Glendale area teams prepare for season

By Tyler Emerick win. Our goal is to play each like it's our Glendale Coach's outlook: Enk did not comment The Republic Iazcentral.com last game and to make it to the state tour­ Coach: Tiffany Morris. for this article. nament. Division, Section: Division II, Sec­ The 2012 softball season got under tion II. Ironwood way last week with tournaments 2011 record: Copper Canyon 0-18, Coach: Erin Ladd. throughout the Valley. The Republic Top returning players: Sarah Laborin, Coach: Jessica Basford. Division, Section: Division I, Sec­ takes a look at schools in the Glendale Sr., OF; Alexis Salas, Sr., 3BIDH; Chanel area and their outlooks on the season Division, Section: Division II, Sec­ tion III. tion II. Jacobson, Jr., P. 2011 record: 9-18. ahead. Top newcomer: 2011 record: 1-21. Xena Meija, So., C. Top returning 'players: Tori Pogue, Jr., Coach's outlook: It Top returning players: Yvonne Cabrera, will be a challenging OF; Lauren Pogue, So., OF; Britni Dela­ Apollo Sr., 2B; Angelica Van Osdel, Sr., SS. season for us facing schools like Cactus ney, So., SS. and Peoria. We have some great return­ Coach: Susan Prado-Ortiz. Top newcomer: Alondra Renteria, So., Top newcomers: Maralee Whitey, Fr., Division, Section: Division II, Sec­ lB. ing players and a solid group of up and SSIP; Feliciana Martinez, Jr., 2B. comers with a passion for the game. tion II. Coach's outlook: The 2012 Lady Aztecs Coach's outlook: We are very young and 2011 record: 13-16. are looking to start strong this year led very green at this level of competition. If Top returning players: Breanna Aker, by a core group of returning players. Independence our battery can pull through and work Jr., P/OF; Briana Mora, Jr., C; Olivia Lo­ One of our strengths this season will be Coach: Beth Enk. the counts and pitch locations, then we pez, Jr., IF. our speed around the bases and fielding Division, Section: Division I, Section I. have a very good chance to compete. Top newcomer: Celina Chairez, Jr., SS. the ball. We'll be focusing on creating a 2011 record: 6-13. With a brand-new coaching staff, we are Coach's outlook: We have a cohesive consistent defense to back up our solid Top returning players: CiarraWhite, Sr., working very hard to continue some past group returning and they are all very pitching staff. IF; Hannah Oldham, Sr., OF. tradition and also establish the high ex­ competitive. They are physically tough Top newcomer: Amitty Figueroa, So., IF. pectation for the years to follow at Iron­ and willing to do what they need to do to wood. Keep fundraiser cash away from coaches hen former Peoria $30,000 in fundraising over at director and then fill out a Renee Raskin, chief financial High football coach least a three-year period had purchase order. Once the officer for the Prescott Unified W Doug Clapp was ar­ gone unaccounted for. equipment is purchased, he has School District. "They want to rested Monday for allegedly Clapp isn't the first high to provide an invoice or receipt have control. There's a trust mishandling the team's fund­ school coach or official to get to the school. . factor. They believe if they raising money, Carol Alexan­ in trouble for allegedly mis­ "It eliminates the coaches give it to the district we're der had her handling fundraising monies. from having cash," Alexander going to spend it on teacher's teaching mo­ In March 2010, Cottonwood said. "If they follow our proc­ salaries." ment. Mingus wrestling coach Tom ess, they should stay out of Thankfully, most high Alexander Wokasch was accused of mis­ trouble." school coaches don't play fast is the supervi­ appropriating thousands of The system isn't fool-proof, and loose with school or boost­ sor of student dollars. Four years earlier, though. Coaches can skirt pol­ er funds. But every time a activities for Jordan Stradling, the treasurer icy by depositing fundraising story like Clapp's becomes Mesa Public of the Mesa High booster club, money they receive up-front public, alarms go off in district Schools and was arrested amid accusations into a personal account rather offices throughout