• Slug: Sports–Girls Flag Football Arizona, 500 words.
• Photo available.

By James Morel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Over the last year, girls flag football has drawn attention around the world after the International Olympic Committee announced it is among the sports that will be added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, school districts across the U.S. are adding the sport, with nearly half a million girls from the ages of 6 to 17 playing flag football, a 69 percent increase since 2019, according to the National Federation of High School Associations.

Few states have embraced the sport more enthusiastically than Arizona. Last year, 57 high schools in the state offered flag football. This season, more than 100 schools are participating at the 6A, 5A and 4A levels, according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association. Continue reading “Ready for primetime: Girls flag football on rise in Arizona with Cardinals backing”

• Slug: Sports–ASU Football Follow, 600 words.
• Photo available.

ByTucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After a lack of discipline, several errors from special teams and other issues piled up in Arizona State’s loss to Texas Tech in its Big 12 Conference debut, the Sun Devils have a chance to reflect on what went wrong and look ahead and what’s to come.

The Sun Devils entered their first bye week with a 3-1 record after the 30-22 loss in Lubbock, Texas, and have already matched last season’s win total. They had their chances on Saturday but dug a hole too deep to escape.

“You’re two to three plays away from … us being undefeated,” said ASU coach Kenny Dillingham. “That’s every season, for every team, forever.” Continue reading “Welcome to the Big 12: Hostile road environment rattles Arizona State football in loss to Texas Tech”

• Slug: Sports–Arizona Cardinals Reflections, 700 words.
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By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After an explosive victory over the Los Angeles Rams in their second game of the season, the Arizona Cardinals sputtered offensively in a home loss to the Detroit Lions.

By Monday, the Cardinals were already looking ahead to the Washington Commanders, who visit State Farm Stadium next, and when they did, they might have noticed some faces familiar to Valley football fans.

Jayden Daniels, the Commanders quarterback and the second overall pick from last year’s NFL Draft, returns to the desert after playing his first three collegiate seasons at Arizona State. Daniels transferred to Louisiana State following his 2021 campaign and went on to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy before declaring for the NFL Draft. Continue reading “Cardinals ready to move on after loss to Lions against familiar faces”

• Slug: Sports–Suns Al McCoy Memories, 1,000 words.
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ByDoyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Al McCoy was the iconic voice of the Phoenix Suns for 51 years and is a beloved figure in Arizona sports.

But those who knew him best say that he was just as beloved as a person – someone who cared about the welfare of others.

Julie Fie, the former vice president of basketball communications for the Phoenix Suns, recalls living “parallel lives” in the NBA world with McCoy as two proud Iowans. While most Arizonans got to listen to McCoy over the airwaves, Fie heard his voice up close. Continue reading “It was good to hear your voice: Popularity of Suns broadcaster Al McCoy spanned generations”

• Slug: Sports–Taurasi Final. 1,156 words.
• Photos available.

By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The outcome of Thursday’s Phoenix Mercury regular-season finale against the Seattle Storm at Footprint Center didn’t matter.

The playoff-bound Mercury lost 89-70, but scenes from the stands suggested otherwise. Handmade signs in the crowd reading, “DT, we’re NOT ready” and “If this is it, I might cry” perfectly evoked the collective feeling of fans attending what could have been Mercury guard Diana Taurasi’s last home game.

As the Mercury’s ‘If this is it’ campaign implied, the night was supposed to be a celebration, a chance to honor the greatest player to grace the WNBA. But the night was an emotional rollercoaster. Fans were just as prepared to say goodbye as they were ready to chant, “One more year!” every chance they could.

Continue reading “Is this it? Diana Taurasi’s potential last Phoenix Mercury home game an emotional affair”

• Slug: Sports–ASU men’s golfers. 1,421 words.
• Photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On the course, Arizona State men’s golfers Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays aren’t exactly best friends.

Like true brothers, they argue, compete, and strive to outdo each other in everything and anything they do.

From the moment they step off the Thunderbirds Golf Complex in Phoenix, they return home, either retreating to their respective rooms or gathering around the television, continuing life as the No. 6 and No. 7 amateur golfers and roommates of nearly four years.

