All-Tribune First Team

All-Tribune First Team Offense

Dennis Erickson has hit the trifecta in coaching honors in the Pac-10. The first-year leader of the Arizona State program on Monday was named the conference’s coach of the year, an honor he received at Washington State (1988) and Oregon State (2000).

One expected dynasty in 5A-I boys basketball has been cut short halfway through its reign.

Even if you didn’t have a roster at a Tempe Corona del Sol girls soccer game, it was easy to find senior Brittany Cole. She was the one in the middle of all the opposing players.

The difference between Chandler Hamilton coach Steve Belles’ first year and second year guiding the Huskies was one fewer win. A 13-1 campaign followed by a 12-1. That single discrepancy in record was not playing in the title game and hence not winning the championship.

There’s no confusion any more at the top of the Scottsdale Chaparral football program.

The theory goes that a new era has begun at Phoenix Brophy. Household names like Ray Polk, Bryan Berens and Sean Lieb have each taken their two high school state championships and moved on to college.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

The Carl Hayden and Phoenix Alhambra boys basketball teams combined to go 14-36 this season.

Players at Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep know they will be competing with enormous bull’s-eyes on their jerseys all season.

To most people, tossing 17 strikeouts with a purple-colored pitching hand in a complete-game shutout to win the state championship should be enough to merit vacation.

Division III state championship

Players to Watch

Among the whirlwind of post-championship activities in these past three weeks was a stop at a jewelry shop. A stream of Chandler Basha softball players designed rings for the 5A Division I state title winners.

Anyone who decided golf should be restricted to uptight, scowling, humorless or silent folks hasn't played with Zach Wright.

Anyone who decided golf should be restricted to uptight, scowling, humorless or silent folks hasn't played with Zach Wright.

All-Tribune First Team

Anyone who decided golf should be restricted to uptight, scowling, humorless or silent folks hasn’t played with Zach Wright.

TUCSON - For all the hype surrounding Arizona third-year coach Mike Stoops, the cold hard truth is this: In two years, he’s won six games and lost 16. And of those six wins, two came against Northern Arizona and two against woeful Washington.

TUCSON - For all the hype surrounding Arizona third-year coach Mike Stoops, the cold hard truth is this: In two years, he’s won six games and lost 16. And of those six wins, two came against Northern Arizona and two against woeful Washington.

TUCSON - It should come as no surprise that Arizona coach Mike Stoops managed to right a sinking defensive ship during his first season atop the Wildcats’ program.