Kobe Blackwell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arcadia High School for AZPreps365.com

 

Arcadia coach Ives Machiz is all about improving on the court and also in life.

 

“The women’s game is very fundamentally based,” said Machiz. “Very horizontal and you have to know the fundamentals.”

 

Machiz caters to each team differently.

 

“I need to adjust to the set of athletes that I have and push them as far as I can,” Machiz said.

 

After 14 seasons at Arcadia, Machiz has learned to alter his coaching style. 

 

Instead of a negative, Matchiz sees that as a positive allowing him to develop as a coach and spark his creativity.

 

“At the high school you just have to adjust to the players you have, and really do the best you can to put them in a position to be successful,” said Machiz.

 

Machiz is all about the development of his players not only as athletes but as humans. 

 

During the off-season, he encourages his athletes to participate in AAU basketball teams. 

But he does not like when young athletes choose sports over happiness.

 

“Do what’s gonna make you happy,” said Machiz. “Sometimes you see a kid and it seems like they are at work, don’t turn sports into work.”

 

The relationship built between his players is special. Leadership has been key for Arcadia in helping support the young team.

 

Senior’s Kasey Stauffacher and Olivia Allen have taken on those roles.

 

“We like to help each other out,” said Allen. “There is a strong dynamic between the older players and the younger.”

 

The bond between the players drives the culture set by Machiz.

 

“I think it's good for me to help them out and tell them what I know,” Stauffacher said.

 

Machiz is grateful for the group of girls that he is led to coach every season.

“The one constant is that I get to work with good kids and that’s never changed,” Machiz stated.

 

Arcadia is coming off of a win over Washington High and looks to its next matchup against Horizon tuesday at 5:30 p.m.