Boys Basketball

^{Head Coach - Zach Washut}

^{Zpw919@gmail.com}

Coach Washut enters his 15th year coaching High School Basketball and his 9th as head coach at Cactus Shadows. In 2022, he became the all-time winningest head coach in Falcon basketball history and surpassed the 100 win mark in the process. The past eight seasons have been record setting as the Varsity Falcons have amassed a 139-65 record during that time. 

Some of the accomplishments during the first 8 seasons include:

• 7 State Tournament Births
• 5 Elite Eights
• 3 Region Coach of the Year awards
• 3 Seasons of 20+ wins
• 2 Region Championships
• All-time single season record of 23-4
• All-time win streak of 20 games

His teams have been highly efficient on offense and have learned to play tough team defense during his time. As Head coach or assistant to Varsity, his teams have reached the state playoffs 14 of his 15 seasons, including a trip to the final four in 2013. Overall, this will be the 18th year Coach Washut has either been coaching or in operations of a basketball program. From 2004-2006, he worked for the men’s basketball program and hall of fame Coach Lute Olson at the University of Arizona. Coach graduated from The University of Arizona in 2006. He has been working in healthcare account services and operations since graduating. His wonderful wife Shayna is a huge fan who rarely misses a game. Their family includes their two sons, Ryder & Hudson. They live in Cave Creek where, outside of basketball, they enjoy hiking, family time, and trying new restaurants. Coach Washut is also an avid golfer, enjoys fishing and the outdoors.

Varsity Assistant - Jeff Horst

Coach Horst is entering his 8th season at Cactus Shadows. He has 2 other years of high school varsity experience. He previously spent 8 years at Phoenix College on the women’s side as an assistant coach. During his time at PC their teams were in the top 4 in the conference 6 of the 8 years and finished #8 in the nation in 2014. In his time there, Coach Horst helped to develop 3 All Americans and saw most of the players move on to 4 year colleges/universities. Coach Horst has also spent 6 years with DFAC basketball, coaching the Desert Elite teams, where many of his players have gone on to play for Cactus Shadows. Coach graduated from Aurora University, Illinois, in 2007, and earned his Master’s in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Argosy University Phoenix in 2010. Outside of coaching, Coach is an avid golfer and plays softball. 

Program Assistant-Jon Kragel 

Coach Jon Kragel joins the Cactus Shadows Falcons for his first official season, bringing both a strong connection to our community and a wealth of experience. As the lead pastor at Mission Grove Church in Cave Creek, Coach Kragel is already a familiar face. He has previous coaching experience at Sonoran Trails Middle School and has led youth basketball leagues and camps nationwide. A former college basketball player, Coach Kragel graduated from Cedarville University, a Division II school in Ohio, and later earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Phoenix Seminary. When he's not on the court, Coach Kragel enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Samantha, and their three children, Jackson, Carter, and Chloe.

Coach Goulet is starting his first year on the coaching staff for Cactus Shadows. Born and raised in Cave Creek, Sam spent 4 years in the CSHS basketball program as one of the most successful players to come through the program. He played his last two seasons for coach Washut where his team still holds the single season winning percentage record. After high school, he went on to play 5 years at Colorado Mesa University, winning 4 conference championships and 2 Sweet 16 appearances. During this stint, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. He currently works as a financial professional.

JV Head Coach- Alex Hamouz

Coach Hamouz has been part of the Cactus Shadows Basketball program for 9 years. His first season as head coach of the falcons went almost perfect at 15-1. Coach started his Cactus Shadows career as a player, playing all four years and graduated in 2018 under Coach Washut. His senior year his team won 21 games, made the elite 8 of the state tournament and he took home MVP honors of the Thanksgiving tournament, which they were crowned champions of. After graduation, coach did not hesitate and went right into coaching. He started as a head coach for DFAC Basketball and the Desert Elite program. He has worked with numerous students that are currently playing or are planning to play for the Falcons. Coach has also been the Freshman assistant coach for the last two seasons and is excited about the opportunity to take over as head coach this year. He is currently a student at ASU where he is studying Sports Business/Management. Outside of coaching, he enjoys being around sports as much as possible. You can find him training and playing in gyms all over the greater Cave Creek area. 

Coach Taylor is a results-driven assistant coach who turns potential into performance. A standout varsity player in high school, he mastered the fundamentals, team dynamics, and game strategy early — experience he now channels into coaching. Since moving from player to coach, Taylor has helped build successful programs, develop high-performing athletes, and contribute to championship-caliber teams. Today he serves as the freshman basketball assistant coach, where he mentors young players on and off the court, instilling fundamentals and teamwork by focusing on consistent improvement and winning habits. He is also the current Cactus Shadows boys head golf coach.