Sports News April 29, 2009

Tigers Look Average in Season's First Loss, By M. Casillas

A frustrated, Coach Lopez, walks back to the dugout after talking to his team during Saturday's loss to Show Low. Globe's perfect season, as well as the team's 15 game win streak, came to an end on Saturday when the Tigers were defeated at home by the visiting Show Low Cougars. Pitcher, Brady Wager breezed his way through the first two innings, striking out four, but after striking out the first two batters in the top of the third inning, Show Low was able to produce some two out damage with back to back RBI doubles, taking the lead at 0-2. Globe made it a one run game in the bottom of the fourth when Billy Kidd smashed an RBI double to right, scoring Gabe Valtierra from second base. The Tigers were then able to keep the Cougars scoreless in the top of the fifth, setting the table for the team's biggest inning of the day. After a leadoff walk to Zack Zimora, Junior Josh Cota tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI triple to center. Brady Wager then walked and was brought around on a two RBI double by Zach Powell, which gave the Tigers a 4-2 lead. However, that lead would not hold, as the Tigers endured a miserable defensive performance in the sixth inning. Wager struck out the first batter he faced in the sixth, but walked the second. The next batter lined a double to left field to put runners at second and third. Wager then hit a batter to load the bases with only one out. After a brief visit to the mound from Coach Lopez, everything fell apart for the usually solid Tiger defense, when senior short-stop, Gabe Valtierra, committed an error on a play that could have ended the inning, but instead allowed a run to score and kept the bases loaded. Show Low was later able to tie the game at 4-4 when Wager walked in a run. Globe would then blow yet another chance to end the inning when second basemen, Zach Powell booted a ground ball for the team’s second error of the inning. That misplay allowed another Cougar run to cross the plate and again kept the bases loaded. Show Low then manufactured another run in the inning on a fielders choice single, which put Globe in a 4-6 whole. Globe did nothing in their sixth inning at bat, going down in order. The quick at-bat allowed Show Low to keep the momentum going with a leadoff double to open the seventh inning. After the hit, Wager was able to strike out two straight batters, but that leadoff runner would come into play with two outs, when a Wager pitch got by catcher, Vince Buzan, allowing the runner to score from third. That run made the score 4-7, which would be the final. Despite being hit hard by Show Low, Wager went seven complete innings on the mound, striking out 11 batters in the loss. Coach Lopez says, he is not surprised by his teams struggles on Saturday saying, "the past few practices have been mediocre. We lacked focus and intensity all week and it showed during the game. If you want to be champions, you have to prepare like champions and we did not do that" While positives are hard to find in a loss, Coach went on to say that "A loss now is better than a loss in the playoffs." Globe is now 15-1 with two games left to play in the regular season. The final game will be played at home on May 1 against Maricopa.

Belvado Working Hard at Whittier College

2006 Globe High School graduate, Emily Belvado is currently in the middle of a very busy track and field schedule at Whittier College (CA). Belvado is enjoying a solid season thus far, which includes being part of a new school record in the women's 4x100 relay. Emily and her team, who were running together for the very first time, sliced over a half second off the school record, running 51.36. The old record was 52.02, set back in 2004. The team has three events remaining before the NCAA Championships in Marietta, OH on May 21. Belvado is also preparing for her final season on the Poets basketball team. Last seaon the Poets' finished with a 16-10 overall record and an 8-6 conference record. Head Coach Brad Durchslag expects a big season from his returning players, including Belvado, who was a standout player at Globe High School. Copper Country News will continue to bring you updates on Emily and other area graduates now playing college ball.

High Desert Track Takes 1st and 2nd at San Manuel Tournament, By Monika K. Valencia

High Desert Middle School boy’s and girls's track team traveled to San Manuel for a tournament Thursday, April 23rd. Everyone performed immensely, but when the dust cleared HDMS boy's came in first place and the girls in second. Top performances by boys, making athletes of the season were 8th grader Brantley Shumay, 7th grader Jared Gonzales, and 6th grader Joe Burk. And top performances by girls were 8th grader Danisha Rodriguez, 7th grader Sierra Voltura, and 6th grader Jasmine Tewawina. When Coach Furin was ask to comment on the team, he said "I'm extremely impressed with the dedication and effort put forth by my athletes during this season and throughout the tournament." Congratulations to everyone for all your hard work.

