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PHXFan is the leading sports blog for Arizona High School and College sports. It is the next generation of SportZine Magazine, which hit high school campuses throughout the Valley in 2003. More About PHXFan...
Arizona Sports (AZCentral)- Jordan Spieth puts together incredible finish to win British Open July 23, 2017
- WATCH: Dramatic final hand at WSOP Main Event July 23, 2017
- Astros' Colin Moran suffers facial fracture, concussion after foul ball off face July 23, 2017
- Colin Kaepernick remains sidelined as training camps open, and questions linger July 23, 2017
- Coaches, players, writers reflect on impact coach Jesse Parker left July 23, 2017
Latest Headlines
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Planned progressive training can reduce injuries
Posted on February 1, 2006 | 44 CommentsFor any high school athlete, the most difficult situation to remedy is the return to competition following a major knee injury. In this issue, even though we’ll be focusing in on some of the challenges facing female athletes, the guys should note that these same devastating, and in many cases preventable, injuries are also on the rise for men.
Lost practice and play time, coupled with the injury, may produce the gap that denies you the ability to receive a collegiate scholarship and move to the next level.
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Coaches Corner
Posted on February 1, 2006 | 35 CommentsInstead of Banning Food Options, Teach Students About Nutrition
The Arizona Coaches Association is concerned about legislation that seeks to ban food options in Arizona under the guise that it will address the growing problem of childhood obesity. Unfortunately, such a simple approach may not produce the intended results and does not teach proper nutrition. Childhood obesity is a complex issue that must be addressed with nutrition and physical education, both at home and in school. We need to educate students about nutrition and fitness for life. Students need to make informed decisions by researching the facts. They need to be critical thinkers, which is a goal of our educational system. We want to educate the students about their health to make them responsible and accountable for their actions. We must teach a balanced approach to eating and living an active lifestyle to prevent obesity and obesity related illnesses. Since no one food or beverage is the cause of obesity, a ban will not work.
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Martin Luther King Basketball Classic
Posted on February 1, 2006 | 1 Comment
This year’s Martin Luther King Basketball Classic at Well Fargo Arena in January culminated in a pair of thrilling boys and girls games that put the icing on a great day of basketball.
Mesa Dobson and Tempe Corona del Sol showcased their girls teams in the 1 o’clock opener, with Dobson getting the first win of the day, 68-43. Boys’ games followed, with Gilbert Mesquite using its size advantage for a 64-44 victory in the second game, and 5A defending champion Mesa Mountain View used a 11-3 run during the final minutes to win over No. 3 Desert Vista, 58-53, and avenge a December loss.
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More than most sports, CREW relies on TEAMWORK
Posted on February 1, 2006 | 32 CommentsThis article was written by John Armhein, a member of the Tempe Junior Crew, to give others an appreciation for a sport that requires hard work and dedication, but gets little recognition. SportZine welcomes submissions from students and uses those that are appropriate for our readers.
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POWER POINTS
Posted on February 1, 2006 | No Comments“I don’t need to workout, I’m the best athlete on the team.” There’s always one athlete on every team that has the God-given talent, but lacks the work integrity necessary to be the best at their sport.
“I’ll do whatever it takes, coach, just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!” There’s always one athlete on every team that has the work integrity but lacks the God-given talent necessary to become the best at his/her sport. Whatever your situation may be—hard work will always beat talent alone, when talent doesn’t work hard. Imagine two athletes with God-given talent, one works hard and one does not. Which one would you want to be?
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Coaches recognized for their successes
Posted on February 1, 2006 | 31 CommentsThe Arizona Coaches Association congratulates the following coaches on being recognized for their efforts in the 2005 season. They will be honored at the awards banquet at the Mesa Holiday Inn in May.
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POWER POINTS
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 23 CommentsIn this day and age optimization of performance is crucial. Young athletes are seeking specialized fitness training, focusing on one sport or attending sports specific camps to enhance their performance. As I have mentioned in earlier articles speed is one of the most sought after performance enhancement component. Today, you will discover one of the most beneficial movements that enhance overall speed…The Power Snatch.
