By Ian C. Beck ’12
THE ROUNDUP
Coaches from all the teams in the 5A-1 basketball Fiesta region recently named two Broncos, senior center Sai Tummala ’11 and Rodrigo Furtado ’11, to the All-Fiesta Region basketball team.
The team is a compilation of the best players at each position for the Fiesta Region.
Tummala said that after not being named to the team last year, he wanted to prove his ability and show opponents the type of player he was.
Furtado, who transferred to Brophy from Brazil a year ago, laughed when asked what his feelings were about the award and admitted that when he first heard of the selection, he did not know what it was or what it meant.
However, once it was explained to him, Furtado said that he was very happy to receive the recognition.
Both players said the award shows off the hard work they put in during the offseason and throughout the regular season.
Brophy head coach Mr. Tony Fuller was named the Fiesta Region Coach of the Year after guiding the team to an 18-7 regular season record and a 7-3 mark in the region.
Mr. Fuller also led his team to their first playoff victory in five years and just their third ever state championship berth.
“He did a great job,” Tummala said. “He always made us work hard and stay together.”
Furtado, playing in his first season with the team and with Mr. Fuller as coach, commended Mr. Fuller for his enthusiasm.
“Sometimes you might think he wants it more than we do because he’s just so into it,” Furtado said. “I feel it’s good because it gives us more motivation.”
Senior guard Chris Pierre ’11 was given Honorable Mention for the All-Region team.