All in the family: Freshmen twins Kalek and Kaden House lead Desert Mountain basketball to best season in school history

PHOENIX – Freshmen Kalek and Kaden House, who are twin sons of Eddie House, play varsity basketball at Desert Mountain High School. One of the assistant coaches is Michael Bibby Jr., son of Michael Bibby, who is cousins with Kalek and Kaden House.

Kaden House, left, and Kalek House, right, starred on Desert Mountain's basketball team last season, leading the team in every key statistical category. (Photo courtesy of Mingson Lau/Arizona Republic)

Arizona LGBTQ+ hockey league leads the way, offering inclusive safe place to play

Arizona Legacy Pride Hockey Association, an LGBTQ+ hockey league, is working to make the sport more inclusive and accessible. In conjunction with the Arizona Coyotes, ALPHA has created a safe space for growth.

Arizona Legacy Pride Hockey Association is the state's first LGBTQ+ hockey league, where members learn to skate and play hockey in an inclusive environment. (Photo courtesy of Nate Engle)

Going (Savannah) Bananas: Exhibition baseball teams take over Scottsdale, Peoria to delight of fans

SCOTTSDALE – The Savannah Bananas came to Scottsdale Stadium and Peoria Sports Complex last weekend as part of their 2023 world tour. The game featured plenty of entertainment outside of the unique Banana Ball rules.

The Savannah Bananas split their two games last weekend in Scottsdale and Peoria, but the final results came second to the overall experience for fans and players. (Photo by John Busker/Cronkite News)

Another assist: Suns guard Chris Paul helps kids read, learn with his new children’s book

PHOENIX – Chris Paul partnered with Page Turners Make Great Learners to promote his new children’s book and encourage children to read more. The 12-time NBA All-Star had so much fun doing a virtual read-along event, he invited a classroom of kids from an Atlanta-area school to a game when the Suns visited the Atlanta Hawks and met the young readers face-to-face.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul has helped increase representation in publishing by authoring two children's books. "Once upon a time, I couldn’t see myself on the bookshelves," PTMGL founder Fefe Handy said. (File photo by Harrison Zhang/Cronkite News)

San Diego State’s loss to UConn in NCAA National Championship game does little to quiet Pac-12 rumors

HOUSTON – Despite the Aztecs' loss against UConn in the national championship game Monday night, their NCAA tournament run has solidified the athletic program’s case for a potential move to the Pac-12.

San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher wouldn't be surprised if a Power 5 conference showed interest in the Aztecs. "Everything we're about is first-class," he said after Monday's national championship game. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Phoenix Rising sets franchise attendance record in first game at new stadium

Phoenix Rising set its franchise record for attendance when more than 10,400 fans attended the team’s first game in its new stadium at 38th Street and Washington. Rising battled to a 2-2 draw with San Diego Loyal in the game.

On the move throughout the Valley in recent seasons, Phoenix Rising attracted over 10,000 fans in the club's first game at their new stadium. (Photos courtesy of Phoenix Rising FC)

‘We couldn’t be closer:’ Hurley brothers strive to continue family legacy

HOUSTON – With UConn set to play in the championship game on Monday, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley is living in the moment with his brother, Dan.

UConn coach Dan Hurley and his brother, Bobby, shared a healthy sibling rivalry growing up. Now, their brotherhood is stronger than ever and will be on display in Monday's men's national championship. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

‘I got a Ph.D. in basketball’: Experience at Arizona pays off for SDSU assistant coach JayDee Luster

HOUSTON – San Diego State men’s basketball assistant coach JayDee Luster credits his time as a graduate assistant at Arizona under Sean Miller for helping him understand what it takes to help a team get to the top of the NCAA.

San Diego State Aztecs men’s basketball assistant coach JayDee Luster understands the moment of high-pressure games from his experience working with the Arizona Wildcats. (Photo courtesy of SDSU Athletics)

Dancers battle it out in Tempe for a chance to compete on the global stage

TEMPE – About 80 dancers went head-to-head in 1v1 freestyle battles as part of the Red Bull “Dance Your Style” auditions at Arizona State University’s Galvin Plaza. The top two winners advance to regional finals in Los Angeles.

Ronnie Bradley, known as Deadend, battles in the semifinal round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style audition on March 18, 2023, at Arizona State University’s Galvin Plaza in Tempe. Deadend will compete in the regional finals in Los Angeles April 1. (Photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

Coyotes’ courtship of Hispanic community continues with celebration of Cesar Chavez Day

TEMPE – The Arizona Coyotes celebrated Cesar Chavez two days early in an effort to further integrate itself into Arizona’s Hispanic community. The team, which is the NHL’s first with a Latino CEO and president, volunteered at four different sites in Tempe.

Arizona Coyotes front office staff recently helped out at ACCEL school for Cesar Chavez Day by building and doing other activities, including painting and sanding. (Photo by Haley Smilow/Cronkite News)

Milwaukee Brewers, off to 2-1 start, excited about pitching staff

PHOENIX – 2021 Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes earned the Opening Day starter spot for the Brew Crew as Milwaukee banks on pitching strength for the 2023 season.

Two-time All-Star and 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes is part of a hungry Milwaukee Brewers rotation that eyes the playoffs in 2023. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

From Sunnyslope to San Diego State, Elijah Saunders relishes road to Final Four

PHOENIX – Sunnyslope High School alum Elijah Saunders now plays for San Diego State University which is on an improbable run to the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Elijah spoke about his time at Sunnyslope and how it helped him prepare for his time at San Diego State.

Phoenix native Elijah Saunders helped Sunnyslope High win a state championship as a junior. He signed with San Diego State because its basketball program reflected similar values. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)