one that is bigger than basketball. Santa Clara is a great opportunity that can aid him in having success long after his playing career is over. I’m proud of who he is as well as the growth that I witnessed,” Augustine said in a Twitter interview April 5.

That started the trickle of Eagles seniors signing and it should become a flood soon. Guard Aaron Rice committed to Benedictine University in Mesa on April 2.

The three-year varsity player and sharpshooter sacrificed more than anyone in terms of playing time and shot opportunities when the three transfers became eligible.

“His growth as a leader, on and off the court, was monumental to our success this season. It’s great to see that his dedication to something bigger than himself and growth on and off the court is being rewarded. My hope  is that he uses this opportunity at Benedictine to continue to improve in all facets,” Augustine stated on Twitter.

With Gonzalez, Glass and Teibo still bringing in offers, that should mean 13 Ironwood players that receive full or partial scholarship offers to continue their careers in college from the last four senior classes.

The first week after the championship was full of celebration at a school that has not seen a team win a state title since 2011 and never experienced a state basketball title before.

Then the coronavirus epidemic led to the halt of school March 13 and the cancellation of the rest of the school year March 30. Understandably, that muted the party atmosphere around the Glendale school.

“My focus and concern is with our students. With that said, the most gratifying part is the excitement of the community. Our team’s success has been a tremendous unifier that has created memories that can hopefully distract some from this difficult time,” Augustine stated on Twitter.

Still, that magical night will go down as the culmination of the program’s remarkable five-year build. In 2015, Augustine moved up from JV coach and inherited a six-win team.

The next team went 9-17. Gonzalez and his class arrived and Ironwood jumped to 17-10 and the 5A quarterfinals then 15-12 and a first-round berth.

“It’s been great to see because not too long ago Ironwood was never making the state tournament,” Gonzalez said. “We just wanted to show the Westside that Westside kids can win the state championship.”

Ironwood almost broke through in 2018-19, finishing 23-5 and earning the No. 3 seed. Then seniors Cassius Carmichael and Malik Smith joined Black, Gonzalez and White in a dizzying starting five that all featured guard skills.
Millennium ultimately prevented the big jump that year, winning 60-59 in an epic quarterfinal at Ironwood. But for returning players, that made the 2020 final upset all the sweeter.

“It actually means a lot to us. Coming from last season when we lost to Millennium, everyone thought they were the best,” Black said. “When we started this season it was the same — oh, Ironwood’s going to be a good team but not great. But we only needed the dudes in the locker room needed to believe we could be great.”

This year the belief permeated the campus and central Glendale community.

Ultimately the magical night on the ASU campus was for those fans that raised the decibel level, and administrators, coaches and players that lifted the program to unprecedented heights.

“It’s so much fun. It means everything to our community. The support they have shown us ... that’s why I lost it over there with our fans. As much as we did on the court, they did a ton for us by showing support and coming to games. I’m so blessed to have the students and administration I have at Ironwood,” Augustine said.