The first one was a hit so now what?

The consensus on the success of the inaugural Copper State Invitational for flag football was resounding thumbs up.

It will be interesting to see if it expands in the future as the eight-team field could grow now that those around the sport applauded the support from the Fiesta Bowl Foundation.

“We had to prove that we can organize a high-level flag football event,” Hamilton coach Matt Stone said. “It takes every single minute decision and elevates what we do. I’ve never seen an invitation do it to this extent. I think what it is going to do is everyone is going to be asking to get in and I think we can even bring in teams from other states.”

Or even better yet, to expand the sport even more so nationally, have other big-name bowl games with tradition and reach in the community to jump on board.

“We are so lucky to have the Fiesta Bowl here in Arizona,” Stone said. “I wish the Rose Bowl in California, the Orange Bowl in Florida and others would do the same. The Fiesta Bowl deserves so much credit.”

Huskies star Samaya Taylor-Jenkins approved of the Tempe-based event as well as the hardware as the players were given big trophies, the team received a very large and heavy trophy, and the MVP received a pro wrestling championship type belt.

“I mean we were here to win no matter what but (the Fiesta Bowl) took care of us,” she said. “This was a great event, and we can say we were the first winners.”

Being connected to the Fiesta Bowl meant even more to Stone, a Portland, Ore., native who gravitated toward the Arizona State after seeing the Fiesta Bowl on TV every year, being especially drawn in from the ariel shots of Sun Devil Stadium.

“My mom said when I was 8 years old, I said 'I am going to be a Sun Devil',” he recalled. “I loved that huge fireball symbol (Fiesta Bowl logo), and I was mesmerized. I always wanted to be part of the Fiesta Bowl tradition so there is something very personal to be able to coach on the field sponsored by the Fiesta Bowl and seeing (the representatives who wear) the yellow jackets out here.

“I know it doesn’t probably mean as much to the girls because I am older, but it had a real special significance to me.”

Updating history

After last week’s notebook about Mesa reaching 700 wins, several people went to the history books to see where their program was at in total wins.

Here is what other reporters, and athletic director (current and retired) produced after doing their own research.

Thatcher is at 604, Chandler is at 572-451-25, and Brophy 503-328-19.

Keep the updates coming.

Mentoring observation

Witnessed an interesting and poignant interaction on the sidelines of ALA-Gilbert North’s blowout win over Gilbert last Friday.

The Eagles sideline was bursting with smiles, conversations and laughing quite a bit in the tail end of an easy victory.

There was one player who had a couple of opportunities for big plays but came up short on those attempts.

He wanted to be part of the scoring barrage in a 49-6 win. He wasn’t able to contribute the way he wanted to, and it was clear he was disappointed in how he played, and it was eating at him.

Ty Detmer noticed. The head coach approached the player when he was off to the side of everyone else.

Detmer put his arm around the player and had a one-on-one conversation with him for a good five minutes if not more.

That’s what coaching is all about.

Beach boys

The inaugural season of boys beach volleyball is headed toward the postseason and there are some undefeated teams remaining headed into Wednesday’s action.

Sandra Day O’Connor, Brophy, Mesa Mountain View, Red Mountain, Perry, and Casteel are all off to a good start.

Williams Field, Boulder Creek, Westwood, Mesa, and Arizona College Prep all have one loss.

The top 16 will make the playoffs, which start on November 3 at the top eight seeds.

In the latest rankings, Perry, O’Connor, Casteel, and Brophy are the top seeds.

Fallen coach

Mike Reardon, who was the head coach at three East Valley programs, has died.

He coached – at some level in three different states – for 42 years including stints at Highland, Mesquite and Saguaro.

Reardon-coached teams in Arizona made the playoffs nine of his 11 seasons in Arizona.

"It is time to hang it up," Reardon told AzPreps365 in 2010 when he retired. "Time to move over and let a younger guy come in. And besides I'm ready to go out and play some golf."

His first stop in Arizona was at Highland in 1998. The Hawks went 24-19 with three playoff appearances. At Saguaro, the Sabercats went 29-9 from 2004-06 including a state title in 2006 when they sent 13-1.

Reardon, who started out in the Salt Lake City area and spent some time in California as well, followed it up with four years at Mesquite as the Wildcats went 22-23 with three playoff appearances.

"I'd rather go out a year early than a year late," Reardon said after retiring. "This year was a great group of kids, and they had a good year. The kids were great, the staff was great. That's the kind of memory you want to go out on."

Swim leaders

Some of the East Valley swimmers have been posting great times including some that lead the conference or state.

Here are some of the best times so far as the season builds toward the postseason.

On the boys side, Mountain View’s Gavin Willyerd is first in the 200 free at 1 minute and 40.82 seconds, and right behind him is Higley’s Grant Kellis at 1:41.75.

Red Mountain’s Stephen Argabright is first in the 500 free at 4:32.30, while Dobson’s Grayson Pudleiner leads in the 100 breast at 58.71 seconds.

For the girls events, Desert Vista’s Marley Spray has the best time in the state in the 200 free at 1:51.39 with teammate Alexa Largent is next at 1:53.13. Spray also has the best time in the 100 fly at 55:27 and Largent is first in the 500 free at 4:56.79.

Basha’s Regan Uhlik is the leader in the 200 medley at 2:03.80.