the state. SCOTT the person he took nearly $30,000 in boost­ than a school-run account. That "It makes us go, 'Wow, is BORDOW responsible er club money. seems to be what occurred this being handled properly? Republic for telling The charges ag&inst Clapp with Clapp. Do we have safeguards in columnist coaches why prompted a question: Just how "At the time it was supposed place?'" said Kim Mesquita, the district's do high school districts handle to be deposited and accounted administrator for community fundraising the money they receive from for, this money was found to be relations for the Glendale cash is locked up tighter than fundraising and ensure it's in the control of the football Union High School District. the gold in Fort Knox. protected from bad intentions? coach," police spokesman Jay Mesquita said the Glendale "Stories like this come out We contacted officials from Davies told The Republic. district has hired an internal and it's, 'See, these are why we three districts: Mesa Public Booster club funds can be auditor to review its policies have the rules in place,' " Alex­ Schools, Prescott Unified problematic. Typically, those and procedures. Other districts ander said. "They're for your School District, and the Glen­ monies are outside a school's would be wise to follow suit. protection." dale Union High School Dis­ control and thus not protected Ultimately, though, it comes Clapp's arrest was a thun­ trict. While there are some by the sama safeguards. down to the individual. That's derbolt across the high school minor differences in how the Alexander said Mesa Public why it's important to remove sports landscape. Like many districts handle fundraising Schools would prefer booster any temptation. Don't give longtime coaches, he had be­ money, they all have policies in money go through each coaches direct access to any come an institution. He was place that prohibit coaches or sChool's account, but it's not account. Don't let them handle Peoria's coach for 26 years and school officials from directly feasible from a manpower any cash. Don't give them the led the Panthers to state cham­ withdrawing cash from school­ standpoint to keep track of the opportunity to do the wrong M pionships in 1986 and 1987. run accounts. funds raised by every parent thing. But his world came crashing Instead, the procedure typi­ organization. down when he was charged cally works this way: Ifa foot­ Most booster clubs prefer Reach Bordow at scott.bordow@ with one count of fraud, one ball coach wants to buy, say, 20 the hands-off policy. arizonarepublic.com or count of theft and five counts new helmets, he has to first get "Our boosters don't want us 602-444-7996. Follow him at of forgery. Peoria ""Jolice say approval from his athletic to handle the money," said twitter.com/sBordow. 86 March 1,2012 SPORTS Playing competitive softball all Independence coach asks for By GEORGE hopes to watch the play­ each other." WITKOWSKI ers develop this year. She Sandstedt, a three-year STAFF WRITER has 15 players in all and varsity player, has an add­ six arc returning players. ed measure of wanting to First-year Indepen­ Two arc seniors, shortstop perform well this season, dence Patriots softball Becea Wyatt and center since she missed all oflast coach Christy Wiley pre­ fielder Gabbie Sandstedt, year with an ACL injury. fers to be direct with her and some new faces. "I think right now responses. "We have a lot who we're learning to back However, she knows aren't experienced," Wiley each other up and know what she wants from her said. "I want them to end that we're always there for softball team this season. up learning more things one another," she said. "I "I just want them to than when they started." have high hopes for this playas a team, whether Wyatt just hopes what year and if we do make they arc winning or los­ her team has talked about it to the playoffs, we can ing," Wiley said, "Maybe now carries throughout the keep on pushing." just talking lllore through­ season. While the playoffs are out the game." "We talked about stay­ months away, Sandstedt Wiley was an assistant