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.

Hello 3A Sports Fans!!!

Today we are announcing our 3A Boys All-State Team for the 2009-2010 basketball season. I wanted to explain how we do our all-state team so that you can understand why it is not only different in our opinion, but we feel it is the best around for obvious reasons. being a coach for 25+ years I have always believed the following:

1. Each classification should have their own All-state Players without being linked to the other classifications.

2. Basketball teams should consist of 1st and 2nd teams.

3. Basketball teams should have 10 players for 1st and 2nd teams. My reasoning is how many teams do you see around that only use 5 players? Even if you do have a few teams the best team usually is a team that has 10 players where you have depth to rotate in and out of the game. Thus we select the top 10.

4. We do include honorable mention but our honorable mention is not just players we throw in. The honorable mention is a spot for those who make the cut from one level to the next for us. We do not throw 20 names out just to mention them.

5. A committee of coaches and other very credible sources are involved in the process. But mainly coaches who are active and retired select players.

6. Personally I do an in depth look at all teams thru video, phone calls and actual watching of players. We feel with our rankings and great coverage across the state that we get most players who deserve these awards.

7. This year we have included our 9th grade phenom team. WE did switch things around but we looked at overall games played and how much playing time plus stats they accumulated, plus their overall contribution to a team.

8. Our Coach of the Year Award is not just blindly thrown out to conference or state championship winners. We are looking for the coach who has done the best job in all areas. Sometimes that is a coach who wins it all but also that coach who did the best in changing their team around from previous years as well.

9. Player of the Year: WE select a player of the year by the fans from each conference. Then a selection is made based on the OVERALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR in each classification.

10. We strongly believe all-state players can be from non-playoff or non-winning teams. The facts prove that although success as a team is important, there are some players who fit all-state caliber but do not have the supporting players to make staff. We make sure we do not overlook those players.

Here is a list of the selections. WE will also have a spot on our website with pictures, stats and videos as well throughout the week: Please remember the top 5 are those who we feel would be the starting lineup 3A Boys 1st Team All-State:

3A 1st Team All-State:

1. Estrella Foothills: Corey Hawkins
2. Estrella Foothills: James Pierce
3. Chinle: Koyai Clauschee
4. Alchesay: Rasta Nashio
5. Winslow: Kraig Shirley

6. Florence: Kyle Washington
7. Chinle: Laine Yazzie
8. Safford: Brandon Mcuen
9. Round Valley: Brett Haws
10. Blue Ridge: Kenny Kellywood

3A 2nd Team All-State:

1. Round Valley: Dustin Donaldson
2. Fountain Hills: Jordan Henslin
3. Globe: Billy Kidd
4. Estrella Foothills: Troy Coleman
5. Chinle: Brandon Yazzie
6. Window Rock: Todd Perkins
7. Holbrook: Tyler Stingley
8. Payson: Ever Figueroa
9. Ganado: Marcus Begay
10. Winslow: Lakota Shirley

Honorable Mention:

Santa Cruz: Bobby Flemons, Sedona: Kevin Cox, Show Low: Josh Weeks, Parker: Sean Golding, River Valley: James Remmel, Blue Ridge: nate Johnson, Fountain Hills: Alex Forehand, Payson: Dakota Marshal, Waterman Coolidge: Rhakeem Mathis, Sam Buchanan, Holbrook: Jalen jackson, Chinle: Steven Halwood, William Wilson, Empire: Demitri Hayes, Safford: Matt Hart, Wickenburg: Justin Bergman, Monument Valley: Preston Parrish, Shayn begay, Jonathon Delmar, Window Rock: Josh Billison, jaydiamond Talliman,

Freshman Phenom All-State team:

1. Estrella Foothills: Devon Hawkins
2. Window Rock: Kyler Ashley
3. Parker: Louis Golding
4. Parker: Michael Carter Jr.
5. Payson: Chase Walden
6. Chinle: Aaron Halwood

Defensive Player of the Year:

Round Valley: Rulon Udall

Region Players of the Year:

West: Estrella Foothills: Corey Hawkins
East: Alchesay: Rasta Nashio
South: Florence: Kyle Washington
North: Chinle: Koyai Clauschee

3A Overall Player of the Year:
West: Estrella Foothills: Corey Hawkins

Coach of the Year: Round Valley: Chris Mathews

3A Girls All-State:
Here is a list of the selections. WE will also have a spot on our website with pictures, stats and videos as well throughout the week: Please remember the top 5 are those who we feel would be the starting lineup 3A Girls 1st Team All-State:

3A 1st Team All-State:

