There have been highs and lows from the 2012-2013 athletic year.

A punch to the gut. A smack to the head.

For nearly two hours on Monday night, stories were shared, laughs were loud and Kleenex was out in full force.

Troy Powell has been chosen as Westwood's new boys basketball coach, athletic director Reggie Castro said.

‘They told me the window for my recovery had closed.”

When one Chandler teenager imagined her Sweet 16 birthday, she imagined spending it the same way she has spent many Sundays in the past seven years — with the homeless friends she served in the parking lot in downtown Phoenix.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 42, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning

PHOENIX — Obstacle course runners start on their feet, but eventually end up on their stomachs, sides, even backs at they clamber through mud, over shipping containers, across netting made of mangled ropes.

With a deep inhale and wide smile, Jordan Beck let out the worst-kept secret in Arizona high school softball, and came as close as anyone wearing black and red to acknowledging the history that’s been made on the east end of Brown Road.

The presence of a cheering Gorilla at Mesa’s Westwood High School could mean one thing: Something big was about to happen.

A lone, painted white bicycle sits at the side of Usery Park Road near Bush Highway.

The football coaches evidently can’t wait until August for their first showdown of the year.

It took six school years, but Williams Field now has a championship trophy to call its own.

The 2013 Arizona track and field championships started to resemble 2012 a little too closely for Devon Allen’s liking.

Many track athletes like the adrenaline rush of a neck-and-neck race with an opponent.

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board failed to approve Tuesday night future discussion about placing a budget override renewal on the November 2013 ballot.

It took a black-and-blue kind of semifinal battle between Mountain View and Chaparral to set up an all-red-and-black championship game in the Division I girls softball state tournament.