Arizona
Arizona women’s basketball adds transfer center Nora Francois, announces Julie Hairgrove as assistant coach
The news keeps coming for Arizona women’s basketball. New head coach Becky Burke got a late start compared to most of her competitors around the country, but she’s making up for lost time. Arizona picked up its second public commitment from a post player and officially announced the hiring of former Wildcat Julie Hairgrove as an assistant coach on Friday.
The second commit of the day came from former New Orleans center Nora Francois. The 6-foot-2 post will be playing her fifth season. She spent her freshman season at North Iowa Area Community College, making her eligible for the NCAA waiver that allows former junior college, NAIA, DII, and DIII players to compete next season.
Francois was a double-digit producer for the Privateers last year. She scored 15 points per game on volume shooting. Her 13.5 field goal attempts per game were in the 96th percentile of DI women’s basketball.
Despite being listed as a center, Francois took 4.2 of those attempts from beyond the arc where she shot 24.8 percent. Her 101 3PA were the most on her team, coming in at almost twice as many as anyone else. She hit 43.3 percent of her 2-point shots.
The big was effective on the boards last season. She averaged nearly a double-double with 8.2 rebounds per game to go with her 15.0 points. She also contributed 1.5 assists against 2.5 turnovers, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Francois was whistled for 3.0 personal fouls per outing, but that only comes to 3.9 per 40 minutes because she was on the floor so much during the 2024-25 season. Her fouls per 40 minutes have dropped each season she spent in Division I.
Francois faced several Power 4 teams during her senior year. She opened the season against Alabama with a 3-for-9 night. She scored 10 points and grabbed nine boards.
Her next game was against TCU. She struggled, fouling out in 11 minutes of play with just two points and two rebounds.
Francois had stronger games against two other Big 12 teams. She pulled off the double-double against Texas Tech with 10 points and 17 rebounds. She went off against Baylor, going 10 for 20 from the field and 4 for 5 from 3. She scored a season high 26 points against the Bears.
Joining the Francois in the news was former Wildcat Hairgrove. Hairgrove’s hiring was made official on Friday. News of her addition to the staff leaked on Thursday, bringing part of Arizona’s past into the new era.
Hairgrove (née Brase) played for former Arizona head coach Joan Bonvicini from 1998-2003. She redshirted her true junior season due to an injury. She was the team captain for two years. The program went to the tournament three times during her time on campus.
After college, Hairgrove coached at Loyola Marymount for two years. The program won the WCC title in 2004.
In 2005, Hairgrove took a job as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Mercury. She became the longest-tenured assistant coach in the WNBA, spending 17 years with the Mercury under five different head coaches. She helped coach Phoenix to all three of its league championships before leaving the organization in 2022.
Hairgrove joins former Buffalo assistant coach James Ewing as two of Burke’s Arizona assistants. The new staff also includes the first general manager in the program’s history. Michelle Marciniak was announced as the new hire for that position on Thursday.
The staff page for Arizona women’s basketball currently lists Burke, director of basketball operations Lauren Flaum, director of recruiting operations Ryan Thorne, and associate athletic trainer Bart Jameson.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely has switched his congressional campaign from the East Valley to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joining a crowded Republican primary in Scottsdale.
The move comes after President Donald Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Fifth Congressional District last month, sending Feely a message to run in a different district.
“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no player is more important than the well-being of the team,” Feely said in a statement released Friday. “In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat.”
Feely joins businessman John Trobough, state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and current Arizona Republican Party leader Gina Swoboda in the GOP primary. Swoboda has already secured Trump’s endorsement.
Political experts believe Feely’s move, following Trump’s advice, could lead to another situation where Trump endorses two candidates in the same race.
The First Congressional District seat opened when Congressman David Schweikert announced his run for governor. Republicans view the district as a must-win seat.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. The district is one of two swing districts in Arizona that could determine which party controls the House.
Trump has previously endorsed multiple candidates in Arizona Republican primaries, including Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the governor’s race.
