It was mid-July in Surprise, Arizona. The sun was punishing, the competition relentless, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Sixty-four of the country’s best 15U travel baseball teams had gathered for the USA Baseball National Team Championships, all chasing the same goal. But by the end of the week, one team from the Southwest outshined and made history.
The Zona Boys became the first team from Arizona ever to win gold at the High School National Baseball Championship Series (HSNBC). Along the way, four of their players were selected for the USA Baseball Scout Task Force Tryout, a rare distinction that underscored just how much respect the program has earned.
And while talent and culture fueled the run, there was another factor their players kept mentioning: the cleats on their feet.
A Historic Win and the Weight Behind It
For years, Arizona teams had shown promise at the HSNBC tournament but fell short in the final rounds. No team from the state had ever even reached the championship game—let alone won it.
That changed this summer.
The Zona Boys blazed through pool play, fought through the bracket, and ultimately stood on top of the podium, holding the gold for the first time in state history.
Head coach Jared Ryan didn’t take it for granted.
“That championship wasn’t just about talent. It was about chemistry, preparation, and the way these guys show up for each other,” he said. “They earned that moment in every sense of the word.”
That win alone would’ve been enough to define a season. But the best was still ahead.
Four Invitations, One Unforgettable Night
After the Zona Boys wrapped up their final game in Arizona, something unusual happened. Officials from the USA Baseball Scout Task Force approached the team’s dugout and asked to speak with four players.
- Troy Tewers
- McGuire Ryan
- Jameson Mohler
- PJ Brush
Each player was handed a formal letter: an invitation to a closed-door workout that same night.
“We finished our game around one,” Coach Ryan said. “The boys went home, showered, maybe got 90 minutes of rest. Then we were right back at Surprise Stadium under the lights.”
The tryout was a battery of tests designed to measure speed, power, strength, and mental toughness. Timed runs. Vertical jumps. Grip strength. Infield and outfield evaluations. And three rounds of live hitting.
McGuire Ryan, who had competed in the same tournament the year before but didn’t get selected, described the moment as a turning point.
“I played last year and didn’t get the call. So when I found out this time, I was just… grateful. It meant a lot. That stuff doesn’t just happen to anyone.”
For PJ Brush, a catcher and pitcher, returning for a second shot was about showing how much he’d grown.
“I was way less nervous than last year,” he said. “I knew what it was about this time. I was ready.”
Troy Tewers, both a PG All-American and Scout Task Force selection, saw the experience as fuel.
“When I got the letter, it just lit something in me. You want to prove you belong.”
Out of nearly 1,000 athletes at the event, only 28 were invited. With 4 players being selected, Zona Boys had more than any other team in the tournament.
Brotherhood Over Bragging Rights
While the accolades are stacking up, what truly defines the Zona Boys is their internal dynamic—something more mature than their age might suggest.
“Zero jealousy. Zero finger-pointing,” Coach Ryan said. “There’s no asking, ‘Why didn’t I get picked?’ It’s, ‘How can I get better?’ That’s why this works.”
Inside the team, it’s mutual respect and internal drive that keep things moving.
“If you take a day off, you’re out of the lineup,” said McGuire. “It’s just that competitive. But nobody’s rooting against each other. It’s the opposite—we push each other.”
PJ agreed, adding that the support system helped him stay composed even in the most pressure-filled moments.
“When I’m on the mound, I know I’ve got seven guys behind me who have my back. That kind of trust lets you pitch with confidence.”
Even off the field, the bond is strong. Some of the players began school during the tournament in Georgia, completing online assignments from team Airbnbs between practices and games. The days began with batting cages and pancakes, and ended with high-stakes matchups under East Coast lights.
On Their Feet: The Role of Cleats in Elite-Level Play
While the spotlight usually lands on swings and fastballs, every one of these players brought up something else: their cleats.
Every Scout Task Force selectee—and nearly the entire Zona roster—was competing in SQAIRZ GFP™ cleats, the official partner of the HSNBC Series.
Troy Tewers didn’t mince words:
“They feel amazing. I feel more stable. I feel like I have the best gear, so I can play my best.”
PJ Brush spoke to the long-game comfort they offer:
“After games my feet don’t hurt anymore like they used to. It used to be brutal, especially as a catcher. But these cleats changed that.”
McGuire Ryan, who’s been working hard on his speed, said the shoes played a role in his gains:
“I’ve definitely gotten faster over the past few months. And these help. You don’t think footwear matters until it does.”
And they’re not wrong.
Independent biomechanical studies have shown that SQAIRZ GFP™ cleats improve balance, reduce lateral foot movement, and increase ground force efficiency—the very foundation of explosive first steps, powerful swings, and injury prevention. The shoes feature a roomier toe box, which allows for better toe splay and stability, and a medial sidewall that supports foot integrity during lateral bursts.
In a tournament where players sprinted, cut, pivoted, and lunged through doubleheaders and seven-game weeks, those design advantages were critical.
Where They’re Headed Next
With the summer circuit behind them, the Zona Boys aren’t slowing down. They’ve already visited Clemson, Winthrop, and Georgia State, and over the next 12 months, nearly every player will enter a crucial recruiting year.
Their schedule is only getting more competitive. Invitations to elite-level invitationals are already rolling in. The coaching staff will soon make decisions about which national events offer the right mix of visibility and challenge.
But there’s no secret formula. The team knows the mission.
“This isn’t just about playing,” Coach Ryan said. “We develop them in every way—athletically, academically, mentally. We’re building something that lasts.”
Legacy in the Making
To recap:
- First Arizona team to ever win the HSNBC Championship
- Four USA Scout Task Force invitees—more than any other team
- Five Perfect Game All-Americans
- An undefeated championship run in the PBR Southeast Select
- A headline-grabbing run at the WWBA National Championship
- And the gear—SQAIRZ GFP™cleats that helped make it possible
This is the start of a movement—one built on performance, trust, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
The Zona Boys proved they’re the top 15U team in the country and they did it wearing SQAIRZ GFP™. More balance. More traction. More confidence when it counts.
Get the cleats trusted by champions.
