Coach Lute Olson and the UA basketball team celebrates their 1997 national title win over Kentucky. The Wildcats made three other Final Four trips under Olson - in 1988, 1994 and 2001.

KING LUTE

Athletic director Cedric Dempsey lured Lute Olson from Iowa in 1983 to rebuild Arizona basketball. Olson did much more, putting UA on the national radar before retiring. His legacy – 589 wins, 23 straight NCAA tourneys, a national title in 1997, 4 Final Fours, 11 Pac-10 titles, 33 NBA-drafted players – will be tough for new coach Sean Miller to follow.

‘THE STREAK’

In basketball, it’s UA’s 25 straight NCAA tourneys, but football fans won’t forget the Wildcats’ 8-0-1 mark over Arizona State from 1982-90, started by the late coach Larry Smith. “The Streak” took the sting out of UA being on probation for a slush fund by ex-coach Tony Mason, and it turned around a rivalry that saw ASU go 15-2 from 1965-81.

‘FOX’ WHO BUILT McKALE

The late Fred “The Fox” Snowden, the first African-American Division 1 basketball coach, ushered in McKale Center with the “Kiddie Corps” – Coniel Norman, Eric Money, Al Fleming, Jim Rappis and Bob Elliott. They took UA to its first NCAA tourney in 1976. Story, Page 6C

SPRING TRAINING

From Hi Corbett Field to Tucson Electric Park, spring training has boosted our economy and prepared three World Series champs: Cleveland (1948), Diamondbacks (2001) and White Sox (2005) and a runner-up, Colorado (2007). In 1975, the Indians’ Frank Robinson became the first African-American to manage a big-league team. But with the White Sox now in Glendale, the future is unclear.

HIGH SCHOOL DYNASTIES

In 1999, Tucson High became the nation’s first school to earn 500 victories in football and 1,000 wins each in baseball and boys basketball. Then there’s Sunnyside wrestling: 12 straight state team titles, 28 overall. Other dynasties: Amphi football, Canyon del Oro baseball/softball, Salpointe tennis and Catalina Foothills swimming/tennis.

‘DESERT SWARM’

Coach Dick Tomey unveiled his run-stopping defense in 1992, led by Tedy Bruschi, and the Wildcats went on to upset No. 1 Washington and beat Miami 29-0 in the Fiesta Bowl and earn Sports Illustrated’s preseason No. 1 ranking in 1994. The success helped recruiting, which led to a 12-1 season in 1998 and a Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska.

PROFESSIONAL GOLF

Ray Magnum edged Byron Nelson to win the first PGA Tour event here in 1945 at El Rio. His prize: $1,000. When Tiger Woods won the 2008 Accenture Match Play title in Marana, he took home $1.35 million! The Tucson Open rose to fame in the 1970s at Tucson National, thanks to three-time winner Johnny Miller and NBC.

RISE OF SOFTBALL

No UA team has dominated more than Mike Candrea’s softball squad: eight NCAA titles since 1991 and 21 College World Series in 22 years. From pitchers Susie Parra to Jennie Finch to Taryne Mowatt, the Wildcats have made Tucson a softball hub and energized the high school scene.

JERRY’S KIDS

Coach Jerry Kindall guided UA to its first major NCAA team title in the 1976 College World Series. The Cats captured two more NCAA crowns in 1980 and 1986, led by Terry Francona and Chip Hale, respectively. Francona managed the Red Sox to two World Series titles, and ex-UA star Trevor Hoffman is baseball’s all-time saves leader.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE BASEBALL

From 1915 to 1958, Tucson boasted minor league teams like the Cowboys and Lizards. But it wasn’t until 1969, when the Triple-A Toros made their PCL debut, that fans got a chance to see future major league stars at Hi Corbett. The Toros won titles in ’91 and ’93 before the Sidewinders took over in 1997 at TEP and won the 2006 title. They left for Reno after 2008, but the independent Toros are back.

E ven without a major professional sports team, Tucson can make the case for being a sports town – thanks to success at the college and high school levels and a climate that draws major events. Some highlights:

Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez meets fans Kim Filip (left) and Tracy Toland in March 2009. The Cactus League was born in 1947, with Cleveland at Hi Corbett and the New York Giants in Casa Grande. The Rockies took over for the Indians in 1993.

A decade of Tucson Sports Photos

Citizen photographers had several sports images over the past decade to show Tucson sports.

