As we prepare for another exciting high school basketball season, and after our best event ever, this year's 26th Annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase, it was necessary for me to take some much needed time off to prepare for another busy high school basketball season. I also during that time was able to see my first child, my daughter Jasmine (30) get married in Atlanta, Georgia, and I was able to be an integral part of one of the best experiences of my life, and my daughter's life. Over the past (30) years of covering Arizona high school and junior college basketball, and as I prepare for my 30th year of doing this, it was necessary for me to enjoy my family for some time, without basketball.
Over the years, I have made the mistake many times over a (30)-year span of putting my love for Arizona basketball ahead of my love for my family, and even myself. I have given Arizona basketball everything I have since I first began in 1995, and I now realize @ the ripe age of 51 what is most important in life. Family and my personal health - mentally and physically. I have been working hard on both, since both have wavered over so many years of hard work - carrying a demanding full-time job, while moonlighting in the evenings as a basketball scout and writer, while also operating a major club organization for (17) years, which grew to as many as (36) teams. As I think back over the years, I honestly do not know how I was able to do it. But I always did, and did it at a very high level consistently for now (30) years.
As I prepare to enter my 30th season of covering Arizona basketball, and as a much different person than I was many years ago, I am excited to bring you elite coverage of Arizona basketball again this high school and prep season, but only because of the amazing team we have assembled over the years @ Arizona Preps. I am humbled and extremely thankful for our staff of scouts, writers and videographers with Arizona Preps. Each of these individuals made it possible for this year's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase to become the best event of it's kind, ever. The event featured an amazing (50) different Arizona boy's high school basketball programs, and this year's event provided the best coverage I have ever seen of an Arizona event. There were more than (50) different highlight videos of the players and team's performances from the event, and after the event on social media. I was more than impressed at the participation of this year's event, and was equally impressed at the hard work that went into the event by everyone involved, from Arizona Preps and otherwise.
So many different people made this year's event possible and helped take the event to another level and I am humbled and thankful to each of them. There are too many to name, but I especially want to thank Inspire Courts and their ownership for hosting this year's amazing event, and making it possible. Phoenix Sun's Eddie Johnson (pictured) was amazing in his opening speech for this year's event, as he almost came right from the airport to the event, and after commentating for a Suns' game. Chris Rivers was tremendous in the coverage that he provided for this year's event, as he was innovative in his concepts, and will be a major part of the event going forward. Our staff is thankful for the coverage provided by Baller TV for this year's event, and also Overtime Jimmy, Timeout, Reel Team 6 and the many other amazing and dedicated videographers that worked tirelessly at this year's event.
I especially want to thank all of the high school coaches, teams of players and parents and spectators that participated in this year's event. I am hopeful that each program enjoyed their participation in this year's event, and our staff will work hard to support each of these programs throughout the high school basketball season. Myself and our staff are so appreciative of each of the high school programs that supported this year's event, and made it possible for us to bring it to the public.
We are also thankful to the many referees, scorekeepers, and event staff that worked hard to make this year's event possible, and especially our Assistant Tournament Directors, Andrea Bernado and Mason Maynard and Event Coordinator, Chris Hurst.
We also especially want to thank our sponsors for this year's amazing event, which included our title sponsor Vital Credit Card, Phoenix Legacy Foundation for their amazing and generous donation to our non-profit organization (Elevating Change Youth Outreach), Western Alliance Bank and Goldies Motors for their tremendous support and also Big Chicken for their nice contribution to this year's event as well.
As we prepare for another amazing high school basketball season, that will soon begin in another week, I am humbled by the support we have received from many in the Arizona basketball community. We work very hard for Arizona basketball and do it for the love. I can honestly say myself and everyone I am involved with @ Arizona Preps genuinely loves being a part of what we have built over (3) decades now, and I look forward to the future for our state. The state of Arizona basketball is definitely on the rise, although the sport and the industry is going in many different and new directions. The AIA is having to manage athletics in Arizona at a time, where the country is still learning how to navigate the new NIL space. Times have completely changed and the AIA will look to change with it, but at what cost? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, we will look forward to another exciting high school basketball season - another one for the ages. Lets get it! Thank you Arizona.
