July 18 - July 31, 2015 www.SanTanSun.com
Chandler basketball talent shoots to victory BY TIM J. RANDALL
College basketball analyst Dick Vitale shows his love for the game by the way he praises the players. When Vitale sees a talented young player, he often refers to them as a “Diaper Dandy,” or a “P.T.P., a prime-time player.” Vitale gushes often and soon may do the same when he talks about Markus Howard, a 16-year-old guard from Chandler who formerly attended Perry High School. Markus, the youngest of three sons by Noemi Santana Howard and Clarence “Chuck” DeWitt Howard, is part of a dynamic basketball family. Desmond, 21, is an accomplished basketball skills trainer in the Valley, while Jordan, 19, was named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year from the University of Central Arkansas. Not to be outdone, Markus has been building his own basketball pedigree. “I have to thank my parents for all they have done for my basketball success,” Markus said. “They have been very involved.” The most recent achievement was a crowning one at that, as Markus was part of Team USA’s 16 and under roster that captured the gold medal in June at the
Former Perry High School basketball standout Markus Howard was part of Team USA’s 16 and under roster that captured the gold medal in June at the International Basketball Federation Americas Championship in Argentina. Submitted photo
FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas Championship in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. The victory was hard fought as the squad
Phyllis Carr surprised by Teacher of the Year award BY TRACY HOUSE
Hamilton High School English teacher Phyllis Carr was in the middle of class when the principal and superintendent walked in. Because she was instructing 12th graders, Carr said she believed the two school officials were going to discuss graduation. Instead, Chandler Chamber of Commerce CEO Terri Kimble joined in to announce that Carr was her organization’s Teacher of the Year. “I had no idea what was going on,” Carr said. “It was an absolute surprise.” Each year the chamber honors educators in the community, based on nominations by colleagues, parents and students. A committee reviews the nominations. “Hers just stood out—her passion
rallied from a 20-point deficit in the final game against Canada. “We really played hard as a team to come back and win,” Markus said.
For his part, Markus set a record for threepoint shooting, making 15 shots out of 31 for a 48.4 shooting percentage. That prolific mark from behind the arc helped Team USA go 5-0 in the tournament and win their fourth consecutive FIBA title. “It was such a great experience playing for the USA team,” Markus said. “We had a great group of guys as teammates.” The journey to the gold began for Markus in May 2014 when Don Showalter, head coach of Team USA under 16, saw the young talent. Markus was invited to attend a Team USA mini-camp later that year, with the hopes of an invitation to a tryout. Markus eventually made the cut down to the final 12 players to earn the right to represent his country. “It was an honor to play for the USA and winning the gold is the highlight of my career so far,” Markus said. Markus started playing the game at age 3. He played against great competition, that is, his older brothers. “The best player I have played against is my brother, Jordan,” Markus said. Now the 6-foot, 1-inch athlete is taking on national competition in the quest to improve his game. “That is the reason I am transferring from Perry to Findlay Prep. I get to play against the best talent every day.” As a freshman and sophomore at Perry, Markus scored 1,570 points, grabbed 207 rebounds, and dished out 147 assists in 58 games en route to being named to the USA Today All-USA Arizona Team in 2014 and 2015. With the FIBA tourney complete, Markus see VICTORY page 4
Groundbreaking expected soon for DC Heights project
and some of the things that she’s done,” Kimble said. “She mentors other teachers who have come in. Nobody asks her to do that. She’s just so passionate about teaching other teachers how to be good teachers.” Carr, who was nominated by a colleague, teaches honors English 10 and AP English 12. Teaching is a second career for Carr. For 20 years, she managed a doctor’s office. After her daughter finished high school, Carr returned to college to pursue a degree in education. It took eight years. “Once I started going back to school, I realized what I always wanted to do was be a teacher,” she said. Carr is beginning her 20th year of
BY KEN ABRAMCZYK
The Chandler City Council took another step toward transforming downtown when it approved an agreement earlier this month with Valley developer Thomas Gardner to build two buildings for 200 apartments. This property, known as DC Heights, is located on 5 acres on the southwest corner of California Street and Commonwealth Avenue. Gardner will build one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in buildings of varying heights of two to four stories. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said he believes the project will begin soon. “We’re excited for the new DC Heights project that will break ground soon in our downtown,” Tibshraeny said. “This
development adds new residential options for those looking to live in an area that is becoming increasingly urban with a real energetic feel. The increased pedestrian density will be a very good thing for the future of the city core.” The developer does not have to pay property taxes for eight years per the Government Property Lease Excise Tax, a state law that gives tax incentives to encourage property development. “We, the city, will own the land for eight years and lease it back to them,” said Kim Moyers, downtown redevelopment director. Reducing the taxes helps encourage the development downtown, Moyers added. Without that incentive, “encouraging the redevelopment of that area would be see GROUNDBREAKING page 11
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