HeatWaved Featured Writer Of The Week: Gabe Encinas

Since coming online as a FanSided’s All Arizona Sports Website in April of 2013, HeatWaved has strived to bring you the best stories and opinions about the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Suns, Coyotes and more.  In that time, HeatWaved has worked hard to build a great staff of passionate Arizona Sports fans.

This week, we feature Gabe Encinas, who covers the basketball and football programs of the Arizona Wildcats. Since joining the site in August, Gabe has been a huge part of the HeatWaved team and has done a fantastic job covering his beloved Wildcats.

Here are a few questions to get to know Gabe a little better.

HW: What was your favorite Arizona sports moment of 2014?

"Encinas: My favorite Arizona moment of 2014 was  definitely beating ASU for the Territorial Cup to clinch the Pac-12 South at home. Just an unreal atmosphere at the game and a great performance by our team. It’s a great accomplishment, especially when you consider how tough the Pac-12 South was, with five out of six teams finishing the regular season ranked. Rich Rodriguez has such a young team to work with, there’s a lot to look forward to."

HW: You have done a great job covering the success of the Arizona Wildcats football team this season. Do you think the basketball team is ready to bring a National Championship to Arizona?

"Encinas: Since the end of last season, everyone has been saying this is Arizona’s year to win it all. However, this team right now is not ready for a National Championship. Three freshman are contributing big minutes, which gives this team a lot of room for much-needed improvement. Come March, I do believe that this team can win the National Championship. The tournament is tough, obviously only one team can win, but I think this is the year Sean Miller finally advances to the Final Four and brings another championship back to Tucson."

HW:  Which athlete has most inspired you and why?

"Encinas: This is hard to admit, but I actually grew up as a Sun Devil baby. With that, the most inspirational athlete for me by far is Pat Tillman. Although I was just a rugrat when he played at Arizona State, I do remember going to Sun Devil Stadium to watch him play as an Arizona Cardinal. For him to turn down a long-term contract playing the game he loved to serve this country is incredible. Putting the rivalry aside, I will always support him and all efforts by Arizona State to honor such a hero."