AIA: San Carlos Must Forfeit Three Varsity Basketball Seasons, By M. Casillas

San Carlos High School Athletic Director, Donna Antonio, has announced that the school must forfeit three year's worth of varsity basketball games played from 2004-2005 to 2007-2008. This after the AIA ruled that San Carlos High School violated several rules, under then Athletic Director and Head Boy’s Basketball Coach, Jim Acton. Antonio says the AIA has decided that Acton and SCHS violated several policies including: student eligibility, domicile transfer rule, recruiting, as well as the coaches’ code of ethics. The violations stem from an investigation into Acton's handling of nine student-athletes, who have now been ruled ineligible to compete. One of the students in question even followed Acton to Globe High School, which later forced the Tigers to miss this year's 3A State Basketball Tournament. After San Carlos self-reported their involvement in the matter, the school was placed on a one year warning, which will not affect any future athletics, unless more violations are discovered. That warning period will last from April 20, 2009 to April 20, 2010. Antonio says she plans to release a letter to those schools affected by AIA's decision, informing them of the forfeited games. Antonio also says she will do anything in her power to avoid any future violations. That includes instituting new school policies to deal with incoming students.

Little League Now Underway, By Monika K. Valencia

Friday April 14th at 5:30, both boy's and girl's majors and minors was underway at the little league fields in Claypool. The night got started with Major League Boys, with Guayo's On The Trail vs. Miranda Training Solutions, and the Minor League Girls, Knights of Columbus vs. Kelly's Crew. The girls played a very close game with both sides showing lots of heart. When it came down to it, the score was 7-8 and the Knights of Columbus pushing through to get the win. Lots of help from pitcher and catcher team Courtney Dierksen and Bethanie Hudson doing a great job. At 7:30, the Minor League Boy’s and Major League Girl’s took the field. The boys got it kicked off with Napa vs. Rodriguez Roofing, and getting the ballgame off to a good start #2 Michael Ruiz, getting an in the ballpark homerun, and doing a great job behind the plate, Breaden Sargent. At the end of the night, Rodriguez Roofing came out ahead with 5-6 being final score. The girls also got off to a great start with both sides fighting for victory. In the end Jonovich overcame J & B Trucking and was victorious with a final score of 6-16.

2009 2A South Region Baseball Tournament

San Carlos High School will be hosting the 2009 2A South Region Baseball Tournament this week. The first round of the six-team event will be played at the higher seed. The #6 seeded team Miami, will travel to San Carlos to play the #5 seeded Braves, and the #4 seeded Camp Verde Cowboys will travel to Kearny to take on the #3 seeded Ray Bearcats. The region's top two seeds, #1 Hayden and #2 San Manuel, will enjoy a first round bye. Hayden will take on the winner of Miami and San Carlos, while San Manuel will play the winner of the Ray-Camp Verde game. All games on Saturday will be played at San Carlos High School.Round 1 - Wed, April 29, Semi-Finals Saturday, May 2, Finals Saturday, May 2

2009 2A South Region Softball Tournament

Hayden High School is the host school for the 2009 2A South Region Softball Tournament being held this week. As is the case with the baseball tournament, the two first round games will be played at the higher seed. The #5 seed, Miami, will travel to #4 Hayden, and the #6 seed, Superior, will play at #3 Ray. Both opening round games will be played at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. #1 San Manuel and #2 Camp Verde have earned a first round bye and will play the winners of the first round games on Saturday. San Manuel will play the winner of game 1, while Camp Verde will play the winner of game 2. The losers from games 3 and 4 will play at 2:00 on Saturday for the third and fourth seeds. All games on Saturday will be played at Hayden High School. Round 1 - Wed, April 29, Semi-Finals Saturday, May 2, Finals Saturday, May 2