With 2022 in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead. Expect more thrill rides. great game. big moment. historical achievement. And in 2023 comes another wave of incredibly talented athletes in high school sports in Arizona.
Here are seven things to expect in calendar year 2023.
1. Open basketball
The Arizona Interscholastic Association finished its fourth season in the soccer Open Division Playoffs in December. And by all accounts, it’s been successful. With seven of his eight teams last season in the best conferences, some might not see the point in holding the Open with a 6A team. However, advancing the top teams to the open playoffs opened up an opportunity for more schools to win championships in the conference.
This will be the first year of the open playoffs for men’s and women’s basketball, with 32 teams expected. The team that loses in the first round of the open playoffs will likely fall back into their respective conference playoff bracket and claim the Gold Ball, so there’s a lot to look forward to how it all plays out.
2. Shot clock at playoffs
A 35-second shot clock was instituted at the start of this 2022-23 men’s and women’s basketball season. How effective was it? is it working? Is your team struggling with it? That doesn’t seem to matter, and once the state tournament begins, it’s nice to see how the coaches run the clock on crunch time moments. The team is forced to defend. The shot clock forces the team to attack. It helps players and coaches develop strategies. They are forced to be creative.
3. Expanding soccer playoffs?
This is going to be discussed by the AIA and that’s a good thing. Football play-ins in the conference bracket. Play-ins are not known in basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and soccer. So why not play soccer? There are always schools sweating through bracket shows to see if they can make it to the 16-team tournament. Opening a bubble gives the team in the bubble the chance to play another game that is rewarded each season. Such as schools that won the regional title but didn’t make the playoffs because they didn’t have enough playoff PowerPoints to participate. If this happens, all regional champions will have playoff matches.
4. Freshman Implantation
There have been great freshman basketball players in the past who made a big impact. Think Mike Bibby in Shadow Mountain in the 1990s, Jerry Bayless in Phoenix St. Mary’s in the 2000s, Marvin Bagley III in Coronadell his Sol in 2014, Nikko Manion in Pinnacle and Marcus Howard in Gilbert Perry.
But I’ve never seen a year where so many freshmen, both boys and girls, have made it across the state. There’s Caden House of Desert Mountain (son of former Arizona star Eddie House), Mason Magee and Elijah Summers Livingston of Bacha, Jacob Webber and Elijah Williams of Scottsdale Christian, and Phoenix Desert Vista Girls player Jersey Robinson. they all fly out. And there are many more people I haven’t mentioned who are about to take off.
5. Girls flag football
The AIA plans to sanction women’s flag football as a sport next fall, at the same time as the men tackle the football season. There needs to be a way to make this work so that girls aren’t overshadowed by boys. However, the NFL is involved and this coincides with the NFL season. But no matter how you look at it, more girls are interested in football and how girls are flagging football is sweeping the country. Authorization was inevitable. Everyone should be able to accept it and adapt to their schedule.
6. Deuce Robinson’s Decision
Pinnacle senior Deuce Robinson is one of the rare three-sport athletes to be All-American in two sports: football and baseball. Everyone is eagerly awaiting his college announcement, which will take place on his traditional Feb. 1 signing day. baseball. Under Armor This Week He’s All-American He Played In The Game He’s the highest-rated tight end in the football class of 2023, and could even make another big decision in the summer when the Major League Baseball Draft takes place. If he’s a highly drafted player, he might be tempted to go baseball. Some compare him to Aaron Judge. He has bat talent.
7. Improved sportsmanship
In an ideal world, there would be no technical issues, no ejections, no parents running out on the court or field, and no coaches trying to get fired. But that’s not the world we live in. So all you can ask for is more patience from parents, less complaints, more letting your kids play and have fun, and all the demands going against you. Just play, have fun, and feel the pride and freedom of being able to do what you love. The spectacle of Buffalo Bills safety Dummer Hamlin on the field of Monday night football put sports on every level.
To suggest human interest story ideas or other news, contact Obert.richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. follow him on twitter@azc_obert
