By Clark Campbell

   Death, taxes, COVID-19 cases and the Tempe Prep high school boys’ basketball team dominating on the court are some of the only things we can be certain of this year. The team boasts an astounding 16-1 record in the regular season. 

   Although the team has faced some devastating and hard-fought losses in tournament games against higher-division teams, the basketball team has continued to persist. Senior and captain Gabe Huerta McWhirter says, “I think a combination of our new coaching staff and a connection between the team has led to our success.”

   Captain and senior Bubba Jordan attributes some of the team’s success to the off-season work. He says, “We really got to utilize the weight room.” With the new TPA Athletic Performance Center, the boys’ basketball team will be able to enhance their training during the off-season.

Bubba Jordan shoots a free throw.  

 The team started 11-0 in the regular season, including a decisive victory against Hayden, the prior number one team in 1A. After that, the team rose from third to first in the state in 1A Mens’ Basketball. 

   However, the team later suffered a loss against Highland Prep, the current number two ranked team in 2A, and ended up losing 51-73. Junior Nolan Bailey says, “Although we lost, we played a great game and we responded the next week.”

   After the loss, the Knights’ momentum only increased with five more wins, two against other top 10 teams in 1A, leaving the Knights with their current record, the best in TPA history.

   The team is scheduled to play its last regular season game on Senior Night at home versus Lincoln Prep at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1.

   Following that game the Knights are scheduled to play in the Regional Tournament to determine their seeding in the playoffs. Senior James Philipps says, “We expect to do really well this postseason, and make it pretty far.”