Wins, and championships are overly exhausting especially when there’s a battle that is rarely talked about until an athlete commits suicide while that athlete had fought depression alone.

I know personally about the battle of depression, suicidal thoughts, and trying to kill myself. 

I’ve battled depression and loneliness. There were seasons in my life when it felt like no one cared. Moments when dark thoughts played on repeat over and over, trying to convince me that ending it all was the only way out.

The greatest words I can say clearly are: Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord. In Jesus, I’ve learned something powerful and true which is that you can be hurting and still be victorious. You can be under attack and still be an overcomer. My faith in Jesus doesn’t mean the fight disappeared overnight, but it means I never fight alone. When the enemy Satan whispers lies to me, Jesus Christ speaks truth to me in His Holy Scriptures. When the noise gets loud, His voice gets louder: I am not done with you.

Athletes, we’re taught to play through pain. But emotional and spiritual injuries require a different kind of courage. The courage to speak, to pray, to ask for help, and to rest in truth when your mind feels broken. Guarding your heart is part of training. Protecting your mind is part of the practice. Faith in Jesus isn’t weakness; it’s His strength under control.

Let me tell you this that every athlete in each locker room needs to hear:

• Your worth is not in wins or championships.

• Your identity is not your stats line.

• Your future is not your past mistakes.

If you’re struggling, that doesn’t disqualify you! Jesus uses pressure to produce His purpose. He uses broken places to release His power. And He uses real stories to save real lives through Him! 

If you’re reading this and you’re tired mentally, emotionally, feeling overwhelmed and discouraged you’re not weak for hurting you're human. You’re not alone, you’re loved by Jesus Christ who is the only true God, Savior, and Lord who sees the whole story even when you can only see the section or only a chapter. 

Your victory is bigger than banners.

Your greatness is deeper than trophies.

Your purpose will outlast every season.

Stay in the fight. Speak the truth. Surrender to and depend on Jesus Christ because this earth needs you here!

AAU: Valley Storm

High School: Dream City Christian (National Team)

Position: Guard

Class: 2026

Jazz Perez is quickly making a name for herself as an emerging point guard in Arizona with the tools to lead any offense. Her outstanding court vision and high basketball IQ set the tone for her game allowing her to read defenses, anticipate plays, and make the right decisions under pressure.

Perez moves with purpose, always knowledgeable of where she needs to be to influence the possession. She consistently positions herself to score while keeping an eye out for teammates, weaving passes that create easy looks. Her understanding of spacing and timing helps her control the pace, providing her team with good plays add to her strengths.

Whether it’s breaking down a defense off the dribble or setting up her outstanding assist, Perez plays with a maturity beyond her years. She’s a bright lead guard whose combination of poise, awareness, and playmaking makes her one to watch as her game continues to grow.

Emerging guard with maturity beyond her years. High-IQ playmaker who reads defenses, anticipates plays, and makes the right decisions under pressure. Strong court vision and timing allow her to consistently set up teammates while remaining a scoring threat herself. Controls pace with poise and awareness — a rising talent to watch in Arizona.

AAU: Locked In Elite

High School: Deer Valley

Position: Guard

Class: 2027

Mai Wolfe brings a commanding presence every time she steps onto the court. Known for her strength and physicality, Wolfe thrives finishing through contact with poise and power. She has the ability to absorb hits, maintain balance, and still convert, making her a dependable scoring option inside.

Her impact extends well beyond her offensive game. Wolfe is a dominant force on the boards, controlling rebounds on both ends of the floor. She boxes out with purpose, reads the orbit of the ball well, and turns second-chance opportunities into scoring chances for her team.

What truly separates Wolfe from others is her leadership. She’s a vocal presence, keeping her teammates locked in and energized throughout the game. Whether she’s on the court directing traffic or on the bench cheering with enthusiasm, her positivity and communication upgrade the entire roster.

In a game where energy, toughness, and leadership are priceless, Mai Wolfe delivers all three. She’s the kind of player who not only anchors in the storm but also becomes the heartbeat of her team.