“It’s kind of funny because I love Preston so much but I want to beat him so bad every day,” Ballester said. “We always get those kinds of healthy but funny conflicts on the course. It’s great because it’s healthy competitiveness and that’s what you need.”

Continue reading “Friendship, fierce competition drive ASU men’s golfers Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays in NCAA title chase”

• Slug: Sports-Basha High Football, 630 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Ethan Desjardine
Cronkite News

CHANDLER – At Basha High School, nothing draws a larger crowd than when the Bears play under the Friday night lights at Jim Wall Stadium. The stands are packed with a few thousand fans, and as the Bears enter the field, the crowd’s roar is deafening.

The fans expect success, and the Basha Bears under coach Chris McDonald have been one of the best success stories in all of Arizona high school football over the past few years.

Not surprisingly, the Bears are off to a hot start in 2024 and have talent on both sides of the ball. Continue reading “Championship fever? Basha Bears charging toward football state title under coach Chris McDonald”

• Slug: Sports-Phoenix Rising Postseason, 1,000 words.
• Graphic available.
• Photos available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On a cold November night in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, in 2023, history was made in the United Soccer League. In a memorable match that still resonates with Valley soccer fans, Phoenix Rising defeated the Charleston Battery for the team’s first USL title.

Throughout the 2023 season, Rising was one of the best teams on paper statistically behind striker Daniel Trejo, Manuel Arteaga and Dariusz Formella – and that was just on the offense. Likewise, the defense was stacked with goalie Rocco Rios Novo, alongside defenders Darnell King and Eddie Munjoma.

While Rising had a talented roster, the team had to navigate through one of the deepest USL leagues in recent memory and finished the regular season in sixth place. Continue reading “Another magic moment? Phoenix Rising FC looks to replicate 2023 championship run”

• Slug: Sports-Football Guardian Cap, 1,620 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When Erin and Lee Hanson were creating Guardian Sports in 2011, their son Jake Hanson was playing middle school football. Like all parents, the Hansons were concerned about the serious injuries that come with playing the physical sport.

The injury they feared most was concussions, which occur after athletes take hits to the head area. The Hansons’ apprehension mostly was due to the uncertainty and lack of information regarding concussions at the time.

This concern added more motivation behind the innovation of Guardian Sports, which aims to create equipment that will protect athletes and change how they play sports. The Hansons’ prior experience in the material science and technology industry led to the creation of the Guardian Cap. Continue reading “The rise of Guardian Caps: Protecting players, reducing concussions but facing pushback”

• Slug: Sports-Cree Thomas Notre Dame, 900 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — When searching for information about Cree Thomas, you’ll find highlights, four stars next to his name, All-State honors and a commitment to Notre Dame. But to Thomas and those around him at Brophy College Preparatory, he’s so much more than what his football profile shows.

“Faith and family,” Thomas, a highly coveted senior cornerback, said when he was asked what is most important to him in life, also mentioning his role in the Black Student Union at Brophy.

“He’s a leader,” said Brophy defensive coordinator Kevin Scott. “And that to me is one of the most important things about him. At the end of the day, people want to follow someone like Cree.” Continue reading “Faith, family and football: Brophy College Prep star Cree Thomas proves he’s more than stats”

• Slug: Sports-Taurasi Mercury Future, 960 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Will longtime guard Diana Taurasi return for another season, or will the postseason mark the end of her heralded career in the Valley?

“I don’t know,” Taurasi, 42, said after the Mercury’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks Tuesday. “The last couple of weeks it’s been a little nerve-wracking for myself. I don’t want to make any emotional (or) rash decisions. I know the end is near. When that is, I don’t know.

“I’ve always been a person that just concentrates on what’s next, and that’s practice (on Wednesday), and (a game versus) Seattle on Thursday. When the season’s over, I’ll reflect, get advice from the people (who) are close to my heart and (have) been with me since day one. So you never know, but who knows.”

Continue reading “Diana Taurasi ponders future, Sophie Cunningham signs extension as Phoenix Mercury brace for WNBA playoffs”