VarsityXtra

Since we’re down to the final four in each of the boys and girls high school soccer state championships, let’s take a gander inside the 5A Division I girls matchups:

No. 1 Xavier vs. No. 4 Highland

When: 5 p.m. Thursday

Where: Campo Verde high school (Germann Rd., one block west of Val Vista, Gilbert)

Xavier is the defending 5A-I champions and favorites to win again, but it was Highland who gave the Gators their only power-point loss this season (4A-I powerhouse Tucson Catalina Foothills was the only other Arizona school to beat Xavier).

The Hawks won 3-2 in mid-December. Although this is the time of year Xavier takes control of its destiny, we know Highland isn’t about to be intimidated by the fact Xavier hasn’t allowed a goal in the tournament thus far.

Even though Highland has never been to a girls soccer championship game, tThe Hawks have been under pressure all season, but they were on course until a couple late January losses to Mountain View and Gilbert. Wins in their final two matches (including Corona del Sol) helped steer the ship and the Hawks beat Mountain View in the playoff rematch.

Once again, Highland’s talented forwards will meet Xavier’s stonewall. The Hawks are led by seniors Karisa Price and Hilary Zenuk, junior Bethany Hightower, and freshman Ashley Hatch up top. Goalie Tessa Hamberlin has won a couple matches this season almost single-handedly.

Xavier is led by 2009 Tribune Player of the Year in goalie Annie Graham, an All-State calibur defender in Chelsea Kelly, a big-time scorer in Jessica Fitzgerald and arguably the best midfielder in the state in Sam Cummings.

Highland has the weapons to keep up and a confidence which can only be gained by beating the Gators, but the first meeting was a long time ago for both teams. Highland’s best chance for that first title match is to play keep-away as long as possible and cash in on the precious few chances which come their way.

No. 15 Corona del Sol vs. No. 6 Desert Vista

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Campo Verde high school (Germann Rd., one block west of Val Vista, Gilbert)

If there was nothing else, it would be another matchup in what’s been a longtime rival between these schools, not to mention two of the more affable, entertaining soccer coaches in the East Valley (Matt Smith at Corona del Sol; Paul Manoogian at Desert Vista).

But there’s more. They used to be in the Central Region together for several years until region realignments split them up (despite an eight-mile geographic difference). Corona del Sol won the 2007 and 2006 championships, the first of which was against Desert Vista (D.V. has been to two of the past three championship matches but lost them both).

That didn’t stop the rivalry as the two teams met in early December, a 1-0 win for Desert Vista.They met again during the Mustang Classic and D.V. won again, 2-1.

The third time ought to be no different a margin than the first two meetings. Corona is loaded with underclassmen and it hasn’t been a pretty or even fluid season. Desert Vista lost to Mountain Pointe early, fell in penalty kicks to Highland in the championship match of the Diablo Classic, Xavier, and finally Hamilton on penalty kicks at the end of the regular season.

Both sides are no strangers to semifinal soccer. Both teams have strong goaltending and a couple strong forwards.

In a nutshell, it’s nearly a wash between these two which is why 5A-I girls could be the best matches of the bunch.

Since we’re down to the final four in each of the boys and girls high school soccer state championships, let’s take a gander inside the 5A Division II boys matchup between Pinnacle and Tolleson:

No. 3 Tolleson vs. No. 2 Pinnacle

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Paradise Valley high school (3950 E. Bell Road, Phoenix)

These two schools plus Millennium (the only power point loss for Tolleson) all finished in a three-way tie for first place, where coin flips and other randomness was used to determine playoff seeding. As it’s turned out, the only bracket in soccer this season to play out as seeding dictated with the top four teams all in the semifinals.

Plenty of storylines here. It’s a showdown of the past two champions in 5A-II (Tolleson in 2009, Pinnacle in 2008) and is a rematch from early December, when Tolleson took a 2-1 victory at Pinnacle in the first power points match of the season.

That was the Pioneers only loss since they won the Jackrabbit Invitational just before Christmas, and a couple players on this year’s team were part of the ‘08 championship run.

Pioneers’ goalie Bryce Wawrzyniak had never played soccer until this season, but the football safety was talked into it since Pinnacle had no one to man the goalposts and it’s worked out well.

Up front is where Pinnacle is dangerous. Forwards Tommy Ramos and George Malki are two of the best in the state and Nick Semintendi has been a speedy compliment to the duo. Alex Zemezonak (also a football standout) and Juan Garcia patrol the midfield.

Ultimately, can Tolleson stop Malki and Ramos? They did it with success in the early-season matchup, but twice is asking a lot.

Since we’re down to the final four in each of the boys and girls high school soccer state championships, let’s take a gander inside the 5A Division II girls matchups:

No. 5 Marana Mountain View vs. No. 9 Desert Mountain

When: 5 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Paradise Valley high school (3950 E. Bell Road, Phoenix)

You can’t say Desert Mountain hasn’t earned its place here. The Wolves had to travel to Yuma Cibola but pulled off the long road trip successfully by winning in penalty kicks. The Wolves’ reward was a trip to No. 1 seed Goodyear Millennium, but, again, Desert Mountain’s defense came up big and shut out the Tigers.

