Catalina Foohills won eight state titles and was runner-up in three other championships this past year to pace schools in Southern Arizona and the East Valley in athletic accomplishments.
For Red Mountain to repeat as 5A-I softbal champs Friday, coach Rich Hamilton needed a strong performance from freshman pitcher Breanna Macha and better-than-normal defense.
He got both plus a big night from junior Siera Phillips with the bat.
It is known, perhaps trademarked now, as the Red Mountain Way.
In softball that means Red Mountain had to fight its way back through the 5A-I state tournament loser\\\'s bracket for the chance to play for the championship. For the fourth time in six years of the double-elimination format, Red Mountain won twice on semifinal Wednesday to advance to winner-take-all Friday.
Red Mountain had no trouble disposing of Mountain Ridge, by scoring 10 runs in the first two innings of its 5A-I elimination game. Gilbert High used a sixth-inning, two-out double to edge Salpointe.