I received this mid-day text late last week from a friend.
“Are you familiar with Adrian Stubbs?”
My transparent answer was like many of us here in Arizona: “Only this week.”
Once they read the response, my phone began pinging.
“Only 16-23 from the FT line [thumbs down emoji].”
Next one.
“Go do a story on the club he waxed. I bet we could out hoop them.”
Then…
“If he only has JC offers it says a lot.”
From the Top
On Tuesday, January 13th in Yuma, Stubbs, a Maryvale High senior, scored 100 points in three quarters in a 109-25 win at Kofa. The 5’10 guard recorded a state record for most points in a single game as well as, according to MaxPreps, accomplished something only 19 other players have done in the last 112 years.
112 years!!
Adrian Stubbs SHATTERED the Arizona state scoring record by having 100 POINTS in THREE QUARTERS 😱
(via z1innacut/IG) pic.twitter.com/mgu9505YVR
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) January 14, 2026
“Unbelievable, it feels like a dream,” Stubbs said to 3TV’s Mark McClune about his performance in southern Arizona.
So, why have so many tried to take his moment, his dream, and turn it into a nightmare?
It’s not only my, in this case, narrow-minded friend indirectly spewing unnecessary vitriol towards a teenage prep basketball player, it’s other outsiders rummaging through various posts making sure they pee on the bush, as well.
The Social [Media] Change
If Stubbs’ milestone occurred at the turn of the century, the narrative would have been far different. Of course, we can’t go back in time and slow the siphon from the technology fire hose which began mass producing smartphones, iPads and other gadgets, and ultimately led to Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and every other social media app we see in today’s society.
I get it.
But being a teenager 25 or 30 years ago was far easier than in today’s society.
If you don’t believe me, take 54 seconds and watch the video below.
What American culture looked like in the 1990s pic.twitter.com/Yp6xM2qtke
— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) January 8, 2026
It’s not to say those teens didn’t have their own sets of pressures and problems but the circumstances weren’t amplified like they are today in many cases, due to social media. No one was looking down at their phones when they walked. Kids were socializing by word of mouth, not through Snap.
Social media has led to a deep erosion of youth social skills, and it’s not their fault – not even close.
Deciphering the true “value” of social is a tough balancing act. It clearly can have a positive impact in terms of bringing people together with liked interests, creating community support, and building both personal and professional networking avenues. However, others will argue it not only creates, but fosters, toxicity – and can lead to peer pressure, sleep loss, anxiety, and depression – the last four examples most common in teens.
Unlike far past teenage fads like the Discmen, flannel clothes, frosted tips, and hanging out with a big group of friends at the nearby Burger King, social media isn’t trending out – and likely never will.
If we, as a country, are looking to provide guard rails for social media control, maybe we need to mirror what’s happening Down Under.
Australia has a social media ban for children under the age of 16. On December 10th, the country passed the Online Safety Amendment Act and it includes all the biggies – X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, even Reddit. Companies who don’t comply can face fines up to $32 million, per a recent CNBC report.
“This is a global issue,” UK’s Daisy Greenwell said. “No one thinks the status quo is working for children, parents, or society – and this is one of the clearest policy responses on the table.”
California and Texas are already exploring in-state options for social bans at some point this year.
Adults not Adulting
So, about those parents.
I’m not going to paint with such a broad stroke to say they’re totally “failing,” but many aren’t helping. Their poor social decisions are even more inexplicable and often far more damaging because they’re expected to set the right example, not be the wrong one.
Last Sunday around 70 officers from multiple east Valley agencies were called after, according to Mesa Police, players, coaches and parents were involved in altercations at this 7’s tournament at the Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Sources: Following the direction of the Arizona Metro Police Department and Arizona Athletic Grounds, remaining games of the Redzone Elite MLK Jamboree have been postponed following multiple alleged confrontations involving parents and players of multiple teams. @AZHSFB pic.twitter.com/MzK5lKV3bK
— Adam Beadle (@therealbeadle) January 18, 2026
No one was injured and no arrests were made. Perception may skew reality a bit for this story, thanks again to the social media brush fire, but is this type of adult behavior the message we want our kids to follow?
Parents and social media are absolutely ruining high school athletics https://t.co/dC51DrdLO6
— Tyler Worden (@TylerJWorden) January 18, 2026
Adults are not only enabling, they’re endangering – and often through the convenient empowerment of apps which sit on a device most of us keep with us at all times.
In early December, Saguaro AD Lucas Ackerson resigned after it was discovered he was sending inappropriate messages, reported through a social media app, to a female middle school student. He previously worked at Mohave Middle School where the two met.
The victim’s father claimed Ackerson would call her out of class and into his office if she didn’t respond to him.
Disturbing.
A Silver Lining
Stubbs has taken the trolls in stride, showing more maturity and level headedness than people two, three, even four times his age.
I have never met “Ace” but, from a distance, he’s easy to root for. After his record-shattering performance against Kofa, he opted to come off the bench in their win over Rincon.
“I just [wanted] some other guys to get some love,” Stubbs said to 3TV after the win.
Team first.
“it feels like a movie.”
Maryvale senior Adrian Stubbs made Arizona history this week scoring 100 points in a game. So how did he do it?
Stubbs tells @AZFamily that it was a team effort. https://t.co/hRZZNc5GCN pic.twitter.com/kiARnzzlPX
— Mark McClune (@MarkMcClune) January 16, 2026
According to the people familiar with his game, he’s talented enough to play for any school in Arizona. Instead, the neighborhood kid chose to play with his friends for his local school and, entering Friday’s game against Chavez, the Panthers have won seven of their last eight, and are the clear front runners to win the 6A Metro Region.
Below the surface, Stubbs’ milestone reaches far beyond the hardwood. It serves as positive energy for a mostly lower socioeconomic community and school which experienced a senseless, tragic stabbing of a student on campus just five months ago.
It also serves as bridge momentum from last fall when the Carter twins took a football program on life support and helped guide them to their first region title in two decades, and first winning season since 2010.
We live in a culturally and politically divided country with social media often stoking the flames for further erosion. Sports, at all levels, need to serve as a positive outlet, not platform for hate and exploitation, especially when one’s “hot take” or, in some cases, act of perversion, is just a swipe and a click away.
A rising tide lifts all boats.
Now let’s work on getting rid of the seaweed.
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.