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After clinching the Big 12 Conference regular season title outright with a win over Iowa State on Monday night, Tommy Lloyd gave his team a few days off from practice. The break was well earned, but when the team returned they didn’t look like the group that had just romped through the Big 12.
Arizona
Arizona Legislative District 1 candidates debate water – Sedona Red Rock News
The Citizens Water Advocacy Group, a nonprofit advocating for water conservation, held its 20th annual online forum for the Arizona Legislative District 1 candidates on Saturday, Oct. 5.
“CWAG is nonpartisan, but all water issues are political,” CWAG board member and forum moderator Gary Beverly said. “There’s a difference between political and nonpartisan. CWAG does not endorse candidates. The forum’s purpose is to insert water issues into the political and electoral dialog and to educate voters and candidates about water issues.”
The forum’s participants were Democratic State Senate candidate Mike Fogel and three State House candidates, Republican incumbent Selina Bliss and Democrats Jay Ruby and Marcia Smith. Republican State Senate candidate Mark Finchem planned to attend but withdrew due to a conflict the day before the forum, while Bliss noted that Republican incumbent Rep. Quang Nguyen was unable to attend due to a board meeting of the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association.
Nguyen also announced on Monday, Oct. 7, that he was stepping down as president of that association.
Finchem defeated incumbent Ken Bennett in the Republican primary by 26,449 votes to 18,217.
Water Deficit
“The theme of the forum is how [the] LD-1 senator and representatives can help address our growing groundwater deficit and a declining Verde River,” Beverly said. “The Verde River is in trouble right now, folks, although there’s no immediate crisis to municipal water supplies. Some county residents are now struggling with failing wells. However, there is a real long-term threat to our water supply, the Verde River, wildlife and recreation [which] are important components of our quality of life.”
A CWAG informational packet stated that increasing water demands in the Prescott Active Management Area are of concern to CWAG because the region is moving further from a balance between groundwater recharge and withdrawal. In 2019, the annual overdraft exceeded 21,000 acre-feet, and cumulative overdrafts now surpass 600,000 acre feet, all of which is water not entering the Verde River.
“But also [I] want to point out that the baseflow is now down to 13 cubic feet per second,” Beverly said in a previous presentation. “In 1978 it was 20, now it’s 13. This is a matter of deep concern.”
One of the forum’s discussions explored candidates’ positions on the Big Chino Pipeline project proposed by the town of Prescott Valley and the city of Prescott to move up to 3.9 billion gallons of water, or 18,000 acre-feet, per year from the Verde River watershed and Big Chino Aquifer to the Prescott area. The base flow of the upper Verde is about 10,000 acre-feet per year.
“The legislature has authorized more than enough groundwater to dry up the river and they did not consider the extraordinary value of the Verde River,“ Beverly asked the candidates. “What are your concerns about further degrading or drying the Upper Verde?”
“Over-pumping groundwater exists as a potential existential threat to the Verde River,” Ruby said. “We need to maintain, and, if possible, increase the base flow of the Verde River. We need to regard the Big Chino Aquifer as part of the subflow of the river, so that the source point can be safeguarded. We should not forget that climate change adds to this threat as it is a driving factor in our area, receiving less snowpack in the winter. Sadly, our current representatives, Bliss and Nguyen, voted to prohibit Arizona from collecting data and information related to limiting the increase of the average global temperature, or producing or adopting a climate action plan to reduce global temperatures.”
Smith thanked Bliss for her support of the Wild and Scenic River designation for the Verde River and stated that she was optimistic that the designation “will come with additional protections” for the river.
“Unmitigated groundwater exports from the Big Chino Valley will degrade, even dry up, the Upper Verde,” Fogel said. “After all, over 80% of the Verde river’s flow comes from the Big Chino Aquifer. Drawing down the aquifer for municipal purposes at the rate of 18,000 acre-feet per year will eventually dry up the Upper Verde. Generally, the law … disallows exporting water into [active management areas]. Now an exception was made by the legislature, allowing exported water into the Prescott AMA. And then there was a handshake promise to offset the effects of the pipeline pumping by both Prescott and Prescott Valley. The problem is, to date no plan has been made to mitigate the taking.”
