Coach Ballard Welcomes Former Staff's Standout

Josh James signs out of Gilbert Highland

Josh James is the newest Thunderbird basketball player, and he comes the way of an old friend. Gilbert Highland High School Coach Mark Carlino sends his 6'3" star guard to Mesa and his former cohort, Sam Ballard. Carlino was on Ballard's staff at Camelback High School.

The Hawks were ranked #1 most of this season in Division I 5A and James was a big reason for that ranking.

"Josh is a great young man with an outstanding upbringing. He has a good looking jump shot and has a tremendous desire to better himself, which is definitely what we are looking for," says Coach Ballard.

New Staff Inks Third Recruit This Month

David "Chubby" Henderson, Jr. signs on

Coaches Ballard, Waddell, and Grothaus have had a busy month. They are readying their basketball team for the 2008 fall season, and the third piece is now in place.

David "Chubby" Henderson, Jr, a 6'0" point guard out of Hamilton High School in Chandler is the newest T'Bird. Chubby's coach Kevin Hartwig utilized his point guard's prowess, along with the rest of the Hamilton Huskies, to advance to the 5-A state semi-finals this year.

"We have seen Chubby play several times and have always been impressed with his intelligence and demeanor. He quarterbacked a great team this season," says Coach Ballard.

Recruits Pouring In To Mesa Basketball Program

Coach signs Alex Rudd out of Mesquite High School

Coach Sam Ballard and Assistant Lane Waddell have added another piece to the Mesa basketball puzzle. His name is Alex Rudd.

Rudd, a 6'4" guard from Mesaquite High School is highly touted and was coached by Tom Saltzstein for four years.

"Alex is a very athletic and intelligent player. He comes highly recommended from a coach we respect," says Ballard.

Coach Ballard On The Recruiting Trail Already

Arcadia senior commits to T-Birds

New basketball head coach Sam Ballard is wasting no time hitting the recruiting trail. Ballard inked 6'8" Arcadia senior Kendrick Kipikas to play for the Thunderbirds this coming fall.

Arcadia Head Coach Scott Lovely and assistant coach Mike Grothaus are seen in the picture along with Kipikas and Coach Ballard.

Sam Ballard Named New Men's Coach

Ten seasons at Mountain Pointe, ready for MCC

Sam Ballard has been named new head basketball coach for the Mesa Thunderbirds men's team. Ballard replaces John Mulhern, who was interim coach and not an applicant for the full-time position.
Mulhern has been acting Athletic Director for the past year in addition to coaching the men's team to a strong 18-9 record this past year. Mulhern, assistants Joe Ward, Manny Canales, Ryan Cuff, and Michael Schwertley took Mesa within two points of the ACCAC title game.
Ballard spent the last ten years coaching at Mountain Pointe boy's basketball team and won 66 percent of his contests there (171-90). Prior to coaching at Mountain Pointe, Ballard coached at Camelback High School and Yavapai College. A protege of Tom Bennett and Royce Youree, Ballard is expected to take a program on the rise and turn it into a perennial contender in the ACCAC.

Head Coaching Records

Playoffs Here, T'Birds Ready

16-6 in the ACACC, T'Birds ready for Cochise

Head Coach John Mulhern will lead his staff and squad into the team's first home playoff game in eight years on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 against Cochise at 7:30 p.m. The team finished the regular season at 18-7 overall and 16-6 in the ACCAC, tied for third place. A win would send the men to Thatcher and a showdown with second-place Eastern AZ. on Thursday, March 6 for a chance to travel to AZ Western for the ACCAC title game.
The team, comprised of sophomores Taylor Janowicz, David Jackson, Andre Simmons, John Pena, Jessie Childs, Jamie Crim, and Rodney Brown, and freshmen Marcos Perkins, Maurice Jackson, Tyler Molesworth, Blair Nelson, Kenny Shaw, and Jonas Pollard have jelled as a unit and avenged a one-point, controversial loss to South Mountain earlier in the season on Friday night. The T'Birds turned the tables and got a one-point win for themselves, 72-71, in one of the most exciting games in the Theo Heap Gym in years.
Mulhern's staff of Joe Ward, Ryan Cuff, and Michael Schwertley have been pivotal in the team's success and are hopeful the team can bring home an ACCAC championship.

