AZSPORTSNETWORK

Hello 3A fans!

Baseball and softball as well as other spring sports are underway. We will have our Monday Night ranking baseball and softball show next Monday. Tonight we will continue to focus on the basketball season at hand.

I am covering the basketball on my state coverage blog notes so please go there to catch all of our thoughts on the 3A state basketball tournament.

http://www.azsportsnetwork.com/azsportsnetworkblog/index.php?blog=25

Then go to the 3A boys and girls sections.

Hello 2A fans!

Baseball and softball as well as other spring sports are underway. We will have our Monday Night ranking baseball and softball show next Monday. Tonight we will continue to focus on the basketball season at hand.

I am covering the basketball on my state coverage blog notes so please go there to catch all of our thoughts on the 2A state basketball tournament.

http://www.azsportsnetwork.com/azsportsnetworkblog/index.php?blog=25

Then go to the 2A boys and girls sections.

Good morning!

What a great weekend as we crowned our 2010 basketball state champions.

Boys Basketball:

Gilbert Christian:

Formerly known as Surrey Garden, this team did something most teams only think about and that is to go though the entire season undefeated! Not only did they do this but they did so in dominating fashion! No team came close and in all reality the only team that had a chance was St. Gregs with a healthy Frank. That was the only game we felt they were held in check and the game was real good for their opponent but without Frank it was not to be. In the playoffs ormer stayed with them a bit but in the end they dominated and will be a force in the future. based on info they are building some great facilities and will more than likely be playing at the 2A level come the next 2 year block. This will allow for much more competition.

North Teams:

Both St. Mikes and Joe City had fine seasons. WE were proud to have picked them for teams who would threaten for the titles and they did not disappoint. Both of these teams had great seasons and provided their fans with some great basketball thru the season.

Valley Lutheran:

This team has been something special. I know they could not get into our top 2 rankings for the season but it was only because 1A this season was stacked at the top. They proved us wrong and got the runner-up positions. All I can say watch out for this team in baseball!!!!

Coach of the Year:

The coach of the year is very difficult this season. If you have any nominations please send them in. For once I will say I am not sure of this award and our committee members each have different names and I can honestly say I am undecided at this time.

Girls Basketball:

Salt River:

The Eagles had the toughest schedule of almost all divisions this season. This I am sure this helped them so that they were ready for the rematch vs Gila Bend in the championship game. They proved this year with their schedule that they can compete in higher divisions and I for one would love to see them move up to 2A where they have the numbers for that division and compete against the 2A schools whom they beat on a regular basis. This team was special as Newton and Ramirez were 2 of the top combos in girls basketball at any level. Congratulations and we know this team will be competitive in years to come.

Gila Bend:

Sometimes the basketball gods are cruel and then sometimes they can bless you when you least expect it. This season ones schools loss, (YC) was Gila Bends blessing! Although the Gila Monsters got the Wirtzbergers sisters in as transfers, (SR fell under the same luck star by the way, many I think forget that this program was in the making when Coach Dallas 1st took over many years ago. he came in to a depleted program and brought success that the team has rarely seen in their history of girls basketball. His teams were competitive and his leadership as a coach was evident with all of his teams. This year it took a coach with some greay ability to gel and mold his team into a state contender and to do so making sure that the conflicts that can tear a team apart did not occur and allowed them to take the runner-up trophy this season.

X-Factor:

I had mentioned that when the match-up between SR and GB took place for the final time it would come down to the X-Factor. My X-factor was a player besides the top 2 from each team that would have a great game and be the difference. In the championship game the X-Factor was Hannah from SR who came out and did a tremendous job and in the end was the difference in the game!

Coach of the Year:

I know those teams that get people into the playoffs and win championships are traditionally given this award, but IMO the coach that will probably NOT win this award but should is the Patagonia Coach who led his team to the playoffs, almost had a 20 win season and did all of this while having 2-3 wins the following season.

Baseball:

WE will have our baseball and softball rankings show next Monday! That should also be the time our pre-season rankings will be revealed.

Softball:

WE will have our baseball and softball rankings show next Monday! That should also be the time our pre-season rankings will be revealed.