Bliss said that CWAG having introduced her to the documentary film “Viva la Verde” by filmmaker Hugh Denno was “some of what called me to run for office as a state legislator.”
Verde River Concerns
Beverly subsequently asked the candidates how they would address their concerns for the Verde River.
“We know that the Verde is being put at risk due to groundwater pumping, particularly from the Big Chino Aquifer, which provides 80% of its base flow,” Smith said. “We also know that landowners have the right to pump out the water below their property without limit outside an AMA, as long as it is for a beneficial use of irrigation. So I just don’t see how we can protect the Verde River unless we address the unlimited pumping of groundwater in rural areas.”
The Democratic candidates made monitoring groundwater usage a component of their platforms.
“At present the [Arizona Department of Water Resources] lacks data on groundwater pumping in 87% of the state,” Beverly said to the candidates. “A huge gap in critical waterdemand information. You can’t manage what you don’t measure. For the last several legislative sessions, a worthy bill would have required wells outside of AMAs to report pumping over 10 acre-feet per year. The bill was denied committee hearings by two rural committee chairs, Gail Griffin [RDistrict 14] and Sine Kerr [R-District 13], who were apparently responding to the objections of farmers who fear a ‘slippery slope’ to regulation.”
“I’m hearing there’s not currently an appetite for supporting additional metering on the large wells,” Bliss said. “Our local farmers and ranchers have made it clear they would not support this. And as to domestic wells … we brought this up in past [CWAG] forums. They’re already limited at 35 gallons per minute, and we can’t force the metering of domestic wells if we say we respect private property rights.”
Instead, Bliss stated, she would instead support an appropriation to construct index wells in the area.
“Politicians and regulators in Phoenix like to say they just want more data so they can get a better understanding of the aquifer,” Bliss said. “ I’m thinking individual well data is not needed to understand basin hydrology if the goal of getting the data is to monitor overall aquifer health; this can be accomplished through index wells … What is an index well? The definition is to provide a consistent water level history for selected wells.”
“ADWR is apparently unaware that about 500 family wells on the edges of the Little Chino Aquifer in the PrAMA are now failing, an early symptom of excessive groundwater pumping,” CWAG wrote in an April opinion piece in a Prescott publication.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The average price of regular gasoline in Arizona surged more than 30 cents in just a few days, according to AAA, leaving the state’s average at around $3.84 per gallon as of Sunday. The national average stands at $3.45.
Arizona is now one of the most expensive states in the country to fill up, topping the national average by nearly 40 cents.
AAA said the war in Iran is affecting crude oil prices, which are now trading at more than $100 per barrel. Arizona’s Family also reported a slowdown in a major ship channel in the Middle East, adding further pressure to the market.
A seasonal factor is also contributing to the spike. The transition to summer-blend gasoline, which is required in spring, is driving prices higher as well.
Drivers at a central Phoenix gas station said they were caught off guard by the rapid increase.
“I was appalled,” one driver said.
“It was ridiculous,” said another.
“That is a lot, especially in such a short period of time,” said Andrea Webb.
The gas station attendant said some drivers are limiting how much they spend per fill-up, putting in only $10 to $20 at a time. Others said they are actively searching for the lowest posted price.
“I feel like I’m always on the hunt for whatever is the cheapest gas,” said Bailey Mitchell. “This was $4.09 versus $4.15, so I’ll take it.”
Not all drivers said they are cutting back.
“I’m gonna bite the bullet. I need gas in my car. I’ll fill it up,” said Webb.
ASU professor of supply chain management, Hitendra Chaturvedi, said oil prices could approach $130 per barrel if the war in Iran continues. That scenario could push Arizona gas prices close to $6 per gallon, the professor said. No timeline was given.
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Several of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ standout young hitters in spring training are heading back to minor league camp, a list that includes outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt and infielders Jose Fernandez and Tommy Troy.
The Diamondbacks announced a series of roster moves on Sunday to shrink the major league camp roster to 47 players with Opening Day less than three weeks away on March 26.
Arizona will have to get down to 26 players by then, and Sunday’s announcement provides more clarity of what the team will look like at Dodger Stadium.
