Net result: Friends end court rivalry

For eight years, they did everything together — except tell each other they each had budding tennis careers.

"In the eighth grade, we finally realized it," said Gee, now the No. 1 singles player at Sabino. "Right away we were like, 'Now we've got to play together.'"

Gallego, a Sahuaro senior, faced his lifelong friend's school Tuesday at home in the teams' season opener. Sabino won 7-2 behind Gee's 6-3, 6-3 singles win over Shane Foster.

It was the last time Gee and Gallego will be on the court together in high school.

"Before the match we talked, and we knew it was bringing an end to our high school careers," said Gallego, who won his doubles match with partner Ben Bell 10-8 (7-3). "But whatever we do, we know we'll still hang out."

CDO grad Mall earns weekly honor

Courtney Mall, a 2005 graduate of Canyon del Oro, was named the Great Lakes Valley Christian softball player of the week for Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

Mall, a sophomore outfielder, batted .455 with six runs, and racked up a .909 slugging percentage for the Cougars (3-2) in their first five games of the year.

Mall was an All-Southern Arizona leadoff hitter for CDO when it won the Class 5A state championship her senior year.

Collins signs letter with Ark. school

Desert Christian boys soccer all-star Ross Collins has signed a letter of intent to play collegiately at John Brown University, an NAIA school in Siloam Springs, Ark.

Collins had 11 goals and 11 assists in the Eagles' run to the 1A-3A state semifinals in the fall season.