Producer: FRANCISCO MEDINA

Slide 1 of 35.
Bullrider Ian Male is sent air mail courtesy Pudd the bull during the 81st Annual Fiesta de Los Vaqueros Rodeo Sunday Feb. 19, 2006.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 2 of 35.
Coach Richard Sanchez joins his team in a prayer before the game the Blue Devils went on to lose 6-0 to the Scottsdale Saguaro Sabercats on Nov. 19, 2004.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 3 of 35.
Isaiah Fox jumps up for the rebound with Wright State's Zach Williams in the first half of the Cats' game in the second round of the NIT.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 4 of 35.
Sunnyside's Mike Smith (right) jumps over some players and evades a tackle by Sandra Day O'Conner's Chad Duncan (33).
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 5 of 35.
Glendale Cactus Manny Solarez (1) dives for a pass as Rincon's Bryan Marchbanks defends in the second quarter. The pass was incomplete. Tucson, AZ.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 6 of 35.
Lionel Dotson (54) and Paul Phillip (56) celebrate after a play as Arizona was beating UCLA 31-7 st the half.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 7 of 35.
Bo Casper hangs on at the start of a bareback horse ride on Rooster Cogburn. He scored a 75 at yesterday's La Fiesta de los Vaqueros rodeo.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 8 of 35.
Arms raised in a victory salute, Robbie Ventura of Wildwood, Ill., crosses the finish line first in the 20th El Tour de Tucson in 2002.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 9 of 35.
Victorious Blue Devils from Tucson's Sunnyside High School hoist the trophy from their Class 4A state football championship of 2003.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 10 of 35.
Steam rises off the head of Mountain View's Delbert Gallego after he went to the bench and watched his teammates finish off Canyon del Oro in the final seconds of game on Oct. 29, 2004.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 11 of 35.
UA Students Ricky Garrett, 19, (blue) and Brian Blessing, 19, cheer as they are surrounded by older fans during the University of Washington game. Arizona won 91-82.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 12 of 35.
Jawaan McClellan sits on the the floor with his face covered after their 90-89 overtime loss to Illinois in Chicago at the Allstate Arena.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 13 of 35.
Tucson High School swimmer Stephanie White works out in preparation for 2004 regional state competition.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 14 of 35.
Arizona fans climb the goal post as they celebrate Arizona's win over Arizona State 34-27.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 15 of 35.
Sabino's Michael Dillon weeps as he meets with the Saguaro team after losing to them Saturday afternoon, December 9, 2006, in the Class 4A Division I state championship.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 16 of 35.
Rick Wock Jr. tries to hold on to Avalanche for the full eight seconds but came up short during the bull riding event at the 80th annual Tucson Rodeo.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 17 of 35.
Hassan Adams slams the ball during a steal in the first half of their NAU game at McKale Center. UA struggled but pulled off the win 75-66 over NAU.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 18 of 35.
Arizona's Michael Thomas (10) keeps his eye on the ball as it is broken up by Washington's Roy Lewis (28) in the first quarter.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 19 of 35.
Santa Rita's Aubura Taylor (6) and his teammates came back to beat Coronado 38-37 to advance in the the 4A state play off game.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 20 of 35.
Acrobatic Wildcat catcher Jaclyn Coburn catches a foul ball and is prevented from tumbling into the dugout of opponent Lafayette by teammate Kristie Fox. The action took place during the playoffs in Tucson on May 21, 2004.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 21 of 35.
Arizona's Jennifer Klein (3) and New Mexico's Nicole Pitcock (2) fight for control.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 22 of 35.
In the return of boxing to Tucson at the Desert Diamond Casino, David Lopez lands a left hook to the face of Jerson Ravelo, knocking him out in the ninth round of a 10-round middleweight bout on March 2, 2004.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 23 of 35.
Bronco Nick Johnson (51) rallies his team during halftime in the American Youth Playoff Football game against the Redskins at Tucson High on Nov.13, 2004.
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 24 of 35.
Chicago's Pablo Ozuna dives to tag out Arizona's Eric Byrnes in a run down between first and second, in a spring training game at Tucson Electric Park, Thursday, March 2, 2006.
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 25 of 35.
Arizona State's Audree Johnson and the Utes' Kim Smith fight over a loose ball in the first half.Game action at McKale Center, Tucson, Arizona.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson CitizenSlide 26 of 35.
Catcher Richard McCorkle goes after the ball as Art Radke makes it safely home during a baseball game at Udall Park, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006.
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 27 of 35.
Johnny Bessett (22) heads off Cholla defender Eric Nava (14), in Friday's game at Sahuarita High School.
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 28 of 35.
Chaparral Firebirds Safety Adam Baily (2) goes after an interception after Sunnyside Blue Devil Wally Altamirano misses the pass in the Sept. 3, 2004, at Sunnyside High School.
Source: RENEE BRACAMONTE/Tucson CitizenSlide 29 of 35.
Hassan Adams goes for a slam during practice in this 2003 photo-illustration.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 30 of 35.
Diamondback Jay Bell jumps into the arms of teammate Matt Williams after crossing home plate with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the New York Yankees and clinch the 2001 World Series.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 31 of 35.
Tiger Woods shouts after sinking a putt for eagle at No. 17 hole to put him one up and give him the lead as he went on to beat J.B. Holmes.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 32 of 35.
Hundreds of fans rush Fourth Ave after Arizona lost to Duke in the 2001 NCAA Championship.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 33 of 35.
UA basketball players mob freshman guard Salim Stoudamire after he led them to the Pac-10 Conference Tournament title on Saturday March 13, 2002.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 34 of 35.
UA's Jason Gardner is fired up after making a play to force ASU to take a timeout in the first half on Jan, 23, 2003.
Source: FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson CitizenSlide 35 of 35.
This cowboy got a little muddy during the 1999 Tucson Rodeo.
Source: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson Citizen

Zach Lloyd and his wife, Nicole, throw the shot put for the University of Arizona.

The form was perfect, a classic shot-putter’s spin.

Face the rear of the circle, twist around the left foot, drive the right into the middle of the circle, reach for the front with the left foot and twist the hip and shoulders.

Finally, heave the iron ball and let loose with a primal scream.

Zack Lloyd’s shot landed with a thud of dust a few yards short of the “end zone,” the dirt beyond the 20-meter boundary.

Another training throw. Lots of application and movement but no threat to the man’s 69-foot (21 meters) personal best.

“I never look for it (the 20-meter mark),” Lloyd said. “I just concentrate on what I have to do.”

Lloyd is saving his deepest gut check for “the show,” his last NCAA Championships, which will be held next month.

He’s also busy watching his wife, Nicole, also a senior Arizona shot put and discus thrower. It’s not uncommon for the track and field pros to have a husband-wife combo, but it’s very rare in college.

For Zack to Nicole, it’s more appreciation than advice.

“My job is to keep her happy, not coach her, to give her positive reinforcement, keep her focused,” he said, citing a golden rule of domestic harmony.

The two have different technical styles born of the “spin” moves for shot and discus as opposed to the “glide,” in which one swings the launch leg (left for a right-hander) and violently swings the body toward the target.

“I’m very technically conscious,” said Nicole, who favors the discus, “and it’s been tough since I went to the spin (move) at UA. It took a long time.