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Jump start to Nationals
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 33 CommentsMore than a dozen Valley high schools qualified for a USA National event in at least one category, in Regional competition held in mid-November at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale. The list of qualifiers included Desert Mountain, Thunderbird, Agua Fria, Deer Valley, Chaparral, Mountain View, Notre Dame Prep, Cactus Shadows, Westview, Xavier College Prep, Millenium, Horizon, and Pinnacle. The all-day event showcased cheer, tumbling, stunt, dance, pom, and song. And SportZine was there to capture a big part of the day in pictures. -
BOLDIN DONATES $10,000 TO INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 3,794 Comments
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin made a surprise visit to Independence High School in Glendale on Tuesday, November 15 to donate $10,000 to help benefit the school’s football program with new uniforms and equipment.
“This is a school that I just fell in love with,” commented Boldin. “I actually held a camp here over the summer and Coach Moore was so helpful. He got his whole team to come out and help with my camp and ever since then I’ve been in contact with the football team and the basketball team.”
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Coaches Corner
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 4,488 CommentsThere’s A Lot Going On This Year!
The Arizona Coaches Association is staying busy and appreciates all the input for the coaches this year. Keep up the good work!
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THE MENTAL EDGE
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 4,575 CommentsPerforming “In the Zone”
Many athletes have experienced what is known as being “in the zone,” where his/her performance seems automatic and effortless. While this is the goal for many athletes, it is more typical for athletes to perform when they are not in this automatic, optimal-performance zone. Learning to perform when not “in the zone” requires athletes to be mentally skilled; focus effectively; and manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions during competition.
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TUNE-UP TIME
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 3,426 CommentsThe Paradise Valley Invitational is one of the few early tournaments that give high school boys basketball teams a chance to ‘get their game on’ before regular-season play begins. This year, a field of 12 teams from around the Valley showed up for four days of competition, capped by a Saturday final between Paradise Valley HS and Cesar Chavez HS. Both had gone undefeated in pool play, but it was Cesar Chavez on top in the finals. -
He’s still Looking for Game
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 32 CommentsAfter leading ASU to three post-season appearances, Jason Braxton takes his game on the road.
With just 41/2 minutes left to play, Jason Braxton finished a drive to the basket that put ASU ahead of arch-rival Arizona, 61-60, in one of the last, and most important, games of a 4-year career as one of the most popular and recognizable players on the Sun Devil squad.
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3 IN A ROW!
Posted on December 1, 2005 | 3,692 CommentsWhat’s left after you’ve run the table for an unbeaten season? How about another state title? The Chaparral Firebirds made it look easy this year, sweeping a very good Washington High School squad 5-0 in the 4A badminton state championship to win its third straight title and extend its unbeaten streak to 51 matches (17-0 this season). It was a team of seniors that capped their high school careers with an unbelievable three-year ride for Coach Heather Boyce.
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Making the roads safer for teen drivers
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 4,608 CommentsAfter losing her daughter in a fatal traffic accident during a lunch-hour break at a Valley high school, a determined mother has launched a safety campaign that may soon spread to cities all across the country.
“I never thought in a million years that I’d be doing this. But losing Krystal changed all that.”
You can still hear the tone of disbelief and quiet despair in Donna Ebel’s voice as she talks about the death of her daughter, Krystal, in a traffic accident last year, and the campaign she is waging as a result. The 15-year-old and her 16-year-old friend, Shayna Linneen, were returning to Dobson High School from lunch.
A website is going up to help launch Ebel’s safety campaign, called “Drive Kind”, which she kicked off earlier this year with the introduction of purple and orange silicon bracelets, which are being sold to help raise money for the effort. The bracelets can be worn or hung from the rear-view mirror to serve as a gentle reminder to obey the rules of the road and drive with care.
The proceeds are going to help fund driver education programs and benefit high school cafeterias. Hundreds of bracelets have been sold for $3 apiece. Sports were an important part of Krystal’s life, says her mother. “Krystal had been involved in sports since she was four years old, with soccer and softball. Our whole family is so involved with sports… we’ve found that the kids and their families all became so close because of it.”
