Firebirds outscore Pinnacle 50-36 after intermission for 71-62 win in battle of Desert Valley Region rivals.

Eddy Zubey is still a Knight. The only difference now is the school name before the mascot -- Higley rather than St. Marys.

The Xavier soccer team endured another tough time at the Excaliber Tournament in Santa Ana, Calif., during the recent holiday break. The results of the tournament for two-time defending state champ Xavier was three losses in three games, but the results didn\\\'t bother coach Barb Chura.

A year after winning the 5A-I girls basketball title, Dobson coach Tyler Dumas has nearly gone back to square one. He has ventured to the chalkboad and erased the 2010 lesson. Chiseled out the path for 2011 and perhaps beyond. The transformation from state champ to building back to that level is gradual. Tha is why Dumas likes the challenge of coaching.

Pinnacle brought its young, energetic boys basketball team to Mesa High Tuesday and did not look the part of young very much. The Pioneers, leading most of the game except for brief moments in the second period and at halftime, outplayed the host Jackrabbits and posted a 67-57 win in a 5A non-region game.

Oozing with tradition, Archbishop Moeller, Ohio and Mesa Mountain View,were the final matchup of the 2010 VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge. The teams did not disappoint. Sporting unbeaten records in the tournament and for the season, the teams gave fans a fitting marquee matchup as Moeller trimmed Mountain View, 36-35, in a classic defensive battle at Toro Gym.

Saints wrap up first day of Hawk Invitational in Buckeye with wins over Buckeye and Cesar Chavez.

Defending Class 5A Division II champ in its third holiday tournament. Plays Oklahoma City team on the first day.

Running back has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also plays key role as linebacker.

One thing can be counted on with Jeremy Hathcock coaching Desert Ridge is the Jaguars give the opposition something(s) to ponder offensively. Most of Hathcock\\\'s five-year tenure at Desert Ridge, offense revolved around an aerial display. This year it has been closer to half-and-half. Whatever the Jaguars choose, it is fine with the array of talented skill players at Hathcock\\\'s disposal.

Graduates of Westview and Centennial remain affiliated with their schools, help football teams on Friday nights.

Two-way Saguaro lineman Cyrus Hobbi was spent. Nagging physical aliments and fatigue had him collapsing often in the final minutes of Saturday\'s 4A-I football championship game with Canyon del Oro. But when time had expired do-everything quarterback Teddy Ruben had enough energy to play another 48 minutes. The diminutive Saguaro signal caller jumped and spun with joy knowing he and his teammates had snared a hard-fought, come-from-behind 41-34 victory over defending champ CDO at Sun Devil Stadium.

Last year Jason McBrayer was the backup quarterback for Canyon del Oro. A very good team. An undefeated 4A-I state title team. That was fine. Going along for a championship ride. But he ached for the chance to play more and contribute the best way he knew how -- by playing. He has received that opportunity this year and hasn\'t disappointed.