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High school summer champions crowned at Skyline HS
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The first annual ABCA Summer State Basketball Championship crowned winners in three divisions this week, as the new summer event made its Arizona debut.
Scottsdale Christian Academy became the first boys varsity summer champs with a 43-39 win over Skyline High School. SCA players were given gold medals and a commemorative t-shirt and silver medals and t-shirts went to the runners-up.
Both teams recorded tight wins in the semis, enroute to the championship game. Scottsdale Christian defeated Flagstaff HS, 59-57, and Skyline squeeked past Williams Field HS, 45-44.
The Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) teamed with the Grand Canyon State Games to come up with this new event. Teams qualified through their play in any of 33 different summer tournaments, summer leagues, or team camps around the state. The single-elimination tournaments were held at Skyline High School and Maricopa high school, with Skyline hosting the championship game.
In the freshman boys competition, Williams Field HS beat Cactus Shadows HS in the semis and then went on to down Desert Mountain HS, 59,43, in the finals. In the girls JV division, Highland High School (in photo above) beat Seton Catholic HS in the semis and then went home with this year's crown via a lopsided 36-4 win over Maryvale HS in the championship game.
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High school basketball looking for summer champ
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 The playoff games to determine first-ever Arizona high school summer champions in several divisions will begin Monday (29th) in gyms at Skyline High School and Maricopa High School.
This year, the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association teamed with the Grand Canyon State Games to create this summer championship program. State champs will be crowned in freshman, JV, and varsity divisions, with the boys playing at Skyline and the girls at Maricopa.
Teams have qualified for tournament play through their participation in any of 33 different summer leagues, summer tournaments, or team camps throughout the state. Winners will be crowned July 2 after advancing through a single-elimination tournament. The "Indiana Old-school" style of tournament (think the movie, "Hoosiers") was picked because organizers felt it allowed teams from any high school division to advance to the title.
If you plan to attend as a spectator, bring a little cash with you; there is a $5 daily gate fee.
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NAU snags basketball Player of the Year
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Amy Patton has to be considered a real prize in the college recruiting wars, and it is the smaller, less-known Northern Arizona University that will get to showcase the prize next season.
Patton, who led Tempe McClintock HS to its first-ever state title game, is the Arizona Repuplic's Big Schools Player of the Year. She will take her 31 points and 14 rebounds per game to the hardwood in Flagstaff after turning aside an offer from Georgia Tech.
"I love the school, I like the people, and think it has potential to be great," she said about her decision to hitch her wagon to the Lumberjacks.
Patton was also named first team all-state this year, and last year was selected as the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior. Her jersey hangs in the Ring of Honor at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Girls basketball All Star selections made
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 The Arizona Basketball Coaches Association has released the names of this year's selections for the Senior All-Star Teams. All games will be played at the US Airway Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury.
Boys teams are scheduled to play Saturday, May 23, and the girls teams the following week, on Saturday, May 30.
In the boys competition, the first game will begin at 4:00 pm and the second at 6:00 pm. Steve Kerr, Suns general manager, is expected to speak to the players prior to the first game. The girls will play in conjunction with a Phoenix Mercury game, with games going at noon and 2:00 pm.
The All-Star teams have been divided into four teams for girls and four for the boys: 1A, 2A, 3A girls North and South; 4A and 5A girls North and South; 1A, 2A, 3A boys North and South; and 4A and 5A boys North and South.
Team selections:
Girls 1A, 2A, 3A North: Chantel Moss (Coolidge HS), Crystal Todachine (Monument Valley HS), Raquel Singer (Winslow HS), Cassie Spleiss (Camp Verde HS), Sanel Smith (Valley Christian HS), Dabrielle Raye (Rock Point HS), Tamika Antonio (San Carlos HS), Crystal White (Coolidge HS), Chrissandria Jackson (Winslow HS), Danya Wilson (Rock Point HS). Alternates: Samantha Sam (Winslow HS), Nicole Baldwin (Snowflake HS), Rhiannon Russell (Salt River HS), Sophia Salazar (Santa Cruz HS).
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"We're keeping the dream alive"
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 Ann Meyers Drysdale steps
out of broadcasting and onto the floor at US Airways Center, where she will take
the reins of General Manager of the Phoenix Mercury. She plans to provide an
exciting brand of winning basketball that will draw high school fans to the
women’s game.
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Basketball (Girls)
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