And now the high school sports community has a chance to support the Drive Kind campaign. The bracelets are a great way to remember a fellow student- athlete – and contribute to a very worthwhile cause.
For more information, check out the website at www.drivekind.com, or email drebel55@yahoo.com. -
4 FOR THE ROAD
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 3,740 CommentsThey are breaking up the ol’ gang at St. Mary’s High School, scattering the core of last year’s state 5A runner-up softball team to far-flung parts of the country.
Four players from the Knights’ softball team were awarded scholarships to various colleges following a highly-successful 2005 season that ended with a loss in the state championship game to Tucson’s Canyon del Oro High School. They were part of a very productive group of players during their four years at St. Mary’s, as it was the first time the school had been to the softball state championships and, in 2003, they helped the Knights reach the region championships for the first time.
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Coaches Corner
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 4,000 CommentsThe Arizona Coaches Association has optimism in the air as the 2005-2006 school year begins. The Association will celebrate its 60th year in 2006 and plans are underway to make the Summer All Star Classic one of the most festive in years. Coming off successful games this summer in the City of Surprise and at Eastern Arizona College, the ACA looks to make the All Star games even better for the anniversary games. Plans are now underway to include more sports and more athletes in the festival format. Please watch for news releases and updates at the website to stay informed of the exciting events planned. You can get information at the All Star link located at www.azcoach.net.
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Cobras make a statement
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 4,094 CommentsSPORTZINE SPOTLIGHT GAME
Easily the most significant game in the early season in Class 4A involved Chaparral’s attempt to move up from Div. I No. 2 ranking by defeating No. 1 Cactus.
The Firebirds got off to their usual early-season surge, running up 117 points in their first two games, while holding their opponents to a collective 20 points. Their 2-0 record also included a shutout of defending 4A state champion, Moon Valley, which hadn’t been held scoreless since 1999.
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POWER POINTS
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 3,452 CommentsBUILDING A CHAMPION, ONE PHASE AT A TIME (Second installment of a two-part series)
First of all, it is important to go over some basic principles that will intensify and maximize your training. Secondly, I will use a detailed training program to emphasize these principles. Prepare yourself for the next level of training and the highest level of success.
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RUN IN THE SUN
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 3,573 CommentsTHE CHANDLER INVITATIONAL
It was September, but it felt like August heat to the more than 800 runners completing the three-mile course through Tumbleweed Park at this year’s edition of the Chandler Invitational. The freshman runners got a break, as they led off at 8:30, but by the time the seniors took off it was already 10:00 and the temperatures had climbed to the mid 90’s.
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LIFE AT THE NET
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 3,573 CommentsTHE MESA WESTWOOD TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS again drew some of the best volleyball talent to its annual event, which has expanded to 32 teams.
Considered one of the top regular-season high school volleyball tournaments in the state, this year’s Westwood became a stage for then-undefeated Xavier Prep, which swept 5A power Tempe Corona del Sol (25-21, 25-19) in the finals.
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HOME-GROWN HELP
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 4,231 CommentsThe "Local Factor" in ASU Football
Nearly half of this year’s Sun Devil sophomore class was recruited locally, a good sign for future grads.
“THIS IS OUR HOME NOW… not even our ‘home away from home.’ It’s not like the six hours a day that we spent in high school – we’re here all day.”
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HOME-GROWN HELP
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 3,545 CommentsThe "Local Factor" in ASU Football
Nearly half of this year’s Sun Devil sophomore class was recruited locally, a good sign for future grads.
“THIS IS OUR HOME NOW… not even our ‘home away from home.’ It’s not like the six hours a day that we spent in high school – we’re here all day.”
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Chargers Pitch In
Posted on October 1, 2005 | 2,718 Comments“It was a huge turnout—it’s amazing how many people showed up!” This wasn’t a sporting event that Sandra Marshall was talking about. It was a car wash.
Marshall is the aunt of DeShawn Brown, the 16-year-old McClintock High School football and basketball player who died in a July automobile accident in Texas.