Corona del Sol High School has become a major force in the state of Arizona. In a state that is still developing a feel and understanding for high-level basketball, Corona has given Arizona basketball enthusiasts a nice glimpse into what top-rated basketball talent looks like, and also how the game is played by great basketball teams that share the basketball.
Corona captured their fourth consecutive Division-I state championship this year - finishing 33-1 and ranked No. 8 in the nation by MaxPreps. Corona also amazingly enough, went 127-7 during a four-year reign of state championships, and also won 70 consecutive games against in-state opponents.
Well, this week, in very surprising fashion, Corona head coach Sam Duane Jr. gave his resignation to the Aztec's basketball program in a very surprising move. Duane, who has been coaching for 25 years either as an assistant or a head coach, has indicated that he wants to take a year away from coaching and focus on getting his administrative certification.
Now here's the deal. No one leaves a dynasty such as Corona's with four-consecutive state championships, and also possessing two future pros for 2-3 more years, without having something up their sleeve. The opportunity to coach a program such as Corona's and an even more amazing opportunity to coach top-rated national talent such as Marvin Bagley and Alex Barcello, does not come around often. In fact, for much of society, it will never happen. You cannot make me believe that Sam Duane Jr. has just decided to walk away from an historic basketball program without anything in the works.
While it is very unclear as to where Duane Jr. will land next, you can bet that this surprising resignation will have something to do with more basketball down the road.
Either way, I sincerely appreciate what Coach Duane has done for the state of Arizona's basketball reputation and also for Corona Del Sol's basketball program. The son of another legend, Sam Duane Sr., Sam Duane Jr. left his stamp firmly on Arizona basketball and the Aztecs' program.
