The hug was just as important as the connection.

Skyline starter Boyd Vanderkooi struck out all but two Mesa Jackrabbits on Tuesday afternoon finished with 10 in a complete game 9-0 shutout of Mesa at HoHoKam Stadium.

All-Tribune Football first team

All-Tribune Girls Volleyball Team

All-Tribune Boys Swimming

Apparently, Natalie Weber is a pretty quick learner.

The golf clubs arrived one Christmas to get it all started for Hannah Li.

The final rankings had some movement, including a new top-ranked team for the first time all year, after the regular season came to an end.

Scores and schedules

At the beginning of the year, it was easy to pinpoint Chandler-Hamilton the game of the week for the final Friday of the regular season.

The 2016 state badminton tournament is ready to tip off on Monday as qualifying teams now focus their sights on the state championship after the individual tournament ended on Saturday.

East Valley high schools dominated day two of the 2016 state badminton singles and doubles tournament, capturing two state championships and three state runner-ups at Independence High School on Saturday afternoon.

With Skyline’s starting running back hobbled this week in practice, sophomore Aaron Wood knew he’d likely be in line for a heavier workload Friday than he’s used to in his normal role as the Coyotes’ No. 2 back.

The 6A Conference is officially a crapshoot.

Some wounds sting longer than others and, for Skyline, last week’s 21-14 loss to Hamilton, their first of the year, lasted particularly long.

Ok, Perry you have our attention.

If Friday’s contest against Skyline felt a little like déjà vu for the Hamilton football program – from the opponent, to the score, to the way the Huskies seemingly tried everything in their power to give away a victory before snatching it back – know that even Steve Belles was having flashb…