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EV players, coaches rejoice over tourneys

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic robbed high school athletes of “normal” experience in 2020.

The entire spring season was canceled. The fall season was at risk of the same fate before it was delayed. Eventually, play resumed but with several cancellations due to outbreaks within programs.

As a result of a delayed fall season, winter sports offered fewer games and none of the in-season tournaments that basketball players have come to love to participate in during winter break.

But 2021 allowed teams to turn the page on condensed seasons. And with that, tournaments and fans returned.

“These tournaments are big time,” Stansberry said. “We do our own – Fear the Hop – and that prepares us going into the season. Last year our very first game was not only a power point game but a region game against Red Mountain. We had no idea about my team.”

Stansberry and Mesa host the Fear the Hop Tournament before the start of the season on a yearly basis. It often brings together teams from across Arizona and at times, some from other states.

Tournaments like Fear the Hop offer coaches an early look not only at what their team may be capable of for the upcoming Mesa head basketball coach Scott Stansberry said tournaments prepare his players for the postseason tournament, something he believes may have played a factor last season with his team’s early exit in the playoffs. (Dave

Minton/Tribune Staff) season, but those they may need to look out for throughout the season. Last year, with tournaments canceled and the season shortened, Mesa and other programs were thrown into region play right away in January. The Jackrabbits, led by a talented group of seniors, ended the regular season 15-2 and the second seed in the 6A playoffs before they were upset in the first round.

Talbot Cummard, a senior wing at Mesa, credits preseason and midseason tournaments with helping him and his teammates prepare not only for a brutal stretch in region play but the postseason, too, where teams often play multiple games a week with little preparation – much like what takes place in tournaments.

“They teach us a lot about ourselves and what we need to improve on,” Cummard said. “There was a lot of adjustments to get back to it but I’m glad we can be part of the atmosphere and get a look at some of the other teams.”

Other programs across the East Valley are also reaping the benefits of midseason tournaments and other showcases returning.

Gilbert has long established itself as one of the top programs in the 5A Conference, dating back to the Tigers’ championship in 2018. Head coach Jay Caserio prides himself on his team’s ability to compete with the highest level of competition in the state. And at the McClintock Holiday Shootout, they proved that to be a fact.

Caserio coached the Tigers to a championship win in the holiday tournament, beating fellow 5A contender McClintock in the quarterfinals, Apollo in the semifinals and Hamilton in the title game. It’s the second straight in-season tournament Gilbert claimed the trophy, as it won its preseason Welcome to the Jungle tournament in November downing 6A favorite Perry.

The two showed Caserio the level of talent his team has and their ability to work together. It also gave them a wave of momentum heading into region play.

“The more touches you can get as a

team, that’s an opportunity to develop that chemistry and play your best in February,” Caserio said. “I’m just appreciative that we are able to play again. We missed it, especially with fans in the stands.” The tournaments themselves mean a bit more to Hamilton coach Doug Harris than most. Having played high school basketball at Corona del Sol, Harris grew up playing in the tournaments. They became are a part of who he was as a player and who he is now as a coach. And like other coaches and players, they prepare his team for a brutal stretch of schedule in the latter half of the season – when wins matter the most. It was a breath of fresh air for him to see tournaments return this season, especially with fans allowed to attend – another aspect of the pandemic last season that made the winter season one of the most unique in the history of Arizona high school sports. Harris coached Hamilton to the championship game in the McClintock Holiday Shootout. While the Huskies fell to Gilbert, it was still an eye-opening experience for the team. It showed them and the rest of the state they have what it takes to compete for a title. “You miss the fans being in here, you miss the atmosphere, you miss the coaches and going up against other great teams,” Harris said. “To have it back is monumental. They really get you ready and geared in.” ■

Free golf event introduces game to East Valley youth

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) is once again attempting to reach out to local youth in an effort to introduce them to the game of golf at an early age.

The Itty Bitty Open will tee off on Saturday, Jan. 15 at several locations across the Valley, including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Ahwatukee and Scottsdale. In its 34th year, the Itty Bitty Open provides children between the ages of 3 and 5 and their parent the opportunity to learn the game from qualified professionals from both the PGA and LPGA.

They will also have the opportunity to take part in fun-filled, non-competitive golf games and tournaments.

“For 34 years, the Itty Bitty Open is a great way for parents to introduce their children to the game of golf,” Scott McNevin, Executive Director of the JGAA, said in a press release. “In fact, adults who attended decades ago are now bringing their kids, so the second generation is already here.”

Each golfer must have an adult caddie accompany them throughout the event. The JGAA will provide each golfer with a set of right-handed plastic clubs, balls, a bag and visor to wear during the event.

The JGAA asks participants with their own set of clubs to leave them at home for the event.

Along with the tournament and other golf-related games, the JGAA will also host a “Best Dressed Golfer and Caddie Team” competition where participants can wear anything from classic golf attire to contemporary fashion to anything they can come up with that would raise the eyebrows of judges.

Winners will receive a congratulatory letter, trophy and two tickets for the R.S. Hoyt, Jr. Dream Day Activities at the 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Locations for the Itty Bitty Open include Jefferson Park in Mesa, McQueen Park in Gilbert, Espee Park in Gilbert, Pecos Park in Ahwatukee and Scottsdale Ranch Park.

It will also be held at locations in Avondale (Friendship Park), Glendale (Legend at Arrowhead Golf Club), Goodyear (Falcon Park), Maricopa (Copper Sky Multigenerational Center), Peoria (Rio Vista Community Center), Surprise (Surprise Stadium), Tempe (Benedict Park) and 10 other locations in Phoenix.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign up by Sunday, Jan. 9. RSVP by calling 602-944-6168 or visit JGAA.org and click on Itty Bitty Open to learn more. ■