Sports

The sight can be jarring: As a runner’s graceful stride brings her closer, her face comes into focus. A rich, red handprint covers her mouth.

After much backlash from the public and feedback from schools, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) reversed its decision to cancel winter high school sports. The season has been reinstated with modifications.

Hopi Jr/Sr High School Athletic Director Ricky Greer said canceling winter sports is particularly tough on student athletes because sports is a part of their daily routine.

Hopi Jr./Sr. High School announced Jan. 4 that it is cancelling its 2020-2021 winter athletic season out of an abundance of caution and based on the current surge of COVID-19 cases within the state and on the Hopi and Navajo Nations.

The AIA announced Nov. 19 winter sports can resume Jan. 5, with the last allowed day of competition Feb. 19.

After a one-year absence because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Native American Basketball Invitational will return in July, showcasing indigenous basketball players from across the U.S., Canada and New Zealand at venues around the Valley.

The Hopi Jr./Sr. High School Facebook page confirmed the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Executive Board approved a proposal from the 17 Northeastern Arizona Schools for the schools to compete against one another in all sports throughout the spring semester.

Over 30 Native youth golfers ages 8-18 competed in the NB3 Foundation Inaugural All-Native National Youth Golf Tournament Aug. 3-4 at the Santa Ana Golf Club, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

The Washington NFL franchise announced July 13 it is retiring its team name and logo, a fight Native activists have been leading for decades.

Basketball is woven into the fabric of Native American life.

The cancellation of the 2020 Native American Basketball Invitational means more to the Native American community than simply taking a summer off from playing ball. Its loss could have a major impact on the lives of many young native people.

There used to be many ways of life that we took for granted before the corona virus hit our state, nation and world.

The life of a college athlete can be stressful. Balancing academic and sports or taking the game-winning shot against a Top 10 team involves pressure.

The Winslow Lady Bulldogs lost to the Henderson, Nevada Coronado Lady Cougars 8-7 March 6 in the Tournament of Champions at Bullhead City.

On March 5, President Jonathan Nez served as a guest speaker at the Window Rock High School boys basketball banquet in Fort Defiance, Arizona. During the event, Nez thanked parents and congratulated players on their hard work as student athletes.

The 2020 Arizona State 3A Boys and Girls tournament semifinals and championships were held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds Feb. 28-29.

In the boys state championship semifinals game, the No. 1 seed Page Sand Devils (29-1) matched up with the No. 5 seed Sabino Sabercats (26-2) of Tucson.

The Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley played host to the quarterfinals of the 2020 Arizona 3A Girls State tournament.

The Winslow Lady Bulldogs began play Feb. 27 with a home game win over the Chinle Lady Wildcats, 16-3.

Winslow’s track season was announced with eight meets under Coach Stacey Berg, a Winslow High School graduate and an excellent multisport athlete.

The Winslow Bulldogs baseball team began play for the 2020 season at home Feb. 26 against the Chino Valley Cougars.

The Northwest Christian Crusaders defeated the Winslow Bulldogs 60-56 in a very close game in the second round of the 3A Conference State Tournament.

“We made history tonight” said Greg Perkins Holbrook Roadrunners coach. “This is our first win ever in Window Rock.”

Red Rock State Park is not as busy as the other state park in Sedona. Slide Rock State Park is better known for kids sliding down the rocks in the stream during the summer.

Winslow High School’s Zach Wagner has been invited to play basketball for the USA team in Australia.