AZSPORTSNETWORK

Hello sports fans:

I have had a few emails asking or possibly questioning our all-state awards. I think this is great and this is usually the case as in any selection process.

I will try and answer some of these questions as to how this works and why we feel we do more and better than any other organization that puts out all-state selections:

1. Committee: Although we get nominations through many avenues, our committee has nothing to do with any conference or teams. The committee is consulted after as we are making our selections. So we are looking for the best players around regardless of school, winning program or conferences.

2. All-Conference Selections: We do not look at what players were selected for their All-Conference awards. I personally do not like looking at these awards because they can be skewed and at times very political. Also, the way awards are done nowadays there is not a real selection of the players but the teams just get so many slots based on winning percentage. This is not what we are about. WE do not want to place a kid just because he was picked in his region. So if a player is 1st team in his conference doesn't make him 1st team All-state, 2nd team all-state or even honorable mention because that player is now going against all players across the state.

3. Conference Strength: If you see more players from one conference than another that is not done on purpose but basically comes down to coincidence but does show more than likely where the top teams were during the season. So in basketball the North is like the East in football. Show Low is a great example of a team that barely made the playoffs in football because the East is so tough but made it all the way to the championship game. I am sure many East football players who were 2nd team all-conference were better than some 1st team conference selections from another conference.

4. All-state selections: All other organizations only give 5 players for 1st team and 5 players for 2nd team all-state. WE do double that and get in more players. So if our list is seen as not having a player on the team just think what the other organizations will be like??!! when they only select 10 total.

5. AZSports has seen EVERY player on their list in person or on film. WE cover the entire state and I know this is not done by any other organization.

6. WE look at all players. This means you may see a few kids who we watched over and over again because we saw something with this player where others did not. WE feel good about looking at all players and giving them a chance.

7. Stats: Just because a player leads the state in points or steals or assists does not mean they will make an all-state team or be higher than a player with less stats. We are looking for the BEST players and not just who leads their team or the state in scoring. Yes at times it plays a part but not all of the time.

WE welcome comments and if a player has somehow been missed and we did not look at him/her send them our way.