“I’m a late bloomer at UA. My trouble used to be sitting around thinking too much.”

Zack is more of pure power thrower.

They met at high school track and field meets. Zack, originally from Redding, Calif., was at White Pine High, in Ely, Nev., and Nicole in the Salt Lake City suburb of Bountiful. They began dating when Zach was a freshman at Utah State in Logan and Nicole at the University of Utah.

They both attended and competed at Mesa Community College before coming to UA last year after mutual friend Craig Carter joined the UA staff in 2007.

“We were married in seven months,” Nicole said. “Fast, I guess an LDS thing.”

Nicole is a Mormon, Zach is not, but Zach said there relationship is “not so much religion, (but) a Utah thing.”

Zack, 6 feet 2 and 305 pounds, is a three-time All-American and Nicole earned her first All-American honor in the NCAA Indoor Championships this year with a shot put mark of 52-3 1/4. Her best for the outdoor season is 49-4 in a qualification for the NCAA regionals, set for May 29 at Eugene, Ore.

Her career bests are 170-1 in the discus and 52-5 in shot put.

Zack has a regional qualification mark this year of 157-8 for the discus.

The two have big plans for the future.

“Our goal is to own a gym somewhere,” Zack said.

Not some sterile, glossy works but a nice, nasty sweat place with lots of echoes and clanging.

“Real old-time style,” he said.

Pitcher contributes to squad’s 16-hit burst

Catalina Foothills catcher Megan Morrison waits for the throw as Cienega's Morghan Doughty scores in the first inning of Thursday's Class 4A Division I softball semifinal game at Hillenbrand Stadium. Cienega won 11-4 to advance to Saturday's state championship at Hillenbrand.

By the time the scoreboard clock at the University of Arizona’s Hillenbrand Stadium flipped to 7:04 p.m., just 34 minutes into the Class 4A Division I softball semifinal game between Cienega and Catalina Foothills, the game appeared over.

So much so that the outfield sprinklers came on.

With top-seeded Cienega up 7-1 in the bottom of the second inning, the resulting five-minute delay in play merely put off the inevitable Thursday night.

Despite No. 12 Foothills’ scrappy effort, Cienega won 11-4 to advance to Saturday’s championship game against Canyon del Oro.

“I expected us to come out strong on offense and I know we were ready,” said junior pitcher Alexa Cash. “I know we’re ready to face anybody.”

The win sets up a highly-anticipated championship showdown at Hillenbrand between No. 1 Cienega (27-6) and No. 2 CDO (32-2) at 6 p.m.

CDO, the two-time defending state champion ranked No. 5 in nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, lost to Cienega on March 30, 1-0.

It is Cienega’s first softball title game. CDO has played in seven, winning five, including the past two.

Despite Cienega earning the tournament’s No. 1 seed, the Bobcats know that as long as the nation’s No. 1-ranked player, Kenzie Fowler, is pitching for CDO, the Dorados are the favorite.

“Everybody is an underdog with CDO,” Tatham said. “We have much respect for CDO . . . but we don’t care who the opponent is. We always talk about if we play our game, we can get the job done. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.”

Cash had an uncharacteristically average pitching performance, but she still did most of the damage for the Bobcats on Thursday.

Cash allowed a season-high eight hits, but didn’t walk anyone and struck out 10.

And Cash had three of her team’s 16 hits: an RBI double in the first inning, a solo home run over the left field wall in the second and an RBI single in the fourth.

Cienega led 11-1 at one stage.

“I just came out trying to do what was best for the team and get us a bigger lead,” Cash said.

Foothills put a first-inning scare into Cienega when a leadoff double by Elise Samoy-Alvarado set up Stephanie Carramusa’s RBI single to center field, giving the upset-minded Falcons a 1-0 lead.

“I wouldn’t be a coach if my heart didn’t go in my throat,” said Tatham of Foothills’ early lead, the first time Cienega had trailed this postseason.

The threat was quickly erased in the bottom of the first when Cienega batted around and took a 6-1 lead off six hits and a pair of Foothills’ errors.

Trailing 11-1 with two outs in the top of the fifth, Carramusa extended the game, and avoided the five-inning, 10-run mercy rule, with a two-RBI single. Foothills scored again later in the inning to pull within 11-4, a more respectable score than the 20-2 loss it suffered to Cienega on April 2.

“Coming off those two (playoff upset) wins to get us to this point, the girls were flying high and we just ran into a buzz saw those first couple innings,” said Foothills coach Mark Brunenkant.

For more on high school sports, check out the Grammer School sports blog.

———

4A-I SOFTBALL TITLE GAME

Who: No. 1 Cienega (27-6) vs. No. 2 Canyon del Oro (32-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: UA’s Hillenbrand Stadium

He leads win over Celtics, forces decisive Game 7

Magic center Dwight Howard pulls down an offensive rebound in front of Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce during Thursday's game in Orlando.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dwight Howard demanded the ball, and delivered when the Orlando Magic gave it to him.

Now he needs to back it up, one more time.

Howard had 23 points and 22 rebounds after challenging Stan Van Gundy’s coaching strategy, and the Magic beat the Boston Celtics 83-75 on Thursday night to force a decisive Game 7.

“I just tried to be me,” Howard said. “I just have to go out there and play and not worry about nothing.”

And what did he learn from his comments?

“Biggest lesson?” Howard said. “Keep my mouth shut.”

Rashard Lewis had 20 points, and Hedo Turkoglu made a 3-pointer to highlight an 11-2 run to close the game for the Magic, who haven’t made it to the conference finals since 1996.

But it was Howard who the Magic leaned on after he called out Van Gundy for not getting the ball enough in Game 5.

“I guess Dwight Howard was right,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “My gosh. He was unbelievable.”

Rajon Rondo finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, and Paul Pierce scored 17 for the Celtics, who led by 10 points in the second half before falling apart. Game 7 is Sunday in Boston.

