By Cameron Hill

“And your Knights starting lineup, beginning with senior Darrell Bailey.” When you hear those words and the Knights bench goes crazy, you know Tempe Prep basketball is ready to go. Next thing you know the Knights are racing down the court in our fast-paced system. Every time a Knight shoots a three you see the whole bench stand up and go crazy when it goes in. That is what Knights basketball is all about: hard work and enthusiasm.

This year Tempe Prep basketball has a new head coach but a familiar face to most. Mr. Lambros, the school’s most enthusiastic supporter, returned after a light absence to reprise his role as the Tempe Prep Head Coach of Varsity Boys Basketball. Coach Lambros said: “After stepping away from coaching for 1 year, I loved it too much to be done.” After that it was just a matter of time until he coached basketball again. He stated that he “even thought of going to a different school to coach basketball,” but eventually he “realized my heart only wanted to coach at Tempe Prep.”

Since Mr. Lambros has resumed his role, the team has gone through a bit of a learning period, as the coaches implement their new system which the players have to learn and adjust to. However, the team has a bright future. This year’s team features a combined total of 14 sophomores and freshmen.

Mr. Lambros said one of the team’s greatest achievements is “playing a varsity schedule with so many young players.” He also remarked that “Almost every game, we improved in some area or another.”

Similarly, senior Darrell Bailey stated that “the kids’ progress and willingness to learn creates a situation where the sky is the limit.”

Senior Noah Teters also stated that he knows “in a couple years TPA basketball will be a force to be reckoned with.” Overall, this season of growth and learning will lead to a winning culture at TPA for years to come.

While this season was a learning season, it also was a season of camaraderie for sure. I played basketball myself and I think everyone on the team would agree when I say the team is a family. Everyone is friends and no one is excluded. We all truly support each other and help each other learn the game of basketball. Darrell touched on this when he said, “I’ll never forget the camaraderie that comes each year,” and “every person on the team contributes something to the team which we can all look up to and learn from.” This quote perfectly exemplifies the team dynamic that you gain when you join the Tempe Prep basketball team.

The team also had a lot of fun this year, whether it be playing games together on the three-hour bus ride to Antelope or joking around in the locker room. The team as a whole celebrated all the little things that each other did well.

Noah said this well when he stated that “My favorite part about playing basketball are the moments in games where you celebrate the small things,” like “a teammate drawing a foul or getting a steal.”

Mr. Lambros also said his favorite memory from the season was “when each player hits a three-pointer.” Getting to high-five your teammates after a great play is one of those factors that makes playing basketball worth the hard work. Noah perfectly summarized this: “Nothing is more rewarding than being able to cheer with your team for that quick second when the game stops.”

There is also a lot you can gain from playing basketball. Personally I have learned a lot of different basketball plays and strategies but I have also learned a lot about working hard and helping others succeed. I have become friends with people I never would have before. Noah shared that he has learned “It isn’t always about winning in sports but the connections and friendships you build with coaches, teammates, and even opposing players.”

Meanwhile, Darrell offered a different perspective saying that basketball “progresses your physical and mental toughness and also demands a certain amount of trust and respect for the players and coaches around you.” Mr. Lambros stated he loves “the chance to help players get better individually.” Overall, basketball offers everyone different opportunities, whether that be to get better at basketball or improve as a person in general.

“I’ve genuinely enjoyed this year and wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Darrell. That sentiment truly represents the team as a whole’s sentiment towards this season.