Optioned to Triple-A Reno:
- LHP Mitch Bratt
- RHP Juan Burgos
- LHP Kohl Drake
- RHP Grant Holman
- INF Jose Fernandez
Reassigned to minor league camp:
- RHP Gerardo Carrillo
- RHP Hayden Durke
- RHP Junior Fernandez
- LHP Spencer Giesting
- RHP Taylor Rashi
- INF LuJames Groover
- INF Cristofer Torin
- INF Tommy Troy
- OF A.J. Vukovich
- OF Ryan Waldschmidt
That does not mean these players are done playing in Cactus League games, they will continue getting opportunities to compete ahead of the minor league season. Waldschmidt, Troy and Groover will start Sunday’s game, for instance.
There had been plenty of speculation that Waldschmidt, Arizona’s top prospect could start the year in the major leagues based on his advanced approach at the plate, dominant second half last season in Double-A and big moments he’s had this spring, including a three-hit game and several balls smoked over 100 mph off the bat.
Waldschmidt, 23, has not played in Triple-A, and while it is not unheard of to make the jump from Double-A to the major leagues, that is the less common route than going through all the steps of the minor league ladder. Waldschmidt has three doubles, a home run and nine strikeouts in 25 at-bats this spring.
Jose Fernandez, 22, is another player who has yet to play for Triple-A Reno but turned heads this spring.
He was under the radar entering camp, not ranked highly on many national prospect lists like Waldschmidt, but he has struck the baseball hard consistently this spring and can play multiple infield positions. He leads the D-backs with three home runs this spring.
Troy, 24, has been a hits machine this spring at 12-for-24 after getting his feet wet in Triple-A last season.
That potential Reno Aces lineup, which should include Groover and Vukovich, is primed to be one to watch this spring with players who are knocking at the major league door.
Bratt and Drake have had their ups and downs this spring but will represent Arizona’s starting pitching depth entering the season after they came over at the trade deadline from Texas for Merrill Kelly.
Arizona’s list of non-roster invitees has dwindled with notable remaining names including reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, first baseman Luken Baker and infielder Ildemaro Vargas.
“It’s been a long season. Thursday, we came back and practiced, I didn’t even recognize the team,” Lloyd said after Arizona’s 89-79 win over Colorado. “That’s to be expected.”
Arizona showed signs of a conference championship hangover on Saturday night, falling behind by 11 points to the Buffaloes in the first half. The Wildcats closed the half on a run, and eventually put themselves in position for a program-record 29th regular season win.
Whether it was the altitude, the extended break from practice, or the 9 p.m. start time, Arizona didn’t quite like right … until it did.
”You could probably try to find lots of reasons,“ Lloyd said. ”But I know this: human nature is tough to beat. Human nature is almost undefeated, So a lot of these seasons is just figuring out how to endure the ups and downs, and the emotions that go with the season.“
Our recap of the game can be found here. Below is what Lloyd said postgame.
Lloyd on Arizona overcoming a sluggish start: “I knew it was going to be a tough game down here. As you guys know, I have a lot of respect for Tad and their coaching staff and the program. They play spirited. It was a great test for our guys. I had been bouncing around a few plans to change our rotation, play more guys, and then when I saw the way we came out, a little bit flat, not great energy, I thought it was more important that we figured out how to dig back in the game and be able to draw on that rather than then maybe play some other guys. We’ve rode hard with these eight guys. They’re really good players. I think our energy is good right now, once we got to got it figured out in that game, we were pretty good. But I think it’s important for us to understand, as you head into the postseason that, you’re going to have games like that where you’re playing against a team that’s playing their ass off and playing really good, and maybe your energy’s not quite where you want it to be, but you got to be able to dig deep and respond. I was really proud of our guys’ effort. Hopefully this was a lesson learned, you know, because obviously it’d be great if we could continue to play for a long time.”
On the significance of the team’s late first half run: “Well, obviously it’s a massive benefit getting closer. Then basically you get in a neck in neck game right away, and then we can kind of set up our next run, is what you’re hoping. We were down 11, I think we just told our guys, like, ‘Hey, it’s one of these situations. Let’s just climb our way back in this game, possession by possession. See if we cut into this lead a little bit and put ourselves in and position in the second half to make it a ball game.‘ I think that’s a great skill to learn how to do, to kind of figure out how to not let the let the game get away from you too early. And I thought our guys did a great job with a nice little run there towards the end of the first half.”