The Celtics also failed to close out the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of their first-round series, a triple-overtime epic. Boston will now go the distance in its first two series for the second straight year.

The two days off before Game 7 should give an older, worn out Boston team a chance to rest its tired legs. It’s still not enough for Rivers.

“I would take a week off and do it like the Super Bowl,” Rivers joked.

Boston had chances.

The Celtics held the Magic scoreless for more than five minutes to start the third quarter, building a 10-point lead on a jumper by Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

But Howard led the Magic back, with a backspin alley-oop from Turkoglu that highlighted a spurt to end the third quarter. Orlando took its first lead with 8:38 remaining in the fourth.

Canyon del Oro pitcher Kenzie Fowler struck out 15 Scottsdale Chaparral hitters Thursday to advance her team to Saturday's 4A-I softball state championship game.

PHOENIX – Kenzie Fowler continued her domination of Arizona high school softball and extended her high school career one final game.

No. 2 Canyon del Oro defeated No. 3 Scottsdale Chaparral 6-0 at Rose Mofford Park on Thursday, giving the Dorados a spot in Saturday’s Class 4A Division I state championship.

Fowler allowed two hits and struck out 15 with no walks, ending a four-game no-hitter streak that earned her ESPN Rise Magazine National High School Athlete of the Week honors earlier in the day.

“As a team, we were ready from the first inning,” said Fowler, who has struck out 74 in the past five games. “When you are that focused, great things happen.”

Fowler improved to 14-1 in state playoff games, having lost in the 2006 state championship to Glendale Cactus as a freshman. Her CDO career record is 104-8.

Chaparral pitcher Rae Ball kept the Firebirds in the game, allowing four hits and one run – a third-inning RBI by Kayla Henry – until the sixth frame, when the Dorados’ offense caught up with her.

CDO (32-2) knocked in five runs off six hits. Taylor Watkins batted in two; Lindsey Weldon, Valerie Mendoza and Felicia Devine each hit in one.

“As a pitcher that’s huge,” Fowler said. “You can’t really ask for anything else when your team steps up that big.”

The run support took any possible seventh-inning pressure off of the star pitcher. Fowler promptly struck out the final three.

“We always want to slam the door on the other team as quickly as we can,” CDO head coach Amy Swiderski said. “It was not only momentum for this game, but it was momentum taking us into the next game.”

CDO will face No. 1 Cienega at University of Arizona Hillenbrand Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m., giving Fowler, who signed to play for the Wildcats, an opportunity to pitch her final high school game where she’ll pitch for the next four years.

“There’s nothing better,” Swiderski said. “We have all these kids (who) have been growing up dreaming about playing on that field. How cool is that?”

It won’t be easy. Cienega beat CDO 1-0 at Cienega on March 30.

In the game, Fowler threw a one-hitter. The run was unearned.

High school sports editor Geoff Grammer contributed to this article.

———

4A-I SOFTBALL TITLE GAME

Who: No. 1 Cienega (27-6) vs. No. 2 Canyon del Oro (32-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: UA’s Hillenbrand Stadium

Jenae Leles fields a grounder during practice at Hillenbrand Stadium Tuesday. Arizona plays its first NCAA Tournament game Friday.

During UA softball team practice sessions at Hillenbrand Stadium this week, Jenae Leles tried not to get too sentimental about the soothing confines.

When she looked around the stadium, there was a pang of regret.

“Just one more (game),” yearns the slugging senior Arizona third baseman, whose team faces Tennessee-Martin in Louisville, Ky., on Friday in an NCAA Tournament regional game.

Proper home season closure was denied the Wildcats. The squad never imagined it would play its last game at Hillenbrand on April 26.

The Pac-10 schedule made UA play its last seven regular season games on the road.

And then the NCAA decision denying the Wildcats’ bid to host an NCAA Tournament regional had them feeling cheated.

For Leles, who has 22 of the team’s NCAA record-tying 126 homers, many of them the skyshot variety, it’s a bittersweet affair.

Sweet because she can hardly ask for a more fruitful senior year; bitter for obvious reasons.

“You know, we’re still hoping we get (to host) a super regional,” she says. “That would next be fantastic.”

The notion might put some extra zing in the Wildcat bats as they go through the Louisville Regional this weekend. It could be a good chip on the shoulder to have.

UA has hit the long balls all year, but it’s not what the team focuses on.

“We never try to hit home runs,” Leles said. “That’s not what we’re taught. Our purpose is to drive the ball, make contact. We’ve been drilled with that from the beginning.”

Leles’ dad, John, played tennis at UA.

Leles, from Sacramento, Calif., said she could hardly believe her fortune when UA offered her the chance to join the tradition. Today she admits it’s a lot better to be wearing the red and blue then not.

“I don’t know if playing against Arizona is as intimidating now as it might have been. There is parity in softball,” she said. “But you like to think we still get people to be emotional about playing us. For us, we have to match it.”

Work with physical trainers allowed Leles to bloom into a power hitter.

Her home runs increased by five this year after she led the team with 17 a year ago.

She’s a problem for opposing pitchers because of her strength and the way she owns the plate. She’s taken an appropriate number of bruises for the Cats by being hit by pitches.

Whatever is needed.

Launching balls for homers has made fans notice her, but she wants her game to be grounded: make the tough plays at third base, take a pitch in the ribs when needed, stay consistent.

Arizona has had a different aura this year compared to others, because offense is the team’s strength.

But the pitching has come around in recent weeks.

“We work all year to peak (in) the postseason,” said Leles, who will play National Fast Pitch pro ball with the Rockford (Ill.) Thunder after her UA career.

“Pitching and defense . . . We’re always learning.”

———

NCAA SOFTBALL

UA’s games in the Louisville Regional won’t be on TV, but will be on 1290 AM. Go to www.tucsoncitizen.com/ua_softball for recaps and analysis.

