Kolten Klein is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sunnyslope High School for AZPreps365.com

Sunnyslope is no stranger to winning.  The Vikings won their first state championship in 2002 and their second in 2009. In 2017 and 2018, the team won back-to-back 5A titles under coach Ray Portela.

Starting the season off with an impressive 9-0 record, it begs the question, how does this team remain motivated?

“We just tell them what we’ve always told them, our goal is to get better every day and win our next game,” said Portela.

Focusing on the next game is how the Vikings stay on top.  Not becoming “complacent” has echoed through Sunnyslope locker rooms dating back to the days of Arizona High School Coaching Hall of Famer, Dan Mannix.  

Mannix coached Portela as a player and led his teams to multiple championships during his 34 year, 500 win coaching run, passing his winning ideology down the chain.  “It’s playing to the standard which we set for ourselves, setting the bar high,” said Portela.  When a team is used to success, they have to draw inspiration in improving on that already "high bar".

Portela ensures his players grow as a team and as individual men each season. Winning expectations make for a winning environment.

“What really kept us motivated was our sophomore year when we made it all the way to state, but lost a close one to Mesa,” said former member of the back-to-back 2017-2018 championship team, Chris Orozco.  “We didn’t want to feel that pain and let the school down like that again,” Orozco added.  That never satisfied attitude is how the team has remained successful for decades and plans to do so for years to come.

The Vikings are eager to prove themselves once again.  They are back in action, looking to continue their hot streak Wednesday night at Desert Vista.