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high school sports

Chandler district teams shine under national spotlight

Basha’s season-opening win over Chandler High broadcast on ESPN

Basha junior receiver Makai Nelson hauls in a touchdown pass from teammate Jake Rogers at the end of the first half of the Bears’ much-anticipated, nationally televised season opener against Chandler High.

Basha junior receiver Makai Nelson hauls in a touchdown pass from teammate Jake Rogers at the end of the first half of the Bears’ much-anticipated, nationally televised season opener against Chandler High.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Chandler High defensive back Austin Reese makes a second-quarter interception in front of Basha receiver Jaden Baldwin on Aug. 29. While Reese got the better of this matchup of seniors, Baldwin’s 12 receptions helped his Bears win the nationally televised game, 37-26.

Chandler High defensive back Austin Reese makes a second-quarter interception in front of Basha receiver Jaden Baldwin on Aug. 29. While Reese got the better of this matchup of seniors, Baldwin’s 12 receptions helped his Bears win the nationally televised game, 37-26.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Basha defensive back Geremiah Grimes tries to tackle fellow senior Jai Jones of Chandler High is the two teams’ much-anticipated Aug. 29 season opener.

Basha defensive back Geremiah Grimes tries to tackle fellow senior Jai Jones of Chandler High is the two teams’ much-anticipated Aug. 29 season opener.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Basha senior quarterback Jake Rogers looks to throw a pass in the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Basha senior quarterback Jake Rogers looks to throw a pass in the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Basha High School’s pom squad was among the many Bears and Chandler High groups to be on national TV when ESPN broadcast the Aug. 29 game between the two schools.

Basha High School’s pom squad was among the many Bears and Chandler High groups to be on national TV when ESPN broadcast the Aug. 29 game between the two schools.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Sound staff were everywhere at Basha High School’s Jim Wall Stadium Aug. 29 as ESPN broadcast the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Sound staff were everywhere at Basha High School’s Jim Wall Stadium Aug. 29 as ESPN broadcast the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Production staff and equipment were everywhere at Basha High School’s Jim Wall Stadium Aug. 29 as ESPN broadcast the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Production staff and equipment were everywhere at Basha High School’s Jim Wall Stadium Aug. 29 as ESPN broadcast the Bears’ much-anticipated season opener against Chandler High.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Preview programs, discussions and hype for the Aug. 29 Chandler at Basha football showdown started weeks, if not months ahead of the season opener for both teams.

Not only was the battle of Chandler Unified District crosstown rivals a rematch of last year’s Open Division Championship game, but it was between nationally-ranked teams and was broadcast live on national television by ESPN.

And while outcomes for such a special event game can be measured in ways that aren’t necessarily a win or a loss, the outcome on the scoreboard at Jim Wall Stadium was the same in the end as it was when the Wolves and Bears met about nine months earlier.

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