Just around the corner, the stadium lights will be turned on, bands will play their fight songs, and the community will be in cheers. In states where high school football is life. 2025 promises to provide storylines, rivalries, and star performances that will keep fans buzzing from August through December. 

Arizona: The Battle In The Desert 

Arizona’s football has been heating up in recent years, and 2025 will look no different. Chandler, Saguaro, and Liberty enter the season as yearly contenders, but keep an eye on Basha; their returning skill players could make them a dark horse in the Open Division!  Rivalry games like Chandler vs. Hamilton will not disappoint and growing talents from Phoenix to Tucson are ready to make their mark on the national recruiting charts.

California: Where True Legends Are Created

Elite powerhouse programs such as Mater Dei and St. John Bosco in Southern California to Northern California, De La Salle and Folsom, the Golden State continues to create some of the most college-ready players in the country. This year’s QB class is deep who can light up scoreboards every Friday night. The Trinity League will be a barn burner, but outside of that bubble, public school programs like Mission Viejo and Long Beach Poly are ready to prove that they belong in the conversation.

Florida: The State Of Speed and Titles

In Florida, the football speed is ridiculously insane. Programs like IMG Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Miami Central headline the preseason conversation, but rising challengers such as Lakeland and Chaminade-Madonna could bash the party to pieces. Anticipate fireworks when South Florida powerhouses collide, and don’t be surprised if numerous Sunshine State teams fill the national ranking banners by season’s end.

Texas: The Big State Gets Even Bigger

Everything is big in Texas, especially on Friday nights. Duncanville, North Shore, and Westlake are early choices, but the field is packed with contenders. The 6A division will be a war zone, while smaller schools like Refugio and Franklin look to defend their legacies in their divisions. The annual classic of North Shore vs. Duncanville showdown could once again decide the state’s bragging rights, if not the national title. 

Ohio: The Historical Landmark Of Tradition

Ohio football brings the combination of blue-collar tradition and modern offensive firepower. St. Edward and Massillon Washington enter as the teams to beat, but Archbishop Hoban and Cincinnati Elder could challenge for the throne. The storied Massillon vs. McKinley rivalry will bring the entire state to a standstill with all eyes on this game, demonstrating that in Ohio, football history is still being written every Friday night. 

Across these five states, the heartbeat of high school football is the same. The 2025 season will be loaded with underdog runs, breakout stars, and moments that will be talked about for ages to come. So purchase your tickets, and get ready because the Friday lights are about to come on, and history is about to begin.

As AAU basketball strengthens in the recruiting world, are AAU coaches shaping or influencing players’ high school decisions?

In today’s basketball landscape, the influence of AAU coaches on a player’s growth and even their high school career can’t be overlooked.

For decades, high school basketball was the main stage for young athletes to prove themselves. But as the AAU circuit blew up in popularity, the lines of authority and guidance began to confuse. Now, it’s common for players to turn first to their AAU coach for advice on workouts, exposure, and even which high school program might give them the best shot at recruiting success.

The Rise of AAU Power

AAU coaches often have direct relationships with college recruiters and can provide opportunities to play in front of decision-makers at elite showcases. This exposure is priceless, but it also means players sometimes prioritize AAU schedules, philosophies, and advice over their high school coach’s plans.

In some cases, AAU impact has led to transfers between high schools, shifts in position roles, and even decisions to skip pieces of the high school season to prepare for club events.

Advantages and Challenges

• Benefits:

• More exposure to scouts and recruiters.

• Access to national competition and elite training.

• Networking opportunities in the basketball community.

• Challenges:

• Conflicting messages between high school and AAU coaches.

• Over-scheduling and athlete burnout.

• The risk of prioritizing short-term exposure over long-term development.

Finding the Balance

The most successful athletes often have straightforward communication between their AAU and high school programs. Parents and players who organize to blend both perspectives generally maximize growth while avoiding politics.

The takeaway? The AAU impact is here to stay but understanding how to balance commitment, development, and exposure is the real game-changer.