1. Winslow: Kourtney Shirley
2. Monument Valley: Bradley Nash
3. Safford: Shaysea Alba
4. Alchesay: Marie Lupe
5. Window Rock: Ashley Mitchell

6. Window Rock: Violet Wood
7. Chinle: Nicole Tsosie
8. Winslow: Shernise Ward
9. Holbrook: April Lester
10. Safford: Bea Villalba

3A 2nd Team All-State:

1. Winslow: Paige Shirley
2. Holbrook: Samantha Yazzie
3. Sedona: Katie Adams
4. Tuba City: Angel Tacheene
5. Monument Valley: Destiny Holiday
6. Coolidge: Miranda Moore
7. Round Valley: Nikki Buck
8. Snowflake: Brittany Titus
9. Window Rock: Coralie Clark
10. Tuba City: Vernene Sheppard
* Safford: Jessica Hancock

Honorable Mention:

Payson: Maddie Nossek, Sedona: Rita Clancy, Florence: Kim Munoz, Round Valley: Lauren Buseman, Show Low: Rebekah Haley, Blue Ridge: Theresa Vataha, Snowflake: Reagan Godfrey and Jessica Johnson, Wickenburg: Kellsi Olsen and Phoebe Blakeley, River Valley: Katie Simpson, Empire: Dani Hawley, Safford: Lexi Peru and Shannon Bingham, Holbrook: Amanda Chee

Freshman Phenom All-State team:

1. Estrella Foothills: Savannah Eklund
2. Empire: Sonique Middleton
3. Coolidge: Hope Johnson
4. Winslow: Mattea Begaii
5. River Valley: Elizabeth Estes
6. Sedona: Sierra Hatler-stefick
7. Sedona: Tiana Hatler-stefick
8. Tuba City: Tristan Tsosie
9. Estrella Foothills: Caitlyn Byrne
10. Payson: Chioya Hill

Defensive Player of the Year:

Tuba City: Jamie Roe

Region Players of the Year:

West: Sedona: Katie Adams
East: Alchesay: Marie Lupe
South: Safford: Shaysea Alba
North: Winslow: Kourtney Shirley

3A Overall Player of the Year:

North: Winslow: Kourtney Shirley

Coach of the Year: Holbrook: Greg Perkins

Thursday Results:

Empire 18 Superior 7
Bisbee 7 Window Rock 3
San Manuel 10 Window Rock 0 3innings
Florence 7 Coolidge 0

Lets now break down Day 2:



#11 Empire 18 #6 Superior 7

Game 2 between Empire and Superior started off fairly close. However, Fox from Superior had Elder on the ropes and eventually had a 3-2 count but he would dish up a pitch right at his sweet spot and Elder took it deep for a 2 run shot that would give Empire the early lead in the game.
Superior had chances as B. Williams had some control issues and had 3 walks in the first but the Panthers could not get the timely hit to break thru for any runs. Later in the game Superior would tie it up at 2 but that was as close as they would get as D. Williams matched Elder with a 2 shot dinger of his own to give Empire the lead for good as the Ravens show why they have the power to make a run for the South division with 18 runs for the day.

Delgado from Superior and D. Williams from Empire were named the AZSports Players of the game. B. Williams got the win for Empire and Fox got the loss for Superior.

#4 Bisbee 7 Window Rock 3

Bisbee got off to another strong start as they were able to use their speed to manufacture runs. Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED Bisbee team who will not have the power of past teams but will have speed to kill as they use all means at their disposal to get runs across the plate. A Player to look for is Anthony Rivera, younger brother of Serg Rivera, who is the leader of this Bisbee team. Anthony has speed and a tremendous display of baseball awareness that is hardly seen for a freshman player. In the not so distant future he will be able to be called Anthony Rivera instead of Serges little brother! Window Rock came in and stayed with Bisbee for 4 innings until Bisbee exploded for 5 runs at the bottom of the 4th to take a 7-2 lead. The Scouts did show they will have their act together once they compete in the 3A North as they are much improved for the 2010 season.

AZSports Players of the Game were Anthony Rivera from Bisbee and Ty from Window Rock. I did not have a lineup card for WRock and did not want to misspell Tys last name.

#7 San Manuel 10 Window Rock 0 3innings

This game was over before it got started as Window Rock had to play back to back games after a long 5 hour road trip from the tundra up North. The Scouts are basically using this tournament to get into baseball form as the snow has been on their field and they had 2 practices before they left for Florence. San Manuel can just plain HIT THE BALL!! Padilla once again showed why he is a terror at the Plate as he went 3 for 3 with a stand up triple! Segovia got the win for San Manuel and PAWS got the loss for Window Rock.