On what may have contributed to Arizona’s first half play: “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask our guys. I don’t know, altitude. I know we played obviously Monday night against Iowa State. And you know, there’s a lot of emotions in the game, and a lot of pats on the back so to speak. And then we took Tuesday off. We took Wednesday off. It’s been a long season. Thursday, we came back and practiced, I didn’t even recognize the team. That’s to be expected. And then Friday we were a little bit better. I thought we had a good practice. I was hoping we’d come out and play really well from the start today, but we didn’t. And the ability to figure it out, it’s really important. And I thought the guys really showed some resolve, and I’m proud of them.”
On the fan support in Boulder: “Oh for sure. Our fans are a force. Our fans are the backbone of our program. Arizona’s had a long, strong basketball tradition way before I was even born. So we wanted to tap into that, and we love coming on the road and hearing the U of A chants and all of our fans out there. It just reminds us how special it is for us to be representing University of Arizona basketball.”
On facing Colorado’s backcourt: “Two good players. I felt like we weren’t on it defensively for long stretches in the game today. And let’s give Colorado a lot of credit on offense, I mean they’re a good offensive team. Their offensive numbers, they show that. Those two guards are good, and those guys were important parts of the scout, but their bigs also hit a few jump shots that maybe you’re not you’re not counting on. It was kind of a collective effort by them. I thought we made a lot of defensive mistakes, and I don’t want to take any credit away from Colorado, but we got to be a little more disciplined in some situations with our coverages and our recoveries and things of that nature. We’ve been a really, really good defensive team at times this season. We’re at our best defensively when we’re limiting our mistakes.”
On facing Isaiah Johnson: “He’s a really good player. Obviously the most I’ve ever watched him was this week, and obviously on the court today. I mean, everything he did impressed me. He’s got a great handle, he’s a lefty, and he knows how to get right, to get back left, consistently. And then he’s got a knack for getting fouled, which is a great skill to have.”
On Brayden Burries and Koa Peat’s performances: “I thought Brayden obviously didn’t have a good start to the game. I thought I looked down there. and I don’t know what he was like 1-6 or something like that. We just don’t really have to challenge him. He’s a competitor, and he kind of figured it out on his own and got himself going a little bit. I didn’t realize he had 31 points, but for him to do that was great. And then obviously let’s mention Koa. Koa goes 12 for 15, 25 points. I think he had about 19 in the first half. When your team’s not playing good, it’s great to have a guy like that step up and kind of keep your team in the game. Koa did a great job of that in the first half.”
On what spurred Peat’s 19-point first half: “I think Koa is just a really good basketball player. I think he got to his spots, he made a few shots, he finished with force at the rim. He’s just a really good player. I don’t think it was anything in particular, but he got a good rhythm going and he had a great game.”
On Bangot Dak’s play: “His length impacts the game around the rim, and I think he made those three (field goals), I didn’t realize he was only 3-8, but he made them all in a row, and in the second half, we were trying to kind of pull away a little bit, and he kept them in the game. Just a good player. He’s just a good player and it has been fun to watch him, kind of from afar, develop. He’s obviously gotten better over the course of three years. But I got a lot of respect for him.”
On playing a late Saturday night game and whether that contributed to the slow start: “You could probably try to find lots of reasons. But I know this: human nature is tough to beat. Human nature is almost undefeated, So a lot of these seasons is just figuring out how to endure the ups and downs, and the emotions that go with the season. The fatigue that comes with the season. I can’t give you like one thing in particular. But again, in closing, I want to give a lot of credit to Colorado. I thought they came out with great energy, and they kind of got us on our heels a little bit. And then I want to give our guys credit for being able to respond to an adverse situation and a tough road environment, just a tough situation.”
On the adjustment of playing later in the day: “It is what it is. I love Saturday afternoon games and you know that. We got a Saturday night game, you know? And you know what? I do know this, it’s great to be on national TV a lot. And if you want to be on national TV a lot, you’re going to have, especially on the West Coast, you’re going to get some of these hops, some of these 9 pm games. So no complaints for me. Just want to get on the bus, get on the plane, get home and get rested up.”
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