Jennifer Brierton coaches boys tennis and cross country at Mesa High. The Jackrabbits are hanging to a team state tournament spot with players like Josh Sexton and Matt Ledwith also seeking individual postseason spots. Before they set out against a gauntlet of Mesa schools, Chandler and Hamilton to conclude the regular season, Brierton talked about her team, the tournament and how acting like Monica Seles is helpful.
How do you feel this team is playing to this point?
We have a lot of talent but we’re going through sickness and a couple …

The Las Vegas Bishop Gorman baseball team entered Horizon’s Big League Dugout Invitational this week as the top-ranked team in the nation, according to Maxpreps.com.
The Gaels also might be one of the most divisive.
From before the first pitch on Monday against Hamilton, the team’s attitude was evident.
The players huddled in a circle near third base and swayed back and forth, chanting and pumping themselves up for the contest. One scout on hand remarked that he wouldn’t allow his team do something like that.
Once the game started, the Bishop Gorman dugout …

The baseball teams from Arizona that played in the Big League Dugout Invitational this week were Hamilton, Brophy, Corona del Sol, Chaparral and Horizon.
The Aztecs are the only team that hasn’t entered the Tribune’s top-5 rankings this season, and with a record of only 3-7 heading into the tournament, likely would have been the least likely choice to advance out of pool play.
That’s why it’s a good thing they play the games.
Corona del Sol went 3-0 in Pool C, including an impressive 5-3 win over Chaparral on Wednesday night …

To no one’s surprise, longtime Corona del Sol football coach Gary Venturo will be enshrined into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.
Venturo was voted in by the hall of fame committee this week. The induction ceremony and luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 1 at the Phoenix Elks Lodge 335 (14424 North 32nd St., Phoenix).
Venturo coached in Arizona for 39 years, the last 23 at Corona del Sol. He was 154-101-1 at Corona including two 5A semifinals appearances in 1989 and 1991. He reached the playoffs …