Sahuaro softball coach Billy Lopez makes signals during Sahuaro vs. Chaparral game on May 16, 1999.Β Sergey Shayevich / Arizona Daily Star

Hank SlagleΒ coached Tucson High to 10 state baseball championships between 1942-54, establishing the Badgers as the state’s top baseball school.

Billy LopezΒ coached Sahuaro to six state softball championships, and five in six years, from 1988-93.

Flowing Wells wrestling coachΒ Dave ThomasΒ was the heavyweight in his sport before the Sunnyside dynasty, coaching the Caballeros to seven state championships between 1972-84.


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Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711