AZSPORTSNETWORK

Hello 1A sports fans!

I just love the snow. Unfortunately for many North teams the sports schedules were cancelled because of all of the snow that came down and expected this week.

One of those games I really wanted to see was in BBB between Gilbert Christian and Mayer. Mayer has been playing some good ball and nobody has come close to GC this season so I thought this was a good game to see where both teams were at as we enter the end of the season before the playoffs.

Boys South: As expected the race is tightening up for the 3-4-5 spots for those elusive ppts. Remember the top 4 teams go to the playoffs and there is no regional tournament. Right now St. Augustine is in the 3rd spot, then Tanque Verde with St. David on their heels. The Tigers won a huge game vs St. Augustine this week and play Tombstone tonight and still have 2 games left with TV. St. Augustine had a close loss to VU and must rebound vs Tanque Verde tonight. They have a hard schedule left which includes Patagonia away a team they lost to earlier in the year. TV may have the best shot with games vs St. A and 2 with St. David left. beating these teams will more than likely get them in. Since St. David is biting at their heels those games are huge.

BBB: Ft. Thomas beats St. David this week and was a great response after losing to Duncan.

BBB: North: This is a good battle and 3 very good teams will come out of the regional tournament and be very dangerous in the playoffs. St. Michaels, Joe City and Mogollon can cause fits for teams. JC beat Mogollon this week and Mogollon and St. Mikes split their season games. The matchup we are waiting to see is between JC and St. Michaels.

BBB: West: With GC destroying all teams in their path many are forgetting about Valley Lutheran and Orme. The score has not been posted but Orme did lose to Valley Lutheran. VL will play GC late in the season so that will show us how good VL is when comparing these 2 teams. Joy Christian boys seem to be playing some good ball as of late so do not count them out.

BBB: East: I still see this coming down to Ft. Thomas and Duncan but we will have to wait to see if SR is improving.

BBB: South re-match!!!: Valley Union heads to St. Gregs this Saturday the 23rd to face St. Gregs away. The ppts have gotten real close so this game could come down to who wins this 2nd game. VU escaped a loss vs St. Augustine this week so we will see Saturday if this is the same team I saw at VU when it was close until mid 4th period. WE will broadcast that game on Saturday.

In 1A girls basketball the South is heating up as much as the boys and it is from a hot St. David team. The game vs Tombstone tonight is huge as this could be the game that catapults them to the #3 spot leap-frogging a Greenfields team that had their playoff chances get cloudy with a loss vs Immaculate School. St. David can possibly even pass up Patagonia if Patagonia does not win out even though Patagonia has beaten them 2x this season. If Patagonia defeats VU tonight then I think they can win out and take the #2 seed. However Immaculate is a scrappy team and plays Patagonia 2x late in the season and could be a spoiler to help their chances for the playoffs. I see GF as having the toughest road but must beat Immaculate the next time they play to stay ahead of them for the 4th spot. St. David has already secured a playoff spot in my opinion along with Patagonia so now it is up to Gf and Immaculate and VU to vie for that 4th spot.

GBB: East: With a regional tournament on the horizon we are looking at the Salt River possible rematch with Ft. Thomas. SR did go to the Fort to win their game but this will be a long tourney and you never know. The bad thing is if SR loses out on the 1st seed they will join GB on the top of the bracket.

GBB North: This conference is heating up with the emergence of St. Michaels defeating Rock Point! Their only loss besides tourney games have been to a very strong 2A Many Farms team. I see Rock Point, St. Michaels and Joe City being the top teams but look for Northland Prep and Grand Canyon to make a run for the playoffs as well with Fredonia looking as an outside long-shot but it is Fredonia! Besides SR and GB I can see a champion coming from this division. Then add in Seligman who blew out Fredonia and beat Grand Canyon and you have a very good upcoming regional tournament!

GBB: West: Salome, VL and Joy Christian seem a lock for regionals and a playoff berth. The debate is how good is Gilbert Christian come playoff time and can they get into the playoffs to defend their championship. Also, PCDS seems to be playing good basketball so you never know with them either.