The Wolves’ four losses in power points were to three Desert Valley region schools (twice to Horizon, once against Pinnacle and Chaparral), and though they lost three consecutive matches heading into the tournament, they were close calls in region play. Goalie Melissa Brennan’s return from injury of late has stabilized the Wolves, who figured to get a scouting report or two from Chaparral (both schools have kids who play with each other in club).

Desert Mountain’s strength is its midfield, housed by captains Brittany Groh, Jordyn Greenberg and Janelle Brandom. The defense is led by Brennan and senior Jen Loev.

Marana Mountain View did the Wolves a temporary favor by beating the Firebirds last weekend to reach these semifinals after knocking off No. 12 Willow Canyon in the opener. Marana’s only other trip to the Valley was a 3-1 loss to 5A-I Red Mountain early in the season.

Both schools have played in one state championship in their existence. Marana Mountain View won the 4A championship in 1995, the first year for soccer. Desert Mountain lost the 5A title in 2000 to Xavier in its only finals appearance.

No. 11 Pinnacle vs. No. 2 Horizon

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Paradise Valley high school (3950 E. Bell Road, Phoenix)

It’s a rematch of the 2009 state championship match (won by Horizon, 1-0).

Horizon may have been the No. 2 seed this year, but the Huskies are also viewed as the tournament favorite, moreso now that Millennium was upset by Desert Mountain.

Despite a coaching change (Tim McKee replaced the departed Chris Sydney) and only four players returning from ‘09, the Huskies have barely missed a beat.

Horizon lost to 5A-I power Xavier for its lone defeat in power point matches and otherwise went undefeated to win the Desert Valley region over Pinnacle and Desert Mountain.

The Huskies beat Pinnacle 3-1 in mid-January and then again, 3-0, two weeks later to end the regular season.

Annie Newell and Nicole “Freddy” Krueger have been tremendous offensively (something Pinnacle is already well aware of). Natalie Kintz is one of the best goalies in 5A-II and Megan Oleno is a good story after sitting out most of last year because of cancer and chemotherapy.

Oleno is one of 10 sophomores on the roster, half of which see extensive playing time.

Pinnacle has followed Desert Mountain’s path. The Pioneers’ four losses in power points have broken down to two against Horizon, and once against Desert Mountain and Chaparral.

Though not a prolific scoring team, the Pioneers’ defense has risen in the postseason as the No. 1 reason behind wins at Marcos de Niza and at Avondale Westview in the quarterfinals.

Since we’re down to the final four in each of the boys and girls high school soccer state championships, let’s take a gander inside the 5A Division I boys matchups:

No. 5 Corona del Sol vs. No. 1 Tucson Salpointe

When: Wednesday 5 p.m.

Where: Campo Verde H.S.  (Germann Rd., one block west of Val Vista, Gilbert)

Despite Salpointe as the No. 1 seed in the tournament, No. 5 Corona del Sol was widely viewed as the tournament favorite, and the Aztecs have shown no reason to think otherwise so far. Corona has nine goals in two tournament games and continues to play like a team possessed after last year’s uexpected first-round exit.

The Aztecs have perhaps the best offense in the state and a good goalie in Matt Bersano, two staples for a championship team.

Salpointe lost a couple early tournament games and then to Perry at the beginning of December, but ran roughshot through its power point matches. The Lancers had the third most opponent wins to help its strength of schedule (including wins against Desert Vista and Brophy). Dylan Kelly (both goals in the 2-1 quarterfinal win against Mesquite) and Blake Brennan have a combined 31 goals.

Salpointe’s defense has been its strength and Corona will test that ‘D’ in a big way with guys such as Austin Haas, Austin Crothers, Trever Allen and Casey Phillips up front.

Another possible “advantage” for Corona is that Salpointe has to come up to the Valley and play on a “neutral” site at Campo Verde, an obviously easier commute from Tempe than Tucson for the team and fans. The Aztecs have played a few matches on FieldTurf  as preparation for these latter state tournament rounds, including one against Gilbert at Campo Verde a few weeks ago.

No. 2 Hamilton vs. No. 6 Gilbert

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Campo Verde H.S.  (Germann Rd., one block west of Val Vista, Gilbert)

In a few ways, the two teams are reflections of one another. Both are well-coached (Nick Markette at Hamilton, Jeff Perry for Gilbert). Both have exciting and uber-skilled playmakers (Tanner Clay, Michael Markette and Kerel Bradford for the Huskies; Storm Lily and J.D. Carver for Gilbert). Both have good goaltenders (J.D. Zehring for Hamilton, J.J. Meier for Gilbert). Both teams have won in overtime once during the tournament.

Hamilton won the previous meeting, 3-2, in early January, but the Tigers have been hardened by travelling to San Luis and winning in a difficult environment as the Tigers shook off a slow start (and four-hour bus ride) and Meier came up with a couple huge saves in the extra sessions.

