Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui will be among more than 200 people sworn in as naturalized U.S. citizens on Friday. According to South Mountain Community College, the soon-to-be citizens will take the Oath of Allegiance at SMCC as part of ceremonies which run from 8 a.n.-9:45 a.m. and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The ceremonies are part of the annual Fiesta of Independence held around July 4th weekend.
This year, people from 55 different countries will be sworn in as citizens by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Lutui was born in the South Pacific nation …

It was good to see Desert Ridge linebacker Sam Papa taking part in last week’s Fiesta Bowl 7-on-7 competition at the Brophy Sports Complex.
The senior-to-be had last season cut short when he suffered a severely strained hip while trying to tackle Mountain Pointe’s Joey Leal in mid-October. At the time, he was leading the team in receiving, and still ended up as Desert Ridge’s leading tackler despite missing the final three games.
After the hit, Papa laid on the field for 40 minutes before being loaded onto a stretcher and into …

Mesa point guard Jahii Carson continues to explode nationally, as St. John’s is the latest to show serious interest in the 5-foot-10 senior.
Carson has unofficially visited UCLA, ASU and UA, and also has Marquette, Alabama, Indiana and a h0st of others competing for his services.
But with the recent transfer of second-leading scorer Danny Powell to Desert Vista, the Jackrabbits will start next year with only one other holdover rotation player – guard Charles Croxen.
But it doesn’t worry coach Shane Burcar. He is excited about the talent waiting in the wings, …

Junior boys basketball forward Danny Powell, the player expected to be Mesa’s No. 2 option behind point guard Jahii Carson, is transferring to Desert Vista, Mesa coach Shane Burcar said.
Powell averaged12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season for the Jackrabbits, and has been playing on varsity since his freshman season.
“I wish him all the luck,” Burcar said. “He’s a good kid.”
Powell had to share touches with several talented players on Mesa’s top-seeded team last year, but with Blondy Baruti, Adam Milkovich and Mohamed Sobh all graduating, his role was expected …