FLORENCE -- Unlike most of her track and field teammates, there was no way for Mackenzie Heikes to work on her craft once the world shut down due to COVID-19. Not fully, anyway.

CHANDLER — Several Florence High School athletes were top finishers at the Al Nelson Invitational 2021 track meet Friday and Saturday at Valley Christian High School in Chandler.

FLORENCE – The annual Joe Padilla Baseball Tournament, for the last 30-plus years, has been a way for the Gophers to hone the fundamentals and begin the season right. With no tournaments this year due to the pandemic, Florence missed out.

FLORENCE — This season’s young Gophers softball team couldn’t get many breaks early in the season — until last week in Parker.

SAN TAN VALLEY — Florence was well represented at Poston Butte High School on March 18, qualifying three wrestlers to compete with the best at the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III State Championship.

SNOWFLAKE — Plan A was dismal, so Snowflake needed to go to Plan B or go home from the state basketball playoffs.

FLORENCE — This is what is looks like when Florence plays its best. From the opening tip, the Gophers displayed uncommon energy and focus in a 77-60 win over American Leadership Academy-Ironwood in the first round of the 3A state playoffs Wednesday.

THATCHER — Thatcher beat the Florence girls for the third time and by the biggest margin this season in the opening round of the 3A state basketball playoffs Tuesday night, 51-17.

CHANDLER -- The No. 12 Florence girls team also had a challenge on its hands with No. 5 Valley Christian. The Gophers were up to the challenge, and it was a low-scoring, back-and-forth affair for much of the game.

CHANDLER — David Silvas had seen Chandler Valley Christian on film. He had an idea of how to attack the Trojans. But on Tuesday, Florence had no answers for the blitzkrieg headed its way.

FLORENCE — After struggling a little in the first half, Florence’s girls took the upper hand in the second half and eked out a 38-36 win over the Safford Bulldogs Friday night in Florence.

FLORENCE — Florence and Safford were tied at 8 just over halfway through the first quarter, but the home team was in control for the rest of contest, smoking the Bulldogs 84-34.

COOLIDGE — As the buzzing crowd trickled out of the Roundhouse on Friday night, Florence coach David Silvas got done talking to his players, walked back onto the court and let out a thunderous yell. It could only be described as full of adrenaline, pride and relief.

FLORENCE — Even with his Gophers up by double digits heading into the fourth quarter, and more than six years since the last time they have lost to Coolidge, coach David Silvas knew better than being complacent.

FLORENCE — In a home game Thursday night in which visiting American Leadership Academy-Ironwood struggled just to get within four baskets of the hosts, there was a surprise announcement halfway through the fourth quarter.

FLORENCE — After an awkward first half, the Gophers pulled it together and smoked visiting American Leadership Academy-Ironwood 47-17 Thursday night.

FLORENCE — With eight seniors on the team, most of whom know coach David Silvas and each other quite well, the Florence boys basketball team is looking for another banner year.

FLORENCE — Schools opening and closing, students in quarantine and even the season itself called off and then resumed, have all taken a toll on the Gophers. After 10 weeks of practice, coach Bob Bellemare finally had the whole team together for the first time on Jan. 14.

1. Grinder Sports Complex

FLORENCE — Several Gophers were recognized for their outstanding achievements after a season that threw every obstacle their way.

FLORENCE — San Tan Foothill’s Justice Gutierrez caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Peyton Moore in the game’s final seconds, thrilling fans. But it was Florence who was in control throughout the game in a 42-12 win.

FLORENCE — It seems at this point of the season, no team is being left unscathed by the dreaded quarantine, and it was the Gophers’ turn on Friday.

FLORENCE — It was a great start for the Florence Gophers, as they jumped out to a quick lead on their first possession, but Safford scored 42 unanswered points. The Gophers mounted a late comeback in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs’ lead was too much as Safford left Florence with a 42-27 win.

THATCHER — The Florence Gophers were ahead 31-21 at halftime, but the Thatcher Eagles fought back for a 49-38 win.

FLORENCE — Florence defenders held Chandler Valley Christian to just one touchdown in the second half, but the first half belonged to the Trojans, who handed the home team a 30-7 defeat on the Gophers’ homecoming Friday.