T'Birds To Host First Playoff Game In Eight Years

Win over #11 team in country, AZ Western, assures home matchup

Head Coach John Mulhern has plenty of reasons to smile about his first campaign at the helm of Mesa basketball. His team is going to host a playoff game- the school's first since 2000.
In beating Arizona Western on Saturday night, February 23, the Thunderbirds clinched a home playoff game and sit in third place in the ACCAC. They have a chance in catching Eastern Arizona for second place.
Arizona Western had been 17-1 in the conference prior to Mesa coming into town. Mesa downed the nationally-ranked club 66-59.
"We played as good as you can play- with composure. We also hit some huge free throws down the stretch. It was a great game for Mesa basketball," said Mulhern.
Rodney Brown led the charge with 16 points. John Pena added 14 and Jessie Childs hit for 13.
Mesa has two regular season games remaining against Cochise on Tuesday, February 26 and at home on Friday, February 29 against South Mountain.
At 15-5 in the ACCAC and 17-6 overall, the Thunderbirds know the championship of the ACCAC goes through Arizona Western.
"It was huge beating the #11 team in the country in their own back yard. If we can get here again in a couple weeks, they'll remember us and I think that gives us an advantage," said Mulhern.
Clearly the psychological advantage of beating the conference leaders in their home gym boosts the confidence of Mesa. If Mesa can get the second spot in the ACCAC, they will only have to win one playoff game before going to Arizona Western for the ACCAC crown.
Nationals begin on March 18 in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Mesa Now 15-6 With Victory Over Central AZ

T'Birds pull away in 93-77 win, 13-5 in the ACCAC

Looking to rebound after a disappointing loss to Glendale last week, the T'Birds resembled a team that has a firm grasp on 4th place in the ACCAC and looking to move up.

With Regionals quickly approaching and the National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. not far beyond that, the T'Birds are positioning themselves for a deep run in the playoffs.

Trailing only South Mountain at 14-4, Eastern Arizona at 14-4, and the #11 team in the country Arizona Western at 17-1, Mesa still has games remaining against AZ Western and South Moutain. The South Mountain game on February 29 in Mesa may determine the third place team in the ACCAC.

Head Coach John Mulhern and his staff now prepare for Phoenix College on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Coach Schwertley instructs Crim

T'Birds Throttle Pima, 115-63

Mesa too much for Aztecs, now 12-5 overall

Mesa hosted Pima Satruday night and the game was over rather quickly. Winning by its largest margin of the year, 52 points, Mesa dominated the entire way.

Balanced offense and stout defense was the recipe for this one. Jamie Crim came through with his strongest performance thus far, scoring 11 and pulling down eight boards.

John Pena continued his stellar offensive season, scoring 16. Maurice Jackson added 18 points and David Jackson scored 17 to go along with eight rebounds.

Now 12-5 on the year, Mesa travels to Chandler-Gilbert for a huge ACCAC matchup Wednesday night, February 6 at 7:30 p.m.

T'Birds Now 11-5 On Year With Big Win Over Eastern Arizona

Mesa dominates #2 team in the ACCAC, 61-44

Eastern beat Mesa earlier in the year 89-77 in Thatcher. This time, it was in Mesa- and it was all Mesa.

The T'Birds dominated the entire game, leading by as many as 25 and cruised to their ninth victory in the ACCAC against only four defeats. In doing so, the T'Birds pulled within one game of Eastern for second place in the conference.

David Jackson led all scorers with 19 points on four of six from beyond the arc. Jessie Childs was the only other player in double-figures with ten points and seven boards.

Mesa dominated the glass by the margin of 41-30 and looked the faster team all night.

