54 FEBRUARY 2018 Arc A d A News By Kaylee Sumpter The beginning of 2018 has proven successful for the Arcadia High School Girls Basketball Team. As of press time, the Titans were 20-2 after winning the Lady Titan Winter Hoops Classic, a tournament featuring 24 teams. For the Titans, the goal of this season has been to avenge last year’s stunning playoff loss. The team had one of the best seasons in school history, sporting a 25-2 overall record heading into the 5A state playoff tournament. The #2 seeded Titans won their first game, but ended up dropping the second round matchup to Cienega. The team may be focused on a deeper playoff run, but head coach Ives Machiz, who has been coaching for 17 years, 11 of those with Arcadia, says the most rewarding part of coaching isn’t the final win and loss count, but the growth of the team during the season. “I love working with the players, and helping them be the best they can be,” she said. “Certainly, the competitive aspect is also fun, but the biggest payoff is always comparing where we were when we started the season versus where we ended the season. In a successful season, we see a lot of improvement, and that is the real payoff.” As the season winds down, the team is in a similar position to last season. Once again, they sport a stellar 18-2 overall record. The team also won the Lady Titan Winter Hoops Classic in December, beating a Pinnacle team in the final game that had defeated them earlier in the season. But the players plan on playing a little longer into February than last year. The goal is unwavering, no matter which player you ask. “All year we’ve just been working toward our goal of winning a state title,” said senior guard Dylan Watkiss. “I want to win state for my teammates, coaches, and school,” added Bryce Nixon, a senior point guard for the Titans. Nixon has been a constant for the Titans over the past four seasons. She scored over 20 points 20 times as a sophomore, including two 30 point explosion, all in 32 minute games. She averaged over 20 points again as a junior, and is leading the team this season with over 18 points per game, along with five assists and four steals a game. Other standouts for the team this season include Watkiss, averaging ten points and four steals each contest, and senior Cassidy Campbell, who also hit double digits points per game with ten. The Titans will need the help of a supportive home crowd as they make their playoff march. Machiz encourages Arcadians to come out and watch the team’s remaining games. “We play an exciting, up-tempo style of basketball,” he said. “We can score in transition, we are tough on defense and work hard, and we can win game possession by possession if we have to. The games are fun, and we play with a lot of energy.” Machiz also highlights the importance of the support the team receives from the Arcadia community. “We enjoy the support of a great group of parents. We would like to see more of the Arcadia community come out and support us,” said Machiz. “We represent the community well, both with the basketball we play and the sportsmanship and character we are committed to. We hope more people can see that.” “I’m hoping that, in the Arcadia community, more girls become interested in playing basketball because it is a great sport,” said Watkiss. “Come catch a game!” Nearly perfect Lady Titans basketball eyes state championship Senior guard Bryce Nixon is leading the Titans with 18 points per game. CRAIG RICHARDSON PHOTOGRAPHY Contact Roni@Arcadianews.com today to find out how you can save up to 46% on your ad investment! How to reach 50,000 potential patients or clients... advertise in DIR EC TORY DIR EC TORY The Arcadia News Health & Wellness Directory is the perfect way to promote your practice or business to the affluent, educated and health-minded readers of the Arcadia News . The Health & Wellness Directory is mailed in the Arcadia News six times per year to homes in the Arcadia/Biltmore/Camelback Corridor. It is also distributed at over 70 retail locations. 2018 Health & Wellness Directory MARCH 2018 Ad space and design 02/18 @ Noon | Print-ready art due 02/18 @ 5 p.m. MAY 2018 Ad space and design 04/18 @ Noon | Print-ready art due 04/18 @ 5 p.m. 3641 N. 56th Street, Phoenix • 480-945-9537 • poppreschool.com Northeast corner of 56th St. and Indian School Preschool Registration for Fall 2018 begins on February 1 for New Families Prince of Peace Preschool is ideally located in the heart of the Arcadia neighborhood. Established in 1967, we value our rich history and are honored to serve the families of the close-knit Arcadia community. We appreciate the generations of families that have passed through our school and we look forward to watching future generations grow and learn with us during their precious preschool years. We strive to provide every child with a great preschool experience that includes: Experienced and Loving Teachers Developmentally-Appropriate Curriculum Weekly Chapel and Afternoon Enrichment Classes Large Classrooms, Playgrounds and a Gymnasium For Children Ages 2-5 Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We welcome you to our school and invite you to call us at 480-947-5645 to schedule a tour during February. Classes fill up very quickly and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to meeting your family!

The Arcadia News has been audited by the Circulation Verification Council and the numbers are in… VERIFIED DISTRIBUTION 93.4% VERIFIED READERSHIP 79.1% READERS READY TO BUY 74.7% There is no better way to reach Arcadia and the surrounding area. (Other direct-mail marketing options have an average response rate of 5.26%**) **Source: 2015 DMA Response Rate Report (based on Standard Mail advertising solicitations) The Arcadia News is direct-mailed to 13,000 households via USPS and distributes 7,000 via racks each month. The Circulation Verification Council (CVC) surveyed Arcadia News readers in the primary market areas indicated in the publication’s audit report. The CVC reviewed the printing, distribution, circulation, technology and general business records of this publication. For a copy of this report call the Arcadia News at 602-840-6379 or e-mail: greg@arcadianews.com. For information about the market we reach: arcadianews.com/advertise or roni@arcadianews.com. of 20,000 copies per month reach our readers of area households regularly read Arcadia News regularly purchase products or services from ads seen in the Arcadia News AWA R D W I N N I N G N E I G H B O R H O O D N E W S S I N C E 1 9 9 3 *Source: September 2017 CVC Publication Report Audit. AWA R D W I N N I N G N E I G H B O R H O O D N E W S S I N C E 19 93