There wasn’t much question about the best boys basketball team in Division I last year, as Corona del Sol finished the season on a 30-game winning streak and cruised past Laveen Cesar Chavez for the state championship.

Will a more experienced team this season translate to a bigger and better year for Mesa Mountain View?

Kelsey Lawson may have been the best girls tennis player in the East Valley (again), but she was unofficially second place in her own house.

Kelsey Lawson may have been the best girls tennis player in the East Valley (again), but she was unofficially second place in her own house.

A lot of new faces and a few old ones.

Striking the right balance offensively and defensively. If that happens in 2008, Gilbert High expects a repeat trip to the 5A Division I playoffs — and a longer stay.

Mesa High’s Aaron Fuller had a wealth of motivation heading into the 2007-08 basketball season.

The season and high school soccer career of Alexandra Elston ended bitterly and controversially against Phoenix Desert Vista in the 5A-I state semifinals.

His coach cringed, but it was no big deal to Josh von Allworden. Never one for soccer accessories to begin with, von Allworden forgot his socks, which hold shinguards in place, so he used athletic tape to adhere the shinguards directly to his legs.

Sherod Hardt needed one state title in track to appease himself, and he finally got it this year as a senior.

Sherod Hardt needed one state title in track to appease himself, and he finally got it this year as a senior.

From the beginning of her high school career, Cat Highmark exhibited exceptional talent. And she exhibited an exceptional attitude for a player with exceptional talent.

No disrespect to the local high school track and field — especially because it’s as good as ever the past five years — but sometimes it pays to go beyond these borders.

The four East Valley boys basketball coaching searches are either in the interview stage or nearing it. There doesn’t seem to be a ton of overlap among the top candidates for each position, and each situation is unique from the others.

There’s room at the top, but not much.

 One year ago, Paradise Valley coach Donnie Yantis could see the potential oozing from then-sophomore running back Tyree Parker.

Jerryd Bayless stood at the end of the Phoenix St. Mary’s bench as the seconds ticked away in the 5A Division I state championship game.

As we review the past century, Arizona had many great leaders and some not so great. I worked along with Ernest McFarland, had contact with Barry Goldwater. They were honestly interested in people and justice, not dividing the country. What qualifies a Jay Heiler to be a Board of Regent member? Many with no constructive solutions find fault with any action of the federal government. Top the list with Tom Patterson, president of the Goldwater Institute and weekly editorial contributor to the East Valley Tribune. References to God to support political positions are not consistent with my varied Christian upbringing. Barry Goldwater was a true patriot; he should not be required to share that title with a Russell Pearce.

After winning just six games in two seasons under the stoic Walt Harris, Stanford has received a Red Bull-sized jolt of energy from excitable first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

NEW YORK - Many celebrities with relatives or other ties to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have voiced their empathy for those devastated by Hurricane Katrina; some have been directly affected.

The Rev. Ann Baines, who has led a prophetic ministry for 20 years, will hold a conference, “Come Expecting Your Miracle,” at Power Life Center, 6215 E. Main St., Suite 2, Mesa. Sessions will be 7 p.m. Friday and Aug. 25 and 10:30 a.m. Aug. 26.

Reality didn't exactly bite Tempe Corona del Sol in the bud during last year's 5A Division I state tournament, it was more like 10 minutes.