Joseph Plishka
Joseph Plishka joh-sif pl-ih-sh-ka
Sports Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Joey Plishka expects to graduate in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in December of 2023. Plishka is a multimedia journalist who has interned in communications at New City Church, as a photo director for WCSN and as a photo editor for the Arizona Coyotes.

Latest from Joseph Plishka

Photo essay: Arizona Coyotes prospects shine at 2023 development camp despite unknown future

SCOTTSDALE – Following an improved 2022-23 season, the Arizona Coyotes gave fans a glimpse into the future at their 2023 development camp. From July 3-7, the Coyotes held practices and a scrimmage to let their prospects get a taste of the NHL.


Health care providers offer free help with chronic illnesses, not just urgent care, to people experiencing homelessness

PHOENIX – Valley health care providers who serve the homeless population agree that summer months are especially dangerous for those without shelter. But they add that chronic medical conditions and drug use contribute to the alarming increase in deaths among those experiencing homelessness.

Circle the City provides free medical care to homeless individuals in the Phoenix area. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Suns wrap up final tune-up before NBA summer league run

PHOENIX – A team of unfamiliar faces will take the court Saturday when the Phoenix Suns open Summer League play in Las Vegas. Summer League coach Quinton Crawford and draft pick Toumani Camara address what the expectations will be Vegas.

Toumani Camara said he’s excited to put on the Phoenix Suns jersey for NBA Summer League. The team plays its first game Saturday in Las Vegas. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Yarnell Hill Fire 10 years later: Lessons learned, lives remembered, community rebuilt

YARNELL – Ten years later, the story of Yarnell is one of loss but also survival. A Navajo heirloom emerging intact from the rubble. A burned, wounded cat seeking comfort from a stranger. And a firefighter, the lone survivor of the hotshots crew, trying to rebuild a life and answer a question that haunts him: “Why didn’t I die that day?”

A photo of all 20 Granite Mountain Hotshots posing in a human pyramid was turned into a statue at the Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial. (Photo by Sean Lynch/Cronkite News)

Valley of dreams: Phoenix Suns rookie Toumani Camara in awe of NBA arrival

PHOENIX – With the 52nd pick in the draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Toumani Camara. A defensive-style player with a drive to win, Camara will fit seamlessly into Frank Vogel’s style of play.

Phoenix Suns forward Toumani Camara was introduced Tuesday at the Verizon 5G Performance Center. Camara was drafted by the Suns as the 52nd overall pick last Thursday in the 2023 NBA Draft. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Tommy Lloyd, Bobby Hurley provide offseason updates in new age of recruiting

PHOENIX – At the Section 7 high school tournament, Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd and ASU men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley reflected on the state of college basketball and how their teams are shaping up for next season.

Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley is taking his team on an offseason trip to Europe. He hopes the journey will be a bonding experience for his returning players and new recruits in this challenging era of college basketball coaching. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Camp Not-A-Wheeze offers youth with asthma a normal camp experience while educating them on how to manage their chronic disease

HEBER – Camp Not-A-Wheeze is a summer camp tailored for youth with asthma to provide them a safe and educational experience. The camp provides a majority of its campers scholarships and arms them with information on how to manage their chronic disease.

A sign welcomes campers to Camp Not-A-Wheeze in Heber, Arizona. The camp educates children ages 7 to 14 about asthma and how they can live normal lives despite their chronic lung disease. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Girls basketball takes center court for first time at Section 7 Tournament

GLENDALE – The best girls basketball players and teams took the court for their own tournament last weekend at State Farm Stadium, where college coaches from across the country lined the courts for their first in-person evaluations.


Mercury’s early-season woes continue as Brittney Griner injures hip in loss to Seattle Storm

PHOENIX – The severity of Brittney Griner’s injury isn’t known yet, but it’s clear the Mercury have room to improve from a 2-6 start to the season. Which areas are hurting them most?

The Phoenix Mercury trail most of the WNBA in key statistical categories on defense. The team's defensive numbers could dip even lower after Brittney Griner's injury in Tuesday's loss to the Seattle Storm. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a drone! Major League Drone Racing hosts first live preseason race

PEORIA – A new competitive sport is on the rise and it involves flying drones. Major League Drone Racing has entered their 2023 preseason with a race at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

A drone flown by the Arizona Desert Hawks whizzes through the air during a preseason training race against the Phoenix Falcons last Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Photo essay: From steer wrestling to bull riding, Gart Hardt Memorial Rodeo honors those who came before

PAYSON – The recent Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo in Payson was a night of remembrance for a former rider and roper, and for those in the military for Patriot Night.

Clay Wagner holds onto Salt River Rodeo’s Saturday Night Fever during the bull riding event at the 36th Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

ASU’s bats wake up to secure must-win victory over Oregon State in Pac-12 tournament

SCOTTSDALE – ASU baseball earned a much-needed 14-10 win against Oregon State to stay alive in the hunt for the NCAA tournament. The Sun Devils’ win comes after a difficult loss Tuesday against in-state rival UArizona.

Arizona State's Owen Stevenson embraces catcher Bronson Balholm after closing out a must-win 14-10 victory over Oregon State in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

‘We’re going to bounce back’: ASU baseball optimistic despite dropping Pac-12 tournament opener

SCOTTSDALE – More than a month after losing 20-0 to the University of Arizona, the Sun Devils walked a season-high 10 batters in a 12-3 loss in the first game of the Pac-12 tournament at Scottsdale Stadium.

ASU baseball took a thumping Tuesday in a 12-3 loss to UArizona in the Pac-12 tournament opener at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)