Next up for the Thunderbirds is Pima on Saturday, February 2. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Jessie Childs Elevates (photo by Philip Pollard)

Mesa Improves To 10-3 With Win In MLK Classic

T'Birds hold off Cochise 94-84

The Mesa men's basketball team is making a serious run at the ACCAC title and improved to 10-3 overall with a decisive 94-84 win over Cochise in the Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Classic held at Mesa on Saturday, January 19.
The Boston Celtics have their Big 3, and Mesa is establishing their version. The trio of Jessie Childs, David Jackson, and John Pena combined for 64 points. Childs had 24 to go along with five rebounds and six assists. Jackson had 18 points and 12 boards, to notch another double-double. Pena finished with 22 points and four assists.
"Another player had a coming out party tonight as well," said Assistant Coach Manny Canales.
Taylor Janowicz hit for 12 points and 11 rebounds, notching his first double-double of the year.
Mesa's next two games are on the road against Scottsdale and South Mountain, Wednesday the 23rd and Saturday the 26th. Both games tip at 7:30 p.m.
The Mesa women played Cochise earlier in the evening and lost 91-60.

Hoopsters Run To 8-2 With Win Over Vaqueros

Mesa storms out of halftime gates to pull away 89-72

Coach Ward really gets into his team's performances- so much in fact, Coach Mulhern simply lends moral support, throws in some wise words of roundball wisdom, then takes his seat at the far left of the bench, next to the scorer's table.
Speaking of that scorer's table, it was being lit up again and again by the Mesa Thunderbirds. After last night, the team should now be pressing for votes in the national polls, with their latest victory over the Central Arizona Vaqueros, 89-72. (more)

The team is really starting to find themselves and mesh as a unit. It was never more evident than in the Theo Heap Gym last night. Marred in a tight battle at the half, Mesa sharpshooter John Pena, who lead Mesa with 25 points, and Shawn-Marionesque David Jackson, propelled the T'Birds past a gritty CAC squad. Jackson's line looked like this- 17 points, 11 boards, two blocks, and a bevy of shot-changing defensive plays that kept CAC off kilter all evening.
Assistant Coach Michael Schwertley offered his defensive prowess throughout the game to his big men. He should know about defense being the son of former NBA All-Pro "Truck" Robinson. Along with Assistant Coach Ryan Cuff's acute attention to detail regarding player fouls and stats, this T'Bird bunch is a well-oiled machine looking to do some damage in the ACCAC and beyond in 2008. (more)

Coming off his Player of the Week nomination, Jessie Childs played a stellar game with 15 points, five assists, and four steals. What doesn't show up in the box score is his tremendous hustle.
Prior to the game, Coach Cuff had challenged his biggest man, 7-footer Taylor Janowicz, to snag 10 rips for the game.
"I challenged Taylor to go out there and get ten tonight," said Cuff.
Taylor's line? Nine points, 10 boards, three assists.
The players are listening to these coaches and the results are plain as day.
Jonas Pollard and Tyler Molesworth played key minutes for the T'Birds and combined for 11 points off the bench, a category Mesa won 17-12. Mesa also shot 50% from the floor for the game and outrebounded CAC 35-30.
Next for the T'Birds is Phoenix College, on the road, Saturday night, January 12 at 5:30 p.m.

T'Birds Net Biggest Win of Season in Overtime Stunner

Knock off Texas powerhouse Howard Hawks 99-92

Jessie Childs led the way to an improbable victory over a national junior college force in the Howard Hawks, 99-92 in overtime. Childs led all scorers with 32 points on 9 of 16 from the floor. He was also perfect from the free throw line in the second half, going 11 of 11.

John Pena's 21 and David Jackson's 22 and ten rebounds rounded out the strong offensive balance. Tyler Molesworth and Kennard Shaw also made huge impacts on a game that lifts Mesa into the national spotlight.

At 7-1, the Thunderbirds are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Head Coach John Mulhern's squad shot 77% from the charity stripe, combined with Coach Joe Ward's instrumental game plan proved to be the difference as Mesa continued to force the issue and get to the free throw line in the second half. The T'Birds also shot a stellar 52% from the field and won the fast break battle 36 to 25, in a testament to the team's speed.

Mesa has no time to rest as the 4th-ranked South Plains Texans visit the friendly confines Friday night January 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Mesa Outlasts Gauchos in Thriller, Now 6-1 Overall

79-77 win makes T'Birds 5-1 in ACCAC

Defense and free throw shooting was the difference as Mesa continued their impressive start to the 2007-08 season - exceptional free throw shooting to be exact.

