Santa Cruz head football coach Rishard Davis became the first African American to win a state football championship in Arizona when his Dust Devils defeated Benson 42-7 to capture the 2A crown on Dec. 12 in Scottsdale.
Former Cholla head coach Ed Brown became the first black football coach in Tucson in 1969 and former Tucson Badger Hayzel Daniels was the first black player to be named All-State in 1925. Former University of Arizona track head coach and football assistant Willie Peete was an assistant coach at Mesa High School when that program captured the 1963 state title. Peete was also the first African American to coach an NCAA D-I program.
LINK: FOOTBALL SENIOR ALL-STARS
LINK: GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
LINK: SWIM & DIVE ALL-STARS
LINK: GIRLS SWIM & DIVE ALL-STARS
LINK: CROSS COUNTRY ALL-STARS
LINK: GOLF ALL-STARS
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019 and he is a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
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