Athlete of the week

Athlete of the week

Rattlers offensive specialist Damien Groce (shoulder injury) was available for last week's game in San Jose. But coach and general manager Gene Nudo left Groce on the bench in favor of a bigger Curtis Fagan at the position, and an even bigger Wilson Thomas — who had missed most of the season with an elbow injury — at receiver/linebacker.

Athlete of the week: Paije Pearson: The Chandler junior was named MVP at the Chandler Invitational on Saturday.

Athlete of the week

The girls golf team at Tempe Corona del Sol is off to a quick start after winning its opening match of the season Monday by downing Mesa Dobson and Scottsdale Desert Mountain at Dobson Ranch Golf Course.

Phoenix Desert Vista gave notice to the 5A-I ranks Tuesday — the Thunder are back.

Phoenix schools Brophy and Xavier picked up where they left off last year with easy wins over Scottsdale Horizon this week.

Athlete of the Week

Athlete of the week: Kyle Ciliento - It was inevitable. The Phoenix Pinnacle senior was going to break the state scoring record at some point this season. It just happened sooner rather than later.

Scottsdale Chaparral has picked up the intensity of its practices lately, coach Jayme Crowley said.

The Scottsdale Chaparral football team was already an underdog. Now this.

To Danny Sullivan, it's been like the night before Christmas for weeks now. In three days, the Arizona State senior quarterback will get the first start of his career against Idaho State after backing up Rudy Carpenter for the past three years.

AUGUSTA, GA. - So far, the breaks are going Phil Mickelson's way at the Masters. Even a couple of miscues on short birdie putts down the stretch at Augusta National couldn't keep Mickelson from moving among the leaders.

DENVER - Third baseman Chad Tracy left the Diamondbacks game because of his rib-cage injury again Tuesday, and the D-Backs have decided they need to give him time to heal.

So far, so good. Micah Owings went through his rehab assignment in Triple-A Tucson with near-flawless results.

Johnny Estrada grew up 10 minutes from the Oakland Coliseum and attended A’s games as a kid, so playing there in front of family and friends this weekend “is going to be pretty unbelievable,’’ he said.

HOUSTON - Closer Brandon Lyon, diagnosed with mild elbow tendinitis Friday, has not pitched since the last time he went three days in a row, and manager Bob Melvin said he will try to refrain from more threepeats, even if it is common practice for others.

August 12, 2004

Tickets for Diamondbacks spring-training games at Tucson Electric Park go on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at TEP, by calling (866) 672-1343 or at www.azdiamondbacks.com.

Emmitt Smith had just four rushing attempts and two catches in the preseason.

The Cardinals in one broad stroke Tuesday reached their mandatory roster limit and officially ended the seasons of cornerback Duane Starks and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Scottsdale Saguaro tight end Max Smith had quite the weekend.