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The blowout victory not only highlighted Arizona’s depth but also provided several standout individual performances that showed important signs of growth headed towards conference play. Here’s a closer look at the top three Wildcats from the game and how they powered the win.
1. Tanyuel Welch — Team Leader With a Big Night (18 Points)
Guard Tanyuel Welch led all scorers for Arizona with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting a highly efficient performance that helped set the tone early and keep the Wildcats well ahead of Bellarmine throughout. Welch also knocked down 4-of-4 free throws, showing composure at the line, and contributed six rebounds and three assists while playing 24 minutes.
Impressively, she did all of this with just one turnover and one foul, illustrating her control and decision-making in a high-tempo game. Welch’s scoring came at all levels; attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range looks, and finishing in transition and her all-around playmaking and rebounding added yet another layer to a complete offensive night.
2. Noelani Cornfield — Playmaker and Versatile Contributor
Senior point guard Noelani Cornfield had another impactful outing in the win over Bellarmine. Cornfield recorded 15 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed two rebounds, and added five steals in just 25 minutes of action. Her stat line shows how she orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense while also creating havoc defensively.
Cornfield’s ability to distribute the ball was on full display as Arizona finished with 24 assists on 44 made field goals, a testament to their ball movement and unselfish play. Her high assist total helped keep the offense flowing and ensured that multiple Wildcats got open, high-percentage shots throughout the afternoon. Her defensive energy also led to easy transition opportunities, further fueling Arizona’s balanced scoring output.
3. Achol Magot — Efficient Frontcourt Scorer Off the Bench
Center Achol Magot delivered a career-high 10 points off the bench in just 14 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. Her efficient scoring and physical presence inside helped complement Arizona’s guard play and gave the Wildcats consistent production inside the paint. Magot also contributed five rebounds and one assist while battling through foul trouble, showing a strong impact in limited minutes.
Her ability to score efficiently around the basket and contribute on the glass was an important part of Arizona’s depth, showing through. In a game where Arizona had six double-digit scorers, Magot’s contribution sealed her place as one of the night’s top performers.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs leads Republican U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs by double digits in the state’s gubernatorial race, shows a new poll conducted by NextGen Polling, which identifies as “right of center.”
Newsweek reached out to Biggs’ campaign via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
As a pivotal battleground state, Arizona’s political trends can potentially foreshadow national outcomes, with shifting demographics and voter priorities influencing both parties’ strategies.
The results could possibly play a critical role in the broader national landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
What To Know
In the poll, Hobbs captures 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Biggs’ 32 percent, with 7 percent of respondents choosing “other” and 9 percent undecided.
The survey was taken from December 15 to December 17 among 2,725 likely voters, with a 1.9 percent margin of error, according to NextGen’s press release.
The poll also shows that Biggs has 64 percent of the Republican vote while Hobbs carries 90 percent of Democrats’ support. Sixty-two percent of independents back Hobbs while 19 percent favor Biggs.
Against Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, Hobbs has 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Robson’s 30 percent.
What People Are Saying
Gregg Pekau, managing partner at NextGenP, in the poll: “This is a very telling, and honestly shocking, survey that far exceeds anything we’ve seen regarding the 2026 general election for Governor. This should be a wakeup call to Republicans that we must unify and connect with voters beyond our party to win the Governor race in 2026. The good news is that there remains significant time to engage independent voters and rebuild support within the party’s base.”
Biggs, on X earlier this month: “Under Katie Hobbs, our state has seen:
-Job growth plummet
-Energy and gas prices skyrocket
-A blatant disregard for public safety and keeping our border secure
If we want to grow and keep people here, Arizona needs a Governor with a vision, not vetoes.”
Hobbs, on X in October: “Arizona: I’m running for re-election. Your stories of hard work, hope, and determination inspire me to keep moving our state forward. I’m ready to serve you for 4 more years and always put your family first. Let’s get to work.”
What Happens Next
As both parties intensify their field efforts and campaign spending, Arizona is expected to remain at the center of national attention in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Early survey leads may shift as campaigns develop and voters gain more information. Both major parties are expected to closely monitor voter attitudes as Arizona’s political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the elections.
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