Can you please explain to me how a good young man with no discipline problems and with good grades is punished by his parents decisions. This young man was living with his Aunt and Grampa in Agua Fria district so that his dad can tie up things with his wife and work in California. No, there was no court paperwork or nothing like that, just a decision that his parents thought that was in the best interest of this young man. He played Basketball in a District, but now his dad has moved to another District where he can afford a place for himself and his Son. There is no transportation for this young man to go back to his former District so he is attending the school in which boundaries he lives in.. The Basketball coach from where he transferred from has took it personal and said that this young man left because his dad did not like his program ( You should be ashamed of yourself for stopping a young man from playing). So the young man has to sit 9 games. His hardship has been denied, because there probably is not enough evidence or paperwork besides residency of his dad in California and now here in Phoenix. This young man is a Senior and has potential this year to earn a scholarship.
They do not have money for a lawyer. It is really a shame. I have seen transfers left and right in this state, and appeals being herd with a Lawyer on hand and it gets overturned. What about the families that cannot afford that option. He did not transfer to a Basketball Powerhouse nor leave a Basketball Powerhouse. Am I missing something!! Here are the hardship Rules. Does he not fall in this category. The kid does not make any decisions.

5.14.1 Hardship Defined - Each case is dependent upon its facts, but as a general guideline, the Executive Board will use the following criteria:
15.14.1.1 An unforeseeable, unavoidable, and uncorrectable act, condition, or event, over which the student and his/her family has no control; and
15.14.1.2 Which has caused a severe burden upon the student or his/her family; and
15.14.1.3 Which has caused the student’s noncompliance with the eligibility rule(s) involved.
15.14.1.4 Whether athletics plays a role in the circumstances involved in the hardship request. NOTE: Where it is determined that athletic motivation is present; this would be sufficient, in and of itself, for denial of the hardship request.
15.14.1.5 Loss of eligibility in itself is not to be considered a hardship

It’s the final week of the regular season and I’m going Way out West to see Desert Edge at Verrado. 5A Desert West Region is on the line and it will be my first trip to VHS since 2017.

Desert Edge (6-3) has won 4 straight and allowed just 41 total points during the streak (10.25/game). The Scorpions have a D-I talent in CB Jamar Beal-Gaines, a Texas A&M commit. In last week’s win against Cactus, Desert Edge limited the Cobras to just 42 total yards of offense! Elijah Sherbin-Fox had 4 of the team’s 6 sacks. Sophomore QB Blake Roskopf became eligible in Game 6 and has 1146 passing yards and 9 TDs in his 4 starts.

Verrado (7-2) has dialed up the offense all season. The Vipers have scored 40 or more points in each of their last 8 games. Senior Jack Isidore had 176 of the team’s 239 rushing yards in a win over Canyon View (42-7) and is over 1100 yards for the season. QB Chase Gieszler has 24 touchdown passes in his second year as a starter. He is averaging over 200 yards per game and also has 8 rushing TDs.

Desert Edge can win the 5A Desert West Region with a victory. A Verrado win coupled with a Cactus loss to Millennium gives the Vipers the Region. If Verrado & Cactus both win, it creates a 3-way tie and the region would be settled via the final power rankings on Saturday.

Heading out to Laveen tonight to see a pair of experienced coaches in their first year with new programs. The transition has gone well for both as they are meeting for a region title. It’s Mountain View and Cesar Chavez.

Mountain View (7-1) is scoring 51 points per game. It’s a balanced offense for the Toros that averages more than 200 yards passing with Brady Goodman (28 TDs, 3 INTs) and 200 yards rushing led by Reese Bodily (804 yards). The Toros are led by Andy Litten, who has coached with Marana and Horizon.

Cesar Chavez (6-2) has scored more than 40 points four times this year. Sophomore Pharis Jenkins is coming off a 200-yard game against Mesa. Another sophomore, Mason Penrod, has 13 TD passes for the Champions. Cesar Chavez is led by alum Chandler Hovik, who coached previously with Central.

Chavez won just 3 games last season and has already doubled its total. Mountain View could have a shot to make the Open with a win as the Toros close with Red Mountain. Which team will be putting up a region championship banner in the gym? I’ll be on hand to find out!