ing focused and being said it all comes back to coach forthe last six sea­ aggressive," Wyatt said. Photo by George Witkowski the team and what this sons at Independence, be­ "We use ball, base and The Patriots went 8-19 last year and hope six returning p,layers will help this season has in store. fore the opportunity arose back~up." season. Players expected to be leaders are senior Becca Wyatt and Gabbie "My favorite thing for a head coach. "Bali" is for when- the Sandstedt. about the team is that The Patriots were 8­ ball is not hit t~ you; you base is covered, or back­ slow her game down this its opener to Maryvale, we love to play," Sand­ 19 last year, and Wiley should be making sure the up the play. season. Sandstedt said it still stedt said. "You can see ."I think the shortstop "I have to wait on slow helped the team. how everyone works their keeps the infield in sync," pitching and not pop up," "I think this game gave hardest, and we' 11 push she said. "You make sure Wyatt said. "I want to get us a lot of confidence for ourselves as far as we can they know the outs and the everything I can that's in the season," Sandstedt go this year." situation as to when they my area and I just need to said. "It helps with the Reach the reporter at are going." be more patient." team chemistry and know­ gwitkowski@star-times. She said she has to Although the team lost ing that we can depend on com, or 623-847-4611. Tevin Blaylark (triple "Just train hard alld Ihe rca II y good olles (as they arc sophomores, LAA meet last year In the like to beat their own jump) and Herb Dew stay healthy alld we freshmen), because it's they've made the adjust­ 60 hurdles and was white­ times in the 60 dash," (long jump) should be hope to have good kids," hard for them to make the ment." carded in thc 60 dash. Dawood said "I would Sophomore Jessica White-carding allows you like to see myselfexceed­ I Pierce is entered in 60­ to go in another event, if ing my running times, and meter hurdles, 60 - and you have already quali­ it would be nice to run a 200-meter dash events. fied in another event. 7.7." While all the events are "I definitely try to beat She said it comes down important, like most ath­ everyone I run against," to keeping things simple letes, she is particular to she said. "It's the rush off the track. . one since she was a fresh­ of adrenalin as you try "Everything from man at Centennial High to get a PR and beat the watching my diet to get­ School. competition." ting enough sleep to how "I like the hurdles be­ Lillie also went to the much you walk in a day. cause it's more of a tech­ nationals in the shot and It's all how my body will nique event and I've been discus last year and is op­ doing it the longest," timistic about this season. MORE GCC TRACK ON B6 State basketball tournament results Division II boys: Quarterfinals: Kellis 52, No. 12 Thunderbird 36 First round: No. 19 NO.7 Paradise Valley 51 Division II champion­ Apollo 56, Cactus Shad­ Semifinals: Amphithe­ ship: Seton Catholic 52, Photo by George Witkowski ows 54 ater 65, Kellis 62, OT Peoria 44 Player$ Independence coach Ray King will be counting on this season Second Round: No.3 Division IV Boys First Round No.8 Lib­ include Taylor Cromer, Victor Benavidez and Chris Douglas. Ampitheater 88, Apollo First Round: No. 18 Joy erty bye 75 Christian 53, Scottsdale Second Round: Liberty IHS baseball coach looks for First round: No.4 Peoria Prep 40 40, No.9 Pusch Ridge 36 bye Second Round: No.2 Quarterfinals: Peoria 58, fresh start in new division Second Round: Peoria Pbx. Country Day 62, Joy Liberty 47 70, No. 13 Sunnyslope 59 Christian 50 First Round: No. 10 Cac­ By GEORGE WITKOWSKI league pitcher with the Milwaukee Quarterfinals: Peoria 55, Division I Girls tus 60, No. 23 Cholla 38 STAFF WRITER Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, At­ No.5 Betty Fairfax 53 First Round: No. 12 Second Round: No.7 lanta Braves, Colorado Rockies and Semifinals: Peoria 61, Hamilton 63, No. 21 Cen­ Palo Verde 58, Cactus 53 Second-year Independence Patri­ Washington Nationals., is also facing No. 1Arcadia 45 tennia143 