Similar to Corona, the Tigers played at Campo Verde a couple times this season, and Gilbert will need to defend (or at least neutralize) Hamilton’s speed and skill in its midfield and forward spots to have a chance. A high scoring affair probably favors the Huskies.

Gilbert was in the state championship in 2007 but lost 1-0 to Highland. The Tigers and Salpointe were also part of a bizarre tie in 2004 and wound up sharing the championship.

Hamilton has never been to a boys soccer championship match in its history.

Higley high school was selected as a finalist for the 2009-2010 Tony Komadina Outstanding Girls’ Athletic Program Award.

The award recognizes schools that have demonstrated an advocacy and progress toward girls’ athletics, and is viewed as the highest award that can be given for a girls’ program.

Higley will host a visit from the AIA Girls Equity in Sports Standing Committee in February.

The selection committee will make its recommendation for the 4A-5A award winners to the AIA Executive Board at its March 15 meeting.

The winners will be honored at an awards presentation tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 28 at Westgate City Center in Glendale.

Marcos de Niza’s Ramon Abreu, a two-way and special teams standout this past season for the 5A-II state runner-up Padres, was honored last week with the Ed Doherty Award, accorded the top high school senior football player in the state. Abreu beat out four other finalists - Hamilton’s Tevin Hood, Chaparral’s Dwayne Garrett, Mountain Pointe’s Davon Jones and Goodyear Millennium’s Marquis Flowers. Abreu signed a letter of intent with ASU last week. Abreu was named the Tribune’s Player of the Year in 2009 in December.

Gilbert Christian’s boys and girls basketball teams and Salt River’s girls basketball team have qualified for their respective 1A state basketball tournaments that begin Friday in Prescott and Prescott Valley.
Gilbert Christian’s boys bring an unbeaten record (28-0) to their first-round game Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Rock Point. Gilbert Christian’s girls (10-16), last year’s state champions, play just before the boys in a 6 p.m. contest against Rock Point. Both games are at Prescott High School.
Salt River’s girls (28-4), one of the tournament favorites along with Gila Bend, open play Friday at noon against Grand Canyon at Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain High School.
Quarterfinal games in the tournament are set for Saturday at Prescott High or Bradshaw Mountain High with times to be determined. The semifinals are set for Feb. 19 and the finals Feb. 20 at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott.

In addition to our list here, a few more soccer players signed letters of intent this week to play college:

Samantha Rall (Desert Vista):  Eastern Illinois
Karisa Price (Highland): Metro State
Megan Striedel (Red Mountain): Ft. Lewis College
Taylor Tegtmeyer (Chandler): Ft. Lewis College
Madyson Wellcome (Hamilton): Ft. Lewis College
Emma Cannis (Gilbert): Ft. Lewis College
Jaci Teresinski (Hamilton): SE Louisiana State
Julie Vandeberg (Corona del Sol): Wyoming
Kaelin Williams (Mesquite): Chandler-Gilbert CC
Blair Alderson (Gilbert): Arizona State

Christian Bower and Isaiah Strong spend a lot of time together.

They both go to Mesquite, both play on the basketball team and, ever since their sophomore seasons, have lived together, too.

Strong, a senior shooting guard who averages a team-high 21.8 points per game, lived with his mom and went to Chandler High as a freshman. Bower, the leading assists man in 5A at 8.1 per game, went to Mesquite.

The pair met in junior high, and remained close despite attending different schools. During his freshman year, Strong’s mother moved to Phoenix, but he wanted to stay in the East Valley.

So what began as a temporary sleepover situation eventually became permanent.

“I just asked him to spend the night, like a regular friend thing,” Bower said. “One night turned into a week and it just led on from there. Once they (Christian’s parents, Tamarom and Chuck Bower) realized he was only going home about once a month, they talked to him about it, and they had no problem taking him in.”

The Bowers are now Strong’s legal guardians. The two friends share a room, and when they’re not playing basketball, like to spend their free time at the mall.

If it works out, they would like to play college basketball together, although no plans have been made.

But they still have the rest of this season to worry about. Mesquite is one of a handful of legitimate contenders for the 5A-I crown, with Bower and Strong at the forefront.

“Those guys are two good leaders,” Mesquite coach Tom Saltzstein said. “I count my blessings every day.”

With his 65-point explosion on Tuesday against Chino Valley, Goodyear Estrella Foothills shooting guard Corey Hawkins has upped his scoring average to 36.7 points per game this season.

That total is good for second nationally among players with 15 or more games listed on Maxpreps.com.

While not every high school lists their statistics on Maxpreps, it is becoming increasingly popular, and the vast majority of Arizona teams use it.

It’s impossible to figure out exactly where Hawkins stands nationally, but it’s clear he is in the top echelon of scorers in the country.

Hawkins is 178 points away from breaking Mike Bibby’s state record for points in a season. If Estrella Foothills makes the state title game - a pretty good bet considering it hasn’t lost to a 3A team this year - Hawkins would need to average 29.5 points in the final six contests to tie the record.

While I still have reservations as to how his game will translate to the college level,  there’s no denying Hawkins is on an incredible run. Arizona State fans are undoubtedly excited to see this player in maroon and gold next year.