Mesa was perfect from the free throw line, 14 of 14, and combined with some stellar defense down the stretch, was able to hold off Glendale on Saturday night, December 15.

"The biggest thing I like about these kids is with their composure. They've responded every time when their backs have been against the wall," said Head Coach John Mulhern.

Led in scoring by sophomore forward David Jackson's 21 and sophomore guard John Pena's 17, the T'Birds hold onto to third place in the ACCAC, trailing only Eastern Arizona and Arizona Western. Both those teams are unbeaten in the conference.

Sophomore guard Jessie Childs chipped in 11 points and sophomore guard Rodney Brown's 10 rounded out some balanced offense as Mesa enjoyed four scorers in double-figures.

Mesa has over two weeks to prepare for Howard Community College on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at home at 7:30 p.m.

Men Now 2-0 With Opening Conference Home Win Over Scottsdale

Burn Artichokes 77-62

Head Coach John Mulhern is pleased with the way his team opened up ACCAC play Wednesday night. He should be as his T'Birds roughed up the Artichokes 77-62.

Sophomore guard Jessie Childs led all scorers with 21 points. He also had four rebounds and six assists. Another sophomore guard, John Pena, hit for 20 to go along with five rips.

"We really smothered them on defense and came out with some great intensity to open conference play," said assistant coach Manny Canales.

The T'Birds forced 24 big turnovers and were 24 of 29 from the charity stripe.
Leading 42-24 at the half, the game was, for the most part, over.

"We should have won by 20 but they got some late garbage points," said Canales.

The T'Birds travel to Eastern Arizona Saturday night, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and will try to extend their winning streak to three.

Men Too Much For Grand Canyon JV In Opening Game

Lopsided 105-42 win has Mesa off and running

Head Coach John Mulhern knew his team should beat Grand Canyon JV. What he didn't know was how handily the beating would be.

"I was pretty confident we'd get it done, but the team looks pretty solid. It was encouraging," said Mulhern.

John Pena led the T'Birds with 18 points, six assists, and one rebound. Jamie Crim led the glass committee, snagging ten boards. Jessie Childs had a well-rounded game as well, scoring ten, grabbing nine boards, and dishing out six dimes.

"Everyone played well. They were all unselfish and that's important," said Assistant Coach Manny Canales.

Next up for the T'Birds are the Scottsdale Artichokes, Wednesday, November 28, 7:30 p.m. at Mesa.

2007-2008 Season Outlook

The 2006-07 Thunderbirds finished 14-8 in the ACCAC and 17-11 overall. Mesa beat out Yavapai for fourth place among Division 1 schools in the Conference.

This year’s team must replace two all-conference performers. Adam McCoy signed with the University of North Texas.  Gabe Freeman now plays professionally in Mexico. 

The Thunderbirds have a mix of returning sophomores and freshmen who seek to win the ACCAC crown. John Pena returns for his sophomore season after a stellar freshman season. Pena, a sharp-shooting guard, led the team and entire league in steals with 3.8 per game. Pena was also second on the team with a 13.1 PPG average, good for 19th in the ACCAC. His 46-percent efficiency from the 3-point arc also led the squad, and ranked 2nd in the ACCAC. Sophomore guards Jesse Childs and Rodney Brown also return for their second seasons. Both bring savvy ball-handling and leadership skills.

The Thunderbirds will count on David Jackson, a 6’8” sophomore transfer from the University of Idaho, to bring his experience, skill, and toughness to the team.  Jackson, a highly sought player out of Rincon High School in Tucson, averaged 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Vandals last year.

The Thunderbirds will also count on some quality freshman to help carry the load, including Maurice Jackson.  Jackson, a 6’3 guard from Gilbert, Arizona, will be counted on to help run the high-octane offense.

The Thunderbirds look forward to the upcoming season.The coaching staff believes there is a nice mix of talent and experience to help the team compete for the ACCAC championship.

John Mulhern was named Interim Head Coach for the 2007-2008 as Alton Lister has left his post to work for the Atlanta Hawks, according to team sources. An in-depth look into the squad as competition nears.

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