Division IV Girls ots baseball coach Ray King wants a different challenge. The team is Division II champion­ Division II Girls First Round: No.5 Joy his players to get as excited as he is no longer in the 4A-I Western Sky ship: Peoria 50, Amphithe­ First Round: No. 1 Peo­ Christian bye about the team's prospects for the up­ Divis~on Region and is part of I. ater 48 ria bye Second Round: Joy coming season. He also wants them Also helping his optimism was the First round: No. 2 Kel­ Second Round: Peoria Christian 51, No. 12 St. to take a different view of the game fact Independence lost three one-run lis bye 57, No. 16 Desert Edge 40 David 48, OT and still be competitive. games, which could be a good sign Second Round: Kellis Quarterfinals: Peoria 58, Quarterfinals: No. 13 The Patriots were 6-13 last year, 72, No. 18 Queen Creek No.8 Liberty 47 Salt River 52, Joy Chris­ but King, a former 10-year major MORE IHS BASEBALL ON B6 53 Semifinals: Peoria 66, tian 43 Ichcaders, featuring post-game IHS BASEBALL: Coach looking for fresh start, FromB5 L:Utive Saturdays (March 10 and IC Dodgers and White Sox. Dur­ for the pitching stafr. catch.'" Benavidez, a second-year var­ II postseason teams, the Arizona "Last year I was pleased," King He also said the new BBCOR sity player, also said working on Iwaukee Brewers and the Texas said. "Jumping up in our division bats, which are aluminum, but situational baseball is something wn. Also, the 20 I0 champion San means we need to play unconven­ deadened to limit power, might King has stressed. 11 bc at CR-G plus, crosstown ri­ tional baseball, and we pick and not matter. "Lately, we've been practic­ lnd Chicago White Sox. First pitch choose what we have to do and "I don't see a big difference and ing on bunt drills and rundowns," :15 p.m. with three 7:05 p.m. starts improvc, and that's our goal. if guys make a mistake, it's still Benavidez said. "What Ireally want 7, March 23). TheApril 2 get-away "This year, I want them to go out going to carry," King said. "I think to do is cut down on my ~rrors. We . Scason and group tickcts, season and have fun, learn from the game, the sweet spot is not as solid, but had infield and outfield practice in ICS) have been reduced in price. To and I've got eight or nine seniors if you still hit the sweet spot, it's December at Independence, and I III or group tickets, call 623-302­ and my goal is to get four or five of going to go." .. try to just zone everything out and :amelbackranchbaseball.com. them to college. My strength is up Cromer has been with the Pa­ do what I've got to do." \10 post-game fircworks displays, the middle and I have two seniors­ triots' program all four seasons at Sophomore outfielder Chris lude Fan Fest (March 3), "$1 Dog who know each other's tendcncies, second base. He said it is a matter Douglas is in his first season with Ie Bases" (Sundays) and "Seniors and there's some incxperience and of doing the basic things over and the Patriots and wants the team to dncsdays)." it's a mix." over. get stronger each day. Ranch - Glendale Cactus Lcaguc King was rcferring to second "Just fundamentals," Cromer "We've got to improve our de­ bascman Taylor Cromcr and short­ said. "Playing baseball how it's fense and get the outs so we can s. White Sox, I:05 p.m. stop Victor Bcnavidez. supposed to be played. In the get up to bat," Douglas said. "I'd IS. Giants, I:05 p.m. "Taylor's a pretty solid player whole off-season, I did a lot of like to improve my arm accuracy, 'at Whitc Sox, I:05 p.m. and a grcat kid," King said. "Vic­ running and weight training, and I which means getting my form IS. Athlctics, I:05 p.m. tor brings a lot - he can pitch and do it for the love of the game. down." ( vs. Cubs, I:05 p.m. catch for me, but his confidcnce "It's just being the best I can be Reach the reporter at gwit­ ';ox vs. Rangcrs, I:05 p.m. is not whcre it should be. I try to and taking it farther by going to [email protected], or 623­ :rs vs. Whitc Sox, 7:05 p.m. instill in him that he can pitch and college." 