Friday – Game 1: ARIZONA (41-14) vs. Tennessee-Martin (38-22), 1 p.m. Game 2: Louisville (47-9) vs. Purdue (29-18), 3 p.m.

Saturday – Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 a.m. Game 4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 9 a.m. Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner, noon

Sunday – Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 11 a.m. Game 7: Repeat, if needed, 1 p.m.

Tucson no longer has the Triple-A Sidewinders, but that hasn’t stopped the Tucson Toros from having a relationship with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Toros and Diamondbacks announced a two-game exhibition schedule Thursday. The Toros will compete against D’backs players who are in extended spring training.

The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday; the second will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Admission is free to both games.

The contests will be at Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre.

“This is definitely going to let me see what kind of talent we have and what kind of players because you’re playing in a competitive situation,” Toros manager Tim Johnson said.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’ll be able to, and the coaches will be able to, see what we have. I think it’s great.

“I want to play as many of these games as I can.”

Ex-Toros manager Bob Didier (1987-89), who manages the D’backs’ extended spring training, was instrumental in getting the exhibition games scheduled.

“(Didier) has been a great baseball guy for a long time and his father, Mel Didier, is like a father to me,” Johnson said.

Didier sees advantages for both sides.

“We’re looking forward to the games because we’re playing older veterans,” Didier said. “It will be good experience for the guys.”

Tucson opens its independent Golden Baseball League schedule with a home game against the Chico (Calif.) Outlaws at 7 p.m. May 21.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (left) scores on Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore during Game 7 of the second-round playoff series Wednesday in Washington.

WASHINGTON – For a guy who supposedly shies from the limelight, Sidney Crosby was as good as could be in the first Game 7 of his career.

The rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins were pretty close to perfect, too.

Crosby scored twice to raise his NHL-leading playoff goal total to 12, his teammates shut down his big rival, Alex Ovechkin, most of the night, and the Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.

Crosby “won’t say he likes front and center, the big stage, or anything like that,” Penguins forward Bill Guerin said. “But he really knows how to perform in it.”

That’s for sure.

Still, Crosby took no outward pleasure in coming out ahead in the second-round series otherwise known as Sid the Kid vs. Alexander the Great.

“It feels good, just because of the way the series went,” Crosby said, “not particularly because it was me and him.”

Everyone chipped in for the Penguins, from the stars to the second thoughts, from regular-season scoring leader Evgeni Malkin’s two assists, to fourth-line forward Craig Adams’ first goal in 42 career postseason games. Second-year defenseman Kris Letang, 38-year-old Guerin and Jordan Staal scored, too. Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves and didn’t allow a goal until his team led 5-0.

Indeed, plenty of Penguins considered the key moment Fleury’s nerve-testing save on two-time NHL goal leader Ovechkin on a breakaway just 3:01 into a still-scoreless game.

“That sends your team a message right away,” Crosby said. “It allows you to calm down a little.”

Even Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said, “It didn’t seem like we had a lot of emotion, but if Alex would have put that one in on the breakaway, who knows? It might have been a different story.”

Perhaps. But the Penguins dominated at both ends, and needed less than 22 1/2 minutes to forge a four-goal lead that moved Boudreau to switch goalies.

“We were surprised” at how easy things went, Malkin said.

Pittsburgh’s 4-3 series victory moves it closer to a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup finals, something the team last did in 1991 and 1992. The Penguins will face the Bruins or Hurricanes, who play their second-round Game 7 at Boston on Thursday night.

———

Thursday: Anaheim at Detroit, 4 p.m. (series tied 3-3); Carolina at Boston, 6:30 p.m. (series tied 3-3)

Denver ends nasty series with Dallas in five feisty games

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (right) falls back to make a shot over Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier (left) and guard Josh Howard on Wednesday in Denver.

DENVER – Chauncey Billups is taking his hometown team to new heights with a big assist from Carmelo Anthony.

Behind 30 points from Anthony and 28 from Billups, the Denver Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 124-110 on Wednesday night to wrap up their semifinal series in five feisty games.

So, the Nuggets are leaving all the animosity with the Mavericks’ players, fans and owner behind and heading to their first Western Conference finals since 1985.

The Nuggets, who are 8-2 in the playoffs after tying their franchise record with a 54-win regular season, will face either Los Angeles or Houston for the conference championship.

“It’s special. We worked hard in the offseason and training camp and throughout,” Anthony said. “We stuck to everything, we overcame adversity, we stayed humble and our hard work paid off.”

Winners of 16 straight games at the Pepsi Center, where no opponent has won since March 9, the Nuggets would start their next series on the road if the Lakers win, and at home if Houston does. The Lakers lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 Thursday night in Houston.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said the combination of Billups, a proven winner, and Anthony, “who’s just taking quantum leaps as a great player and leader,” makes the Nuggets a true title contender.

“These guys are legitimate, a legitimate championship-caliber team,” Carlisle said. “They’ve got a great shot. They’ve got a real opportunity.”

The Nuggets didn’t dare dream of this type of success when the season began following the departures of defensive stalwarts Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera.

“Sometimes when you’re forced to come together and fight together and persevere, your best qualities come forward,” Denver coach George Karl said.

The impetus for the transformation came when the team made its biggest trade ever, Allen Iverson to Detroit for Billups, who turned his hometown team from an afterthought into a championship contender after leading the Pistons to six straight Eastern Conference finals and the NBA championship in 2004.

“He’s a leader,” Anthony said of Billups. “He came on this team and he brought a businesslike attitude to our team. He brought a defensive mindset we were looking for.”

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THURSDAY’S NBA

> Boston at Orlando, 4 p.m., ESPN. Celtics lead 3-2

> Lakers at Houston, 6:30 p.m., ESPN. Lakers lead 3-2

The Arizona Diamondbacks have narrowed their search for a new spring training home in metro Phoenix to three locations, including two on Indian tribal land, team Chief Executive Derrick Hall said Wednesday.

