• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz., Prep Notebook Column: Skyline Boys Soccer Has Region Title in Sight

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 January 2006, 15:00 CST

By Les Willsey, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Jan. 17--Region titles are not synonymous with Skyline High School. In fact, the school has never claimed one in any sport since it opened in 1999.

That could change this week. The 2005-06 boys soccer team is leading the 5A East Valley Region. The Coyotes are 13-4 overall and 3-0 in region. Region games remain Wednesday with Red Mountain and Friday against Mountain View, with the Friday game possibly determining the region champion.

BASKETBALL Injury bug, and how: Mesa High has been a formidable boys basketball power in recent years, as evidenced by its state title in 2004, but coach Shawn Lynch and his staff have weathered more than their share of injuries this season.

Forward Demetrius Crowell, who is averaging 19.7 points a game, has missed 11 games with groin muscle pulls. He hopes to return to practice later this week.

Junior point guard Dan Gillespie has missed the entire season with a broken foot and sophomore forward Aaron Fuller has been bothered by sore knees, the result of rapid growth. Lynch said Fuller has been unable to complete two-hour practices because of the pain and discomfort. Geoff Garner, who played football and would have been counted on in a reserve role, is out with a stress fracture.

''We're missing about 50 points a game,'' Lynch said. ''A lot of guys have played more than they expected this year. We've brought up two kids from the junior varsity to help out." The Jackrabbits did get senior guard Josh Westergard back recently. Westergard missed time with a broken hand.

Stotler All-American nominee: Dobson's Marisa Stotler has been nominated as a McDonald's All-American. Stotler, a senior who will play at Washington State, is averaging 19.4 points per game and just more than 13 rebounds a game. Despite being hampered by asthma this season, Stotler is shooting 55 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line.

Aztecs to honor former coach: Corona del Sol will honor former girls basketball coach Larry Hughes by naming its court Larry Hughes Court. There will be a ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday before the Aztecs' home game with Basha.

Hughes coached Corona basketball for 25 years and compiled a 440-198 record in 25 seasons. The Aztecs won four state titles (1981, 1993, 1994 and 2001). Hughes also coached football and boys golf, winning a state title in each of those sports.

Congratulatory celebration at Highland: Former players and students are invited to Highland High this evening to honor girls basketball coach Miner Webster, who picked up win No. 500 Friday against Mesquite. The ceremony will be held before the Hawks' game with Chandler High. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Simon out: St. Mary's point guard Dymond Simon will wear a walking boot for a couple of weeks to protect her gimpy left ankle, causing her to miss all action for the Knights. Simon's father, James, said doctors do not think she has ligament damage, as was earlier feared, but Simon has an appointment Thursday, when a final determination is expected to be made.

-----

Copyright (c) 2006, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

Source: The Tribune

More News in this Category