2008 IN REVIEW -- The Faces: Rising Stars

  De'Andre Currie, Davon Jones - MP football

They were only together for four games of the 10-game football season, but De'Andre Currie and Davon Jones could Mountain Pointe a potent running game as seniors next season. 

Playing on a 2-8 Pride team last season Currie ran for 812 yards and seven touchdowns while Jones ran for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Jones also caught 19 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Anders Battle - DV football

The latest in the long line of Battle brothers to come through the hall and football and track programs at Desert Vista, Anders Battle will be the Thunder's best offensive weapon in 2009.

Davonte Neal - track and field; Cesar Chavez football

Growing up in the vicinity of Mountain Pointe High School, Davonte Neal was barely 5 years old when Jim Rattay led Desert Vista to its only state football championship. A decade later, Rattay is back coaching big-school football at Laveen Cesar Chavez, and Neal, a national track and field champion, is his freshman star, catching 44 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns. Neal has already been offered by ASU, and is on the radar of nearly every big-time college football coach.

Cody Sokol, Ryne Rezac - DV football

The dynamic tandem of Cody Sokol, a quarterback, and Ryne Rezac, a wideout, came up through Desert Vista football's system together, and it showed in 2008. One always knows what the other is thinking and together, they'll continue to tear up defenses in 2009.

Danielle Muniz - MP softball

She was Mountain Pointe softball's best hitter, best pitcher and best fielder in 2008. And she was only a junior. Danielle Muniz will be back in 2009 for the Pride, and look for her to lead them back to the state tournament.

Ryan Box, Jacob Brugman - DV baseball

With a chance to get acclimated and learn the Desert Vista baseball system after moving here from California, Ryan Box should be able to help the Thunder on the mound and at the plate this spring. Box batted .333 and had a 3.60 Earned Run Average on the mound.

Brugman, a junior, will be going into his third season with the Thunder after batting and a team-high .461 and had a 3-1 season on the mound. 

Betsi Metter - DV volleyball

Before the season, Desert Vista coach Molly West said that along with senior Anna Gott, junior Betsi Metter would have to have broad shoulders. She did, helping to guide DV to the state championship match as she averaged 3.6 kills and 5.6 digs per game.

Andrew Gott - DV volleyball

The younger brother of NAU-bound Anna Gott, a senior on the Desert Vista girls volleyball team, Andrew Gott, only a freshman, helped pace the school's boys volleyball team all year long. In 2009, he could be the best player on the court all year.

Darian Spivey - MP golf

As a freshman Mountain Pointe golfer Darian Spivey was usually high on the tournament leader board and shot a respectable 86-82-168 in the state 5A-I girl tournament at the Aguila golf course in Laveen where the Pride finished fifth after failing to qualify for the championship the past five years.

Ryan Klem, Jake Waldren, Josh Alexander - MP Baseball

Mountain Pointe baseball made it to the state semifinals in 2008. Two key cogs in that group - Ryan Klem and Jake Waldren - will be back for another run. They'll be joined by junior Josh Alexander, who transferred from Basha and recently won the team's home run derby among current players.

Shaylah Simpson - DV track and field

Desert Vista pole vaulter Shaylah Simpson had a disappointing state meet in 2008 - and still finished in fourth place while clearing 11-feet, 6-inches. That alone illustrates not only her talent, but also her determination. You can bet she'll be among the top two at the 2009 state meet.

Andrew Kellogg - DV cross country

Andrew Kellogg finished third at the Class 5A-I state meet in leading Desert Vista to the state title. Also a threat during the track season, expect to hear a lot about this junior next year.