Hall said all of the locations are two-team sites, and it’s likely the Diamondbacks would share the facility with the Colorado Rockies. A final decision could come in the next few weeks.

Hall declined to disclose the locations, except for saying two were on tribal land. The cost of the training facility is expected to be around $100 million.

Only the Salt River Pima-Maricopa and Fort McDowell Yavapai communities made offers in late March after the Gila River Indian Community decided to not make a bid. The third location was unknown, but bids also came from Phoenix, Casa Grande and an undisclosed West Valley city. The tribes and Rockies could not immediately be reached for comment.

“In all three cases, no public money would be involved,” Hall said. “It has to be privately funded and financed so it does not affect the taxpayer at all, which makes it challenging in this economy.”

The Diamondbacks and Rockies are looking to leave Tucson after the departure this year of the Chicago White Sox, who relocated to a new facility near Glendale. The teams say being the only two Cactus League clubs in southern Arizona puts them at a disadvantage compared with the other teams that train in the Valley.

Hall said the Diamondbacks would remain at Tucson Electric Park for at least next season, but would like to be in a new home by 2011.

The Diamondbacks are contractually obligated to play at TEP through 2012, while the Rockies have a contract to play at Hi Corbett Field through 2011. But with the departure of the White Sox, both teams have said there are escape clauses to leave early.

Lopez can point to players like Tigers’ Perry, Padres’ Hundley

Ryan Perry, who graduated from Marana High School, has struck out 10 batters in 12.1 innings for Detroit this year.

Marana High grad Ryan Perry is a reliever for the Detroit Tigers – less than a year after helping pitch the University of Arizona to the super-regional of the NCAA Tournament.

Former UA reliever Mark Melancon made it to the big leagues with the New York Yankees before being sent back down last week for – of all players – Alex Rodriguez.

Ex-Wildcat Nick Hundley is the starting catcher for the San Diego Padres, while former UA outfielder Brian Anderson is working his way back from the disabled list for the Chicago White Sox.

They are just a few of the players UA coaches are using as recruiting bait to improve the future of a team sitting in eighth place in the Pac-10 with a 25-23 record. The Wildcats, trying to make a late run to reach the postseason, face Washington at home Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“How is my son going to develop? That’s a question we get a lot from parents,” UA coach Andy Lopez said. “We mention guys like Perry and Melancon and guys I had at Florida. It’s an important question in the recruiting process.”

UA has had 37 players drafted since 2003, with many on the verge of joining Perry, Hundley and Anderson in the majors.

Shortstop Jason Donald (Philadelphia), pitcher Brad Mills (Toronto), outfielder Trevor Crowe (Cleveland), pitcher John Meloan (Cleveland) and first baseman Jordan Brown (Cleveland) are all seeing time at the Triple-A level.

Lopez gets the credit, but he passes along the praise to chief recruiting assistant Mark Wasikowski.

“Waz has done a great job in recruiting. My assistants have done a marvelous job. We have not messed them up and they have developed,” Lopez said. “And really, none of those guys came in here as (guaranteed) first or second-round picks.”

Lopez developed major leaguers David Eckstein, Mark Ellis, Brad Wilkerson, David Ross, Ryan Shealy and Josh Fogg while at Florida before arriving at Arizona.

Perry leapfrogged through the Tigers organization to quickly make it to “The Show,” but Lopez remembers his first few days at UA being rough.

“We were working together in the pen, and he’s looking at me like I am talking a foreign language. Holy smokes, I am thinking I need an interpreter,” Lopez said. “Four year later, he’s in the big leagues.”

Perry entered this week with an 0-1 record in 12 1/3 innings for the Tigers. He’s allowed four earned runs, while striking out 10 and walking 11 in 13 games.

“I’m not surprised by his talent,” Lopez said. “He has a gorgeous delivery. He’s young and really eager to get better.”

As for Hundley, he’s established himself as an offensive weapon for the Padres and a solid catcher for a promising pitching staff.

“A good makeup (character) and work ethic will get you somewhere. Nick is proof of that,” Lopez said. “His work ethic is off the charts. He gets behind there and runs the show.”

Hundley is batting .263 through 22 games, with 8 RBIs and a homer.

Anderson, a former first-round pick of the White Sox in 2003, is a backup outfielder for Chicago but has been on the disabled list with a strained side muscle. He’s beginning to take part in light batting practice, and could be back with the club by next week.

Anderson has developed a reputation for his defensive skills, but he must improve on his .227 career average. He was hitting .288 before going on the DL.

Potential arm issues dropped Melancon to the ninth round of the 2006 draft, but he was one of college baseball’s top closers from 2004-06.

Lopez told anybody who would listen not to worry about Melancon’s health or determination.

The Yankees listened. It took a few years, but Melancon made his first major league appearance a couple of weeks ago, shutting out Boston for two innings.

Melancon walked five in 3.1 innings, however, and was sent down to Triple-A Scranton-/Wilkes-Barre. He’s hoping to make it back to New York soon.

“I told the Yankees scouts when his arm was hurting that I would sign this guy in a heartbeat,” Lopez said. “Mark would will himself to the big leagues. Not for one second was I surprised he (made it).”

San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley, a former Wildcat, can't get the tag on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Juan Pierre in time during a game earlier this month in Los Angeles.

Former UA reliever Mark Melancon of the New York Yankees hangs his head after throwing a wild pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in a May 1 at Yankee Stadium.

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WILDCATS DRAFTED

Arizona has had 37 players picked in the Major League Baseball draft since Andy Lopez took over in 2003:

Year No.

2003 4

2004 3

2005 8

2006 4

2007 7

2008 11

———

Washington (23-25, 12-9) at Arizona (25-23, 8-13)

Saturday: 7 p.m.

