Hamilton forward Danny Arrubla was named this year’s Gatorade Player of the Year for Arizona boys soccer.
Arrubla, who was also the Tribune Player of the Year, led the Huskies to a 24-3 record and the school’s first boys soccer state championship after finishing second in each of the previous two years. He finished the season with 39 goals and 14 assists, including an Arizona high school postseason-record four goals in the Division I state semifinals.
He’s also maintained a ‘B’ average in the classroom and volunteers with the Salvation Army. He’s …

It was quite the doozy on Tuesday night, as a two-run, walk-off homer by Dylan Cozens led Chaparral to a 5-3 win over Brophy in the Division I state baseball championship game at Camelback Ranch.
There is video of the home run here, about halfway down the page.
Here are some notes that didn’t make the game story:
* The Chaparral pitching was really impressive. Tyger Talley, Nick Diamond and Dillon Bigcrane combined for this line: 7 innings, 6 hits, 3 ER, 15 strikeouts, 4 BB. Yes, that’s 15 strikeouts in seven innings. …

Dustin Cooper has a lot on his plate right now.
He’s recovering from surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. He’s orchestrating Saturday’s Arizona Basketball Coaches Association All-Star games. Oh, and he’s also preparing to run a program for the first time.
A busy week became even more hectic when Cooper was officially named the new boys basketball coach at Mesquite on Tuesday night following approval from the Gilbert District Governing Board. Cooper said the last several days have been ‘a whirlwind’, but he’s certainly not complaining.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I feel very …

Here are the East Valley baseball players who have been recognized by their respective sections in Division I. The voting for Players and Coaches of the Year in each section is still ongoing.
Division I, Section I
Second Team
St. Mary’s: Juan Carlos Sasso, 1B
Division I, Section II
First Team
Mesquite: Jake Howard, C; Garrett Jeffries, OF; John Ferrendelli, OF; Seth Fretheim, UT.
Hamilton: Cody Bellinger, 1B; Patrick Murphy, P; Mitch Nay, 3B.
Gilbert: Josh Moore, OF; Dustin Peterson, DH.
Desert Ridge: Keaton Cenatiempo, P.
Red Mountain: Aaron Smith, 2B.
Highland: Cody Moffett, P.
Basha: Jamie Westbrook, SS.
Second Team
Perry: Collin Braithwaite, …

Skyline associate boys basketball coach Dustin Cooper is expected to be named Mesquite’s new varsity coach following approval during Tuesday night’s Gilbert school district board meeting.
Cooper would replace John Burns, who left after two seasons to take over the Basha program. Burns went 27-26 in his tenure with the Wildcats.
Cooper was also the junior varsity coach and is the Assistant Executive Director of the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association. He coordinates the ABCA All-Star games, which showcase the state’s best players in a string of exhibition matchups. This year’s games will …

The other big-time boys basketball tournament at the end of December has also nailed down its participants.
Defending tournament champion Brophy will return, led by forward Tim Kempton.
Gilbert Christian, the Division III state champions, are joining the fray this year. The Knights lose seniors Connor Patterson and Logan Fougnies, but return Sam Jones, Roberto Reyes and Dylan Bliss. Jones and Reyes are two of the top sophomores in the state.
Highland will be there, with small forward Jake Toolson, who has multiple scholarship offers, including one from Boston College.
Other teams that have …

The VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge has set its field for December’s prestigious boys basketball tournament, according to tournament director Marc Beasley.
The in-state schools are: Pinnacle, Corona del Sol, Red Mountain, Dobson, Mountain View, Desert Vista, Mountain Pointe, Salpointe, Gilbert and Basha.
The out-of-state schools are: Ontario (Canada) Waterloo Collegiate Insititute; Toledo (Ohio) St. John’s Jesuit;  San Diego Hoover; Eugene (Ore.) Churchill, Lexington (S.C.) and Mercer Island (Wash.).
The sixth annual tournament runs from Dec. 26-29 at Mountain View.
Corona del Sol is the defending Division I state champion and proved itself as the favorite …

We haven’t been shy about criticizing the AIA in these pages, so it’s only fair that we defend the organization when it is warranted.
The state track meet began on Wednesday (until the weather turned nasty, but that’s another story), and several deserving athletes from around the state were left out through no fault of their own.
Since before the track season even began, track coaches and athletic directors in Arizona were informed, instructed and reminded about the entry process for the state meet. They also knew that there was a deadline.
So, …