All the accolades wouldn’t have mattered much without the ring. Scottsdale Saguaro quarterback Tim Ruben hit the elusive 2,000-yard rushing, 2,000-yard passing milestone in the third quarter of the 4A-I championship game against Tucson Canyon del Oro on Dec. 8, but it was the furthest thing from his mind one quarter later.

All-Tribune First Team

Someday, the talent pool will dry up enough and the Chandler High girls track program will be challenged for state supremacy. That day, however, is not in the immediate future.

All-Tribune First Team

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.

McClintock's Cameron Forte averaged 21.9 points and 7.7 rebounds to garner the Tribune's Boys Basketball Player of the Year award.

All-Tribune First Team Offense

When Peoria Centennial routed Chandler Hamilton early in the 2008 prep football season, the Coyotes staked their claim to the title of best team in Arizona.

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

Robert Esser admits to fleeting moments of jealousy as he watched his teammates take their aggression out on a volleyball, while he was the one who always floated it to them.

Robert Esser admits to fleeting moments of jealousy as he watched his teammates take their aggression out on a volleyball, while he was the one who always floated it to them.

Even before he entered high school, impossible expectations were thrust upon Matt Carlino. Two years later, he’s somehow lived up to them. Carlino entered his freshman year at Gilbert Highland already a household name in basketball circles, and the first year had its ups and downs.

Many of the top players from last year's boys volleyball season are moving on. But the top teams aren't going anywhere. Although it's a new group individually among the cream of the crop, the top programs aren't going to rebuild this year - they'll just reload.

Despite his record performances as a junior last year, it wouldn't have been totally unexpected to see John Wojciechowski lose an event at state this season.

Mountain Pointe struck first by winning this past weekend’s Chandler Wolf Howl Invitational, but the boys volleyball season is just beginning to ramp up.

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

So, how was your week? Likely not as tumultuous as that of the Arizona State football team, which underwent a high-profile quarterback shake-up days before the start of the regular season.

So, how was your week?

Tempe Marcos de Niza yearns to sidestep the stumbling block that has plagued its ascent to the top of 5A Division II as the prep football season opens for many schools on Friday.

As conspiracies go, it’s pretty far-fetched, although anyone who watched the 5A Division I state track meet would believe it’s possible.

August 28, 2004

Three days left until Christmas. I had better start shopping.

It’s an interesting juxtaposition.