Sunday: 6 p.m.

Monday: noon

> Games at Sancet Stadium, 1290 AM

– CLICK HERE to view team-by-team schedules –

As the state’s all-time winningest high school football coach, Amphi’s Vern Friedli has plenty of victories he can look back on fondly.

To be precise, he has 309.

“But there isn’t a sweeter feeling we ever had than those bus rides down Oracle Road after upsetting CDO,” said Friedli, whose Panthers beat Canyon del Oro 22 times in Friedli’s 33 seasons of coaching at Amphi.

CDO has won the last five games between the two schools, including the past three in lopsided fashion, but it was still one of Tucson’s longest standing football rivalries.

That ended Tuesday when the 2009 football schedule was released. For the first time since 1968, Amphi and CDO won’t play football against each other.

“It’s a shame,” Friedli said.

While Amphi’s enrollment, and in turn student participation in football, has plummeted since Ironwood Ridge High opened earlier this decade, CDO has developed into one of the state’s top Class 4A programs.

“It was pretty heated my first couple years and Amphi just completely dominated the rivalry,” said former CDO coach Pat Nugent, who now coaches Pima Community College.

“I know that Ironwood Ridge opening really hurt Amphi and the fact of the matter is it just hasn’t been that much of a rivalry recently.”

Friedli acknowledges his program’s drop in numbers in recent years has hurt the program, pointing out there were eight starters on either Ironwood Ridge or CDO who attended middle school within Amphi High’s boundaries. That was before open enrollment allowed students to go to any one of the three schools in the Amphi district.

“You give us back eight starters last year and we’re a hell of a lot more competitive,” said Friedli, whose team went 6-5 and qualified for the 4A Division II playoffs. “But that’s not how it is anymore. Now, like we’ve always done, we’ll play the hand we’re dealt.”

Amphi returned to the playoffs in 2008, but its less-than-typical record in previous years began hurting CDO’s power ranking points, the system used to seed the state tournament that rewards teams for playing tough opponents.

The more wins your opponents have, the higher your power ranking.

In place of the annual CDO/Amphi game, CDO will play Ironwood Ridge. The two teams have only played three times, but it is one of the area’s best budding rivalries.

“Getting them to open things up, I can tell you the kids are already excited about that game,” CDO first-year coach Dustin Peace said.

While CDO/Amphi is no more for the season, that doesn’t mean there will be a shortage of strong matchups for the 2009 season among Tucson-area teams.

Here is a look at 15 games with intriguing storylines this fall:

Sabino at Sahuaro (Aug. 27)

Scott McKee’s first game as Sahuaro head coach will be tough. He faces a powerful Sabino team he starred for in the 1990s. Of course, that was long before Sabino beat Sahuaro by a combined 143-19 the past three seasons.

Ironwood Ridge at CDO (Aug. 28)

Ironwood Ridge and CDO are two of the best teams in Tucson and will be breaking in new head coaches in the season opener with Matt Johnson (Ironwood Ridge) and Dustin Peace (CDO). The teams have only played three times, but it’s hard not to call this one of the area’s best rivalries and the Dorados are still looking for payback for the Nighthawks beating them twice in 2006, including in the state playoffs.

CDO at Santa Rita (Sept. 4)

Two of Tucson’s best teams over the past two years go at it. Santa Rita coach Jeff Scurran coached at CDO from 1984-86.

Santa Rita at Sabino (Sept. 11)

Scurran returns as opposing coach at Sabino, where he was one of the state’s most dominant coaches in the 1990s, winning three state championships.

Salpointe at Ironwood Ridge (Sept. 25)

Salpointe took a perfect record into the Ironwood Ridge game in 2008 before the Nighthawks thumped the Lancers 41-14.

Scottsdale Saguaro at CDO (Oct. 2)

A rematch of the 2007 4A-I state title thriller. Saguaro has been as dominant as anyone in Arizona for three years, going 41-1 with three state titles. In its current 33-game win streak, nobody put a scare into Saguaro quite like CDO did at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2007, when Saguaro hit a game-winning field goal with two seconds remaining.

Salpointe at Chandler Hamilton (Oct. 9)

Salpointe trades in a series with one 5A-I powerhouse, Phoenix Brophy, for one with Chandler Hamilton, the state’s top college recruiting factory.

Amphi at Santa Rita (Oct. 16)

Anytime Friedli and Scurran go at it, it’s fun to watch. Amphi put one heck of a scare into the Eagles in 2008 and, short of a win, it’s hard to imagine anything that makes Friedli more happy than making Scurran sweat.

Cholla at Rio Rico (Oct. 16)

Both teams struggled through 0-10 seasons in 2008. While I don’t think it will happen again, it’s nice to know winless seasons for both won’t happen again in 2009.

Ironwood Ridge at Sunnyside (Oct. 23)

The two teams have played four times the past two seasons, splitting 2-2 and not having a game determined by more than a touchdown in the span. Sunnyside ended the Nighthawks’ season in the 2007 5A-II playoffs. Ironwood Ridge returned the favor in 2008.

Flowing Wells at Catalina Foothills (Oct. 23)

First-year Flowing Wells coach Mark Brunenkant returns to Foothills, where he coached the Falcons for nine of the program’s 15 seasons.

Sunnyside at Salpointe (Nov. 6)

With Salpointe slapped with a postseason ban next year because of recruiting violations, this will be the Lancers’ final game of the season, but it isn’t as if added motivation is needed.

Cienega at Sahuaro (Nov. 6)

Former Sahuaro coaches Nemer Hassey, the head coach at Cienega, and Chuck McCollum, an offensive line coach at Cienega, return to play the Cougars.

Palo Verde at Santa Rita (Nov. 6)

This game has determined the 4A Gila Region title the past two seasons. Even without Adam Hall at Palo Verde, it could be a big test for Santa Rita.