847-4611. vs. Cubs, I:05 p.m. IX vs. Athletics. I:05 p.m. FromB5 vs. Rockics, I:05 p.m. GCC TRACK: Team strong and well-balanced, x vs. LA Angcls, I:05 p.m. react in a scvcn-second outdoor facility, runners Dew works with high because I'm walking into vs. Royals, I:05 p.m. race." from community collcges jumpers coach Ray Da­ the big leagues," Dew vs. Rangcrs, I:05 p.m. Dew was a state cham­ around the state try to get VIS. said. "It's very serious lX vs. Marincrs, 1:05 p.m. pion long jumper at Lib­ national qualifying marks Dew wants to stay and its become a busi­ TS vs. Giants, 7:05 p.m. erty and he has cleared 7 by running some indoor disciplined and focused ness and I want to be the vs. LA Angels, I:05 p.m. feet, thrce inches in the cvents, such as the 110 because he knows high best." IX vs. Rcds, I:05 p.m. high jump. hurdles. jumping will lead to - Reach the reporter at vs. Brcwcrs, I:05 p.m. "I want to go 7-5 in the "I want to work on my something else. g}Vitkowski@star-tiines. •s. Padrcs, I:05 p.m. high jump, so I can make consistency," he said. "I know what I want com, or 623-847-4611. IX vs. Royals, I:05 p.m. it to the Olympic trials," IX vs. Diamondbacks, 7:05 p.m. Dcw said v-;. Indians, I:05 p.m. Thc 2016 Summer d~~~;~Ji!~p~~·_·,,·, IX vs. Giants, I:05 p.m. Games will bcheld in The Cityof~~~Odal~~ntt~id .~;~~af:13;~~e~~it~~w~ vs. White Sox, 1:05 p.m. Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. ~ '\ v,. Indians, I:05 p.m. To this point, Dcw has a 3-on-3 seniorOlyrnpiPtibasket­ a.···· n.d.....•... 1.2..•..• ·.··.·.men·$ tea.ms.. sch....· ... ci.uled tournament,o~person~50 \ vs. Padres, I:05 p.m. gonc 7-3 Feb. 14 at an ball 'Vllithth(!o~destJ(!arnb~ing~5 ye~u'Sold. .••...... vs. White Sox, I:05 p.m. indoor mcet at Glendale and up 10·a.m. to 6 p.m. March 3 __..I ... _A ..1..-.. ~_-AI..IJI_ "'-•• 1 #!tt._I·1 ,...... ,....I't>._ #110 ...... -._ ... \.JII ...... ~III"'''' .311" wa;:') a JJ\.,;~JJ- VI <1UIl;II<11111 <11:1 yvu 1I Y CVt:IYlIllng Ilum man at Centennial High to get a PR and beat the watching my diet to get­ School. competition." ting enough sleep to how "I like the hurdles be­ Lillie also went to the much you walk in a day. cause it's more of a tech­ nationals in the shot and It's all how my body will nique event and I've been discus last year and is op­ doing it the longest," timistic about this season. MORE GCC TRACK ON B6 State basketball tournament results Division II boys: Quarterfinals: Kellis 52, No. 12 Thunderbird 36 First round: No. 19 No.7 Paradise Valley 51 Division II champion­ Apollo 56, Cactus Shad­ Semifinals: Amphithe­ ship: Seton Catholic 52, Photo by George Witkowski ows54 ater 65, Kellis 62, OT Peoria 44 will be counting on this season Second Round: No.3 Division IV Boys First Round No. 8 Lib­ : and Chris Douglas. Ampitheater 88, Apollo First Round: No. 18 Joy erty bye 75 Christian 53, Scottsdale Second Round: Liberty ach looks for First round: No.4 Peoria Prep 40 40, No.9 Pusch Ridge 36 bye Second Round: No.2 Quarterfinals: Peoria 58, lew division Second Round: Peoria Pbx. Country Day 62, Joy Liberty 47 70, No. 13 Sunnyslope 59 Christian 50 First Round: No. 10 Cac­ 19ue pitcher with the Milwaukee Quarterfinals: Peoria 55, Division I Girls tus 60, No. 23 Cholla 38 ewers, St. Louis Cardinals, At­ No.5 Betty Fairfax 53 First Round: No. 12 Second Round: No.7 Ita Braves, Colorado Rockies and Semifinals: Peoria 61, Hamilton 63, No. 21 Cen­ Palo Verde 58, Cactus 53 Ishington Nationals, is also facing No. I Arcadia 45 tennial43 Division IV Girls iifferent challenge. The team is Division II champion­ Division 11 Girls First Round: No.5 Joy longer in the 4A-I Western Sky ship: Peoria 50, Amphithe­ First Round: No. I Peo­ Christian bye gion and is part of Divisi·on I. ater 48 ria bye Second Round: Joy so helping his optimism was the, First round: No. 2 Kel­ Second Round: Peoria Christian 51, No. 12 St. :t Independence lost three one-run lis bye 57, No. 16 Desert Edge 40 David 48, OT mes, which could be a good sign Second Round: Kellis Quarterfinals: Peoria 58, Quarterfinals: No. 13 72, No. 18 Queen Creek No.8 Liberty 47 Salt River 52, Joy Chris­ MORE IHS BASEBALL ON B6 53 Semifinals: Peoria 66, tian 43