Riley Reisner is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com.

As the Arizona State Track and Field Championships approach in early May, the athletes at Basha High School are feeling the pressure—but they're embracing it. For them, this meet is more than a competition; it's the climax of a season built on grit, discipline, and unity. From sprinters returning from injury to seniors racing in their final high school meets, every runner on the team knows the stakes. And with Head Coach Marcus Brunson at the helm, the Bears are sprinting toward the finish line with purpose.

“We’re far enough into the season where we’ve already built that competition shape,” Brunson said. “Right now, it’s about fine-tuning everything. The focus shifts from quantity to quality.”

That precision becomes the hallmark of the final weeks. Workouts are shortened but intensified. The film is reviewed. Recovery becomes sacred. Brunson and his coaching staff have to find the sweet spot between preparing their athletes to peak and not pushing them over the edge.

The mindset, however, is what sets the Basha program apart.

“We don’t want calm,” Brunson said. “We want them on level 10. If they’ve got butterflies, that’s a good thing. That means they know this is a huge opportunity.”

And opportunity is something senior sprinter Maddox Davis doesn’t take for granted. After missing most of last season with a hamstring injury, he’s roared back into form—ranked #3 in the 100 meters, #6 in the 200, and #9 in the 400 among all divisions.

“Just to do the best I can and make an impact when the time is right during State,” Davis said of his personal goal.

Despite the rankings and the pressure, Davis keeps his approach consistent: repetition, focus, and staying healthy. “Keep practicing hard and stay the course,” he said. “That’s what I’ve got to do to succeed at the highest level.”

Davis’s comeback has also inspired his teammates, especially the underclassmen. Many of them look up to him and fellow senior Dominic Harris-Baker as the team’s emotional anchors.

“They're really peaking at the right time,” Brunson said. “The younger kids have seen their growth, and it's inspiring. They’re feeding off that leadership.”

Junior leader Mason Aughe knows that being mentally locked in is just as important as physical readiness.

“If you’re mentally off, then you’re physically off,” Aughe said. “I always make sure I’m on top of my mental game first.”

He’s also a source of positivity on the team—someone who makes sure the younger athletes aren’t intimidated by the moment.

“This is a sport; it’s supposed to be fun,” Aughe said. “I want to make sure everyone’s improving and not scared of the pressure. It’s a big event, but it’s also something to enjoy.”

With the pressure mounting and the final weeks ticking down, the Basha Bears are locked in. If everything falls into place, they know what they can achieve, but for now, the focus remains internal—on preparation, unity, and belief.

“I don’t pay attention to what people say about us,” Brunson said. “I just listen to my guys. And right now? They’re hungry.”

Hungry to finish what they started. Hungry to leave a legacy. And as they enter the final stretch, the Bears aren’t just chasing medals—they’re chasing something bigger: a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.