Sabino at CDO (Nov. 6)

In its first year in the 4A Sonoran Region, the Sabercats could be playing CDO for the region title. Aside from the region implications, sought-after college recruits Sabino’s Keanu Nelson and CDO’s Josh Robbins will be winding down their senior seasons.

For more on high school sports, check out the Grammer School sports blog.

Jackson

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks placed slumping outfielder Conor Jackson on the 15-day disabled list with a “general illness.”

Jackson has had a prolonged fever and cough, and the club plans to put him through a battery of tests, manager A.J. Hinch said before the Diamondbacks played Cincinnati on Tuesday.

“We’re going to call it a general illness until we know exactly what it is,” Hinch said. “But it’s been a significant amount of time. That’s why we’re concerned.”

In a corresponding move, Arizona reinstated shortstop Stephen Drew from the disabled list. Drew walked as a pinch-hitter Tuesday night, as Arizona dropped to 12-20 with a 3-1 loss to visiting Cincinnati.

Jackson started in left field on opening day. He is hitting .182 – 105 points below his career average – and has only one hit in his last 19 at-bats.

The Diamondbacks decided to put Jackson on the DL because they didn’t want to play short-handed while they waited for him to return to full strength.

“He just never has been able to shake this cough, this fever, aches and things like that,” Hinch said. “We’re baffled a little bit by this because it’s been a long time and he’s just never really gotten better.

“He’s showing signs of coming out of it, and then kind of relapses,” Hinch said. “So we’re going to do a full battery of tests to rule out just about everything to get him back healthy again and back on his feet. This game’s hard enough when you’re completely on your feet. When you’re battling this – the temperature, the coughs, the aches – it’s near impossible.”

The move leaves the Diamondbacks with only three outfielders – Eric Byrnes, Chris Young and Justin Upton – although that may change in the next few days.

Hinch said he would use utility infielder Ryan Roberts in the outfield if he needs to. Roberts has played one game in the outfield – on May 16, 2007, for Toronto against Baltimore.

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UP NEXT

Cincinnati (Cueto 3-1) at Arizona (Augenstein 0-0), 6:40 p.m. Wednesday. TV: FSNA. Radio: 1490 AM

The Celtics' Ray Allen (right) and Stephon Marbury celebrate after Allen's 3-pointer gave Boston the lead over the Orlando Magic in Boston.

BOSTON – He’s technically a member of the defending champions, but Stephon Marbury doesn’t have the ring and the memories of the Celtics’ 17th NBA title.

So he’s doing what he can to help them win an 18th.

“I’m playing basketball this year. For me, that was enough,” Marbury said Tuesday night after scoring all of his 12 points in the final quarter to help Boston rally from a 14-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic 92-88.

“From where I was, just being able to get back on the court after not playing the whole year, I know I’m blessed. I’m just happy that I had the opportunity to come out and help the Celtics win another championship.”

Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 1:20 left gave Boston its first lead since midway through the first quarter, and the Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a chance to close it out in Game 6 at Orlando on Thursday night.

Dwight Howard had 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Magic, who did not hit a basket after opening a 10-point lead with 5:39 to play. It didn’t help that, on one of the only times the Orlando defense played well, the officials ruled that Rajon Rondo’s apparent air ball hit the rim and gave Boston a fresh 24-second clock with 37 seconds to play.

“You can watch it, you can write whether it hit the rim or not,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “But you want us coaches to say it, so that I can donate money to the league and I can be called a whiner and everything.

“You’re playing Boston. They’re the defending champions. That’s the way it is. They all watch boxing. You’re in the 12th round against the champ. You can’t be thinking, ‘I’m going to put it in the hands of the judges.’ You can’t do that. You got to knock them out.”

Paul Pierce had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Game 4 hero Glen “Big Baby” Davis scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Davis also grabbed the rebound and hit a pair of free throws after Howard intentionally missed a free throw with 5.9 seconds left.

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WEDNESDAY’S NBA

Dallas at Denver, 6 p.m., TNT

Winning regional, ‘matter of coming together,’ slugger Leles says

The Arizona softball team got five minutes Sunday to grouse about not getting to host an NCAA regional.

Then the Wildcats were instructed by coach Mike Candrea to “let it go.”

Arizona was sent to Louisville, Ky., where it opens against Tennessee-Martin on Friday.

“You have to get over the anger,” said UA senior third baseman Jenae Leles, who is second on the team in home runs (22).

There are other immediate matters at hand, like facing the postseason with peak performance and synchronizing all those necessary cylinders – namely pitching and defense to go with the team’s powerful offense.

The next homer by UA will break the NCAA – and school – season record of 126 dingers.

There are variables to consider, such as the humidity. There’s also the fact UA will face opponents that, while not highly rated, are capable of sending the Wildcats home heartbroken.

Leles, whose power shots are legend, said criticism that the Cats are just a bomber team is passe.

“I think we have proved the last few weeks that we can win with pitching and defense, too,” she said. “It’s all a matter of coming together.”

If Arizona tradition still intimidates foes, parity in college softball has diminished it.

“Our job, especially in the postseason, is to get higher than the emotional level of a team we play,” Leles said. “Tradition, though, can motivate us.”

What hurts the most for the seniors is they weren’t prepared to have their season end at home before May, as the weird 2009 schedule demanded.

“But there is still a chance that we can host the super regional next week,” Leles said.

In the meantime, politics means nothing on the field.

“Coach told us to get used to (politics),” she said. “It’s not so much we see it in softball but more than we will see it in life.”

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LOUISVILLE REGIONAL

Friday

Game 1: UA vs. Tennessee-Martin

Game 2: Louisville vs. Purdue

Saturday

Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner

Game 4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser

Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner

Sunday

Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Game 7: Same teams (if necessary)