Basketball at breakneck pace a way of life on Navajo reservation

WINDOW ROCK — At 5:15 a.m., sunrise is only a thin pale highlight over red rock mesas in the east as Alicia Hale steps out of her house for her daily run. Even in June, the morning is so chilly at an altitude of almost 7,000 feet that she needs several layers to stay warm.


Giveaways help boost Diamondbacks’ Saturday attendance

The first thing Bernie Ray looks at when the Diamondbacks announce their schedule is the promotional games. She hasn’t missed one of them. After all, an A.J. Pollock Star Wars bobblehead is worth planning for.

A.J. Pollock bobblehead photo

Arizona Coyotes and Sun Devil Athletics announce partnership for 2015-16 season

TEMPE - Hockey leaders in Phoenix unveiled an Arizona Coyotes jersey with the No. 15 and Sun Devils on the back Wednesday, signifying a union of the two hockey giants.

Sun Devils hockey photo

Despite three championships, Mercury still fight for attention

The last eight years have been remarkable for the Phoenix Mercury.

Phoenix Mercury photo

Cardinals’ Welter’s message to young girls: ‘They can do anything’

TEMPE – Jen Welter has loved football ever since she can remember. When the Arizona Cardinals introduced her Tuesday afternoon at their Tempe headquarters, the team’s newest addition to the coaching staff recalled grabbing the pigskin and barreling into her cousins as a young girl.

Jen Welter photo

Local youth soccer club hoping heart rate monitors improve performance, efficiency

While coaching the women’s soccer team at St. Mary’s College of California, head coach Kai Edwards noticed something about his star player, Caroline Kruez. She was always out ahead of everybody. She would touch the sideline first in sprints, get to the ball before any opponent in a game and she never asked for a substitution.

Polar heart rate monitor photo

Randy Johnson reflects on parents’ support in HOF induction speech

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Long before Randy Johnson was dominating hitters at the major league level, the lefthander was tossing tennis balls at his family’s wooden garage door in Livermore, California.

Baseball players holding Hall of Fame plaques

Diamondbacks fans soak in Cooperstown’s baseball atmosphere

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – A smattering of Diamondbacks faithful have made the trek this weekend to this small town located at the edge of Otsego Lake, about 200 miles north of New York City, joining baseball fans from across the country in the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.


Glendale City Council approves new two-year Coyotes agreement

GLENDALE – Mayor Jerry Weiers said he believes Friday’s vote to accept a new lease agreement with the Arizona Coyotes is a sign of a brighter future for the city of Glendale.

Gila River Arena photo

Johnson overcame early-career control issues on way to Hall of Fame

Some pitchers in baseball are described as graceful.


En route to Hall, Johnson continues to be a valuable resource for D-backs

Randy Johnson used to cram his 6-foot-10-inch frame into the luggage racks above the seats in the charter buses used by his minor league team so he could sleep on long road trips. He said 12- to 15-hour rides were common when he was coming up through the Montreal Expos’ system in the late 1980s.

Randy Johnson photo

Phoenix Underwater Hockey Club takes root in desert

TEMPE – Snorkels poke out above the water of the outdoor pool at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Fitness Complex.