Latest from David Rodish
For love of the game: Arete Prep’s Aiden Wander leaves heart on the field after scary injury
GILBERT – Arete Prep RB Aiden Wander doesn’t remember leaving the field after suffering a concussion early in the season. His road to recovery was long and difficult, but there was never a doubt that he was going to finish out his senior year.
Yuma Catholic QB Richard Stallworth aims to throw himself into Arizona’s record books as all-time passing leader
YUMA – Richard Stallworth sits atop most of Arizona’s all-time high school quarterback records. This season, he passed Spencer Rattler for most career touchdowns, and entering Friday’s game he’s only 183 yards away from being the state’s all-time passing yards leader.
Whistleblowers: Verbal abuse from fans prompts AIA officiating shortage, Thursday night football
PHOENIX – Most officials quit the profession after just three years. The most common reason has been dealing with verbal abuse from the stands. The lack of officials has led to the AIA moving more varsity football games to Thursday night.
Mesa High athletes memorialize former student with local cemetery cleanup
MESA – Mesa High students who participate in sports or clubs make a trip each fall to the City of Mesa Cemetery to clean up the grounds. It’s a way to give back to their community and honor the late Jackrabbit Zedo Ishikawa, who is buried there. Ishikawa’s dying words, “Carry on,” became the school’s motto, and today’s students aim to carry on the cemetery tradition.
Did Chandler-Saguaro rematch serve as potential postseason preview?
CHANDLER – For five years, nobody could top the Wolves. Last November, the Saguaro Sabercats were able to beat Chandler in the Open Division Championship, ending Chandler’s run. Friday showed a rematch of the game with a renewed Chandler offense.
Mesa high schools hit coaching reset in quest to end title drought
MESA – In a push to return to its glory days, Mesa Public Schools hired six new head coaches – three each in volleyball and football – and upgraded facilities at several schools. The Mesa district hasn’t accounted for a state football title since 2002 or a state volleyball championship since 1999.
Since 1980, Horizon volleyball coach McKenzie has thrived in evolving sports landscape
PHOENIX – Since Ronald Reagan was president, Valorie McKenzie has been the coach of Horizon High School’s volleyball team. She has seen the high school landscape change with Title IX, college recruitment and the spread of club volleyball.
Big 12 Conference remains open for expansion after Pac-12 merger talks end
PHOENIX – New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the conference is exploring all options to expand in light of USC and UCLA’s recent departure to the Big 10 conference.
Despite improvements from 2021, Diamondbacks still struggling with NL West opponents
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks have improved since last season, but still have a lot to prove against the National league West. The team is a combined 9-19 against the division.
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks and souvenirs and … Diamondbacks named most affordable for fans
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks have the most affordable fan experience in Major League Basesball in 2022, according to Team Marketing Reports 2022 MLB Fan Cost Index.
Eat, Pay, Glove: Caesars Sportsbook, Guy Fieri restaurant open at Chase Field
PHOENIX – A Caesars gambling venue has opening at Chase Field, the second major sportsbook to attach to a sports venue in Arizona. The facility includes Guy Fieri’s first restaurant in Arizona.
Battle for Arizona Avenue: Hamilton-Chandler rivalry extends to baseball with first title meeting
TEMPE – A rivalry best known for football has extended to the diamond. Hamilton High School and Chandler High School showcased their talents in the baseball 6A state championship game. Is a new rivalry underway?
Long Beach, LA docks work round the clock to slog through backlog of shipments
LONG BEACH, California – A major backlog of overseas shipments in L.A. and Long Beach, California, is leading to supply chain disruptions throughout the country.
Fast food workers strike in LA, push for better pay and safety standards across industry
LOS ANGELES – The fight for safer working conditions and creating a minimum standard at fast food restaurants led to workers protesting outside several McDonald's restaurants in Los Angeles on Nov. 9.
‘Becoming Jane’: LA exhibit explores the evolution of conservationist Jane Goodall
LOS ANGELES – Jane Goodall began living among chimpanzees in Tanzania in 1960, and over the decades she has given scientists a new understanding of our closest relatives.
Return of the Jedis: Lightspeed Saber League back in competition
BUENA PARK, California – Last month’s competition in Southern California was the first tournament for the Lightspeed Saber League since the shutdown from COVID-19.
‘Be bold. Be courageous’: Gabby Giffords opens Gun Violence Memorial in LA
LOS ANGELES – Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was gravely wounded in 2011, opened the Gun Violence Memorial at Expedition Park on Tuesday to memorialize the 3,400 Californians who died in gun violence in 2020.
LA wheelchair basketball program helps kids with physical disabilities stay active
LA84 and Las Floristas fund the Rancho Los Amigos wheelchair basketball program. This provides kids and adults a chance to stay active and compete in sports.
Sniffing out the waves: Doggy surfing contest brings smiles to spectators
HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – The Surf City Surf Dog competition in Huntington Beach, California, allows dogs to enjoy the water and humans to enjoy watching dogs ride surfboards.
They ‘just want to play:’ The history of girls in the Little League World Series
LOS ANGELES – Victoria Ruelas broke a gender barrier in 1989 by playing in the Little League World Series. Today, Ellie Bruning is continuing her legacy.
Heads-up on concussions: Cardinals’ receiver Christian Kirk praises Barrow’s Brainbook
Christian Kirk and Dr. Javier Cárdenas of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center discussed the usefulness of the Barrow Brainbook for detecting concussions and other head trauma among high school athletes.