#5 Florence 7 #14 Coolidge 0

WE started off the day with a pitching gem and we ended with nothing more than an outstanding game between two rival teams! Florence, on a mission to show they are a legit contender threw their #2 Touhey vs Rico from Coolidge. From the beginning it was the speed and aggressiveness of Florence vs Coolidge who could not get anything happening vs the young Touhey. Last season Touhey was named our All-state Frehman of the Year and this season he has shown we were correct with our pick. He basically dominated the game with 9 straight putouts while collecting 7 Ks during that span. He ended up going 10 straight put-outs before Coolidge finally broke through for a hit. By that time the Florence onslaught had already begun as the Gophers ran by, around and even thru the Bears to get the first early win vs their conference rival. Rico from the bears did a good job but combined with errors and good hitting he just did not have enough to shut down the Gophers.

Touhey was named our AZSports Player of the Game for Florence while Murrieta from Coolidge was named as well.

Day 1 of the 23rd Annual Joe S. Padilla Florence Baseball Tournament is over and what an exciting day of baseball! The reason I love this tournament is because you never know what to expect.

We were able to see 3 of our 3A top 15 teams in this tournament:


#11 Empire 3 #14 Coolidge 0

Game 2 was between conference foes as Empire and Elder dominated the Bears from Coolidge and went on to win by the score of 3-0. This was pretty much all Elder as he dominated Coolidge not allowing them to get in any hitting groove during the day. Elder, working from the stretch all game did a great job mixing his pitches not allowing the Bears to get comfortable in the box. His fast-ball had great movement and when the hitters tried to sit on that pitch, Elder was able to keep them on their heels with a great breaking pitch.

Coolidge did not do a bad job but Bowles was in trouble all day working very slow on the mound and getting behind the hitters. In the end this gave him trouble as the Ravens used their speed on the base paths to get 3 runs which is all they needed on the day.

Even though Bowles lost this game he showed he will be able to help the bears this season. On the other side Elder will be counted on to carry his team with his bat and arm as Empire looks to get back into the playoffs after having a very rough 2009 season.

Josh Elder for the Ravens and Justin Rico for the Bears were named AZSports Players of the Game.

#5 Florence 4 #6 Superior 1

Our nightcap game featured 2 top ranked teams from their respective divisions. Florence who is ranked #5 in 3A and Superior who is ranked #6 in 1A showed why they are ranked so high.

The Gophers threw Marrufo, who had 6 K's in the first 2 innings and 8 for the game as he totally dominated the Panthers who could not adjust to his fast-ball or breaking pitches all night. Marrufo showed us why he will be one of many pitchers from Florence who will help lead them to the playoffs for the 2010 season.

On the other side Superior threw their ace, Ortega, who also showed he will be a forced in the 1A division this year. With a nice fast-ball, and a breaking pitch that will buckle the hitters at the knees, he was able to keep the 1A Panthers in the game. If not for errors this game could have been 0-0 going into the 5th as the Gophers timing was a bit off since they had not played this season.

One of the areas that Florence shines is with their tremendous power from 1-9 in the batting order. The Gophers have so much talent that any pitcher facing them this season will have to deal with a top hitter at every single spot. They have so much depth that even the players off of the bench come in and have a chance to hurt you as well.

With strong contact the Gophers were able to get 4 runs vs Superior, who showed much improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Last year you were on the edge of your seat with any ball that was put into play because the focus and fundamentals of the Panthers were their Achilles Heel. But this year the Panthers have shown their focus and fundamentals have changed and they are ready to have a great tournament and move on to a possible state championship in 2010!

Marrufo who was on a strict pitch count went 4 innings and not allowing any runs with 8 strikeouts for his effort. Murphy came in relief for Marrufo in the 5th.

Ortega for Superior and Marrufo for Florence were named AZSports Players of the Game for their pitching efforts.

Week 1 Baseball Rankings:
3-1-2010

1. Valley Lutheran
2. Gila Bend
3. Valley Union
4. Tanque Verde
5. Bagdad

6. Superior
7. Duncan-Darkhouse
8. Joe City
9. Mogollon
10. Northland Prep-Sleeper Pick

11. St. David
12. St Augustine
13. Ft. Thomas
14. San Pasquel

Softball 2010 Pre-Season Rankings
BcatO's Rankings

1A
1. Joseph City
2. St. Augustine
3. Valley Union
4. Gila Bend
5. Salt River
6. Bagdad
7. Valley Lutheran
8. Mogollon
9. St. David
10. Ft. Thomas