SPORTS REVIEW

MIDDLE SCHOOL fall/winter sports review

// TARA POOVEY, MS ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Middle School Athletics at Phoenix Christian Preparatory School are really blossoming.

The Middle School Soccer program, led by Head Coach Michael Eriquez, had an AMAZING season with an undefeated conference record of 5 - 0 and a 7 - 2 overall division record! PC was ranked #2 going into the CCSL Playoff Tournament and had the privilege of hosting their Semi-Final game against the #3 Christ Greenfield Eagles on October 30. PC won, which advanced them to the CCSL Championship game against the #1 Phoenix Christian Grade, Wildcats. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 2 - 0 and became the 2019 CCSL Division Champs! Congratulations to the team and Coach Eriquez for making school history.

The Middle School Volleyball program, led by new Head Coach Kristy Clay, and assisted by alumnus Jessica Ragland (’16), had an outstanding participation record of 27 student-athletes. Volleyball competed in over 12 games and was ranked #4 going into the CCSL Play-off Tournament. PC defeated #5 North Valley Christian in the first-round of play-offs and lost a tough match-up in the Semi-Finals against #1 Trinity Lutheran.

Winter Sports included: Softball, Baseball, Cross-Country and Wrestling. Phoenix Christian Middle School Athletics is a member of the Cactus Christian School League and Canyon Athletic Association.

The Softball program was led by new Head Coach Adam Fisher and assisted by Heather Van Sant (’94). The softball program is growing and had one of the largest participations this season with 22 studentathletes. The Lady Cougars competed in fourteen regular season games, finished 4 – 1 in the conference and 8 – 6 overall. PC was ranked #5 out of sixteen total teams going into the 2020 CCSL Play-off Tournament. The Lady Cougars had an amazing season and their future is bright, congrats ladies!

The Baseball program, coached by our head High School coach, Mark Band, participated in the Cactus Christian Schools League for the first time this season. Coach Band is working diligently to build a middle school program and their success proved just that! The Cougar Baseball program participated in ten regular season games, earning the #1 seed in their conference. PC fought a tough match-up against Paradise Valley Panthers but

The team celebrated with a Gatorade shower for Head Coach Eriquez

Cactus Christian League, Championship Soccer Team

MS Football Team

lost 6 - 2 in the Finals. Coach Band reflected, “they are continuing to improve, and several have shown potential to play at the high school level. All of the studentathletes seem to be enjoying their baseball experience this season.”

The Cross-Country program was led by Head Coach, Sean Eicher (’10). The Cross-Country team traveled and competed in six meets around the valley. The Cross-Country Championship was held on Saturday, February 1, where Kiara Rubio placed and medaled 8th over 93 female runners. Congrats to all participants and Head Coach Sean Eicher, looking forward to next season!

PC Wrestling is also thriving in the Middle School and is led by Head Coach, Josh Perez and assisted by Veronica Perez. Moises Perez placed 1st in his division and Pablo Hernandez placed 3rd in his division. The Cougars had four State Qualifiers for the 2020 CAA

MS Volleyball A Team Cactus Christian League, Baseball Runner-Up

State Wrestling Championship at ALA – Queen Creek on Saturday, January 25. Congrats to our medalists: Moises, Kathryn and Brianna for placing 2nd and Pablo Hernandez for placing 3rd. See you next year on the mat!

MS Softball Team

The Middle School Athletic programs are growing immensely here at PC. Our coaches are a huge source to that growth and their dedication and commitment does not go unnoticed. The impact they leave will last a lifetime. A huge Thank You to the parents as well for their support to PC, their students and to the Athletic programs.

Go Cougars!

MS Volleyball B Team

HIGH SCHOOL

fall/winter sports review

// KEITH BAKER, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Phoenix Christian Preparatory School enjoyed a successful fall in interscholastic athletics. Cougar football advanced to an AIA Championship game for the first time since 2008. Phoenix Christian finished the season 12-2, winning their fourth consecutive Region Championship. Senior runningback/linebacker Man-Man Freeman led the Cougars, winning 1st Team All 2A Conference honors and was selected as the 2A Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He also had the second best single season rushing yardage total in school history as he piled up 2,232 yards on 182 carries (an average of 12.3 yards per carry). Freeman also finished top 5 on the PC Career Rushing list with 3,190 yards.

Seven students were named First Team All 2A Conference while another three earned Second Team honors. Junior Howard Russell was selected First Team All 2A Conference for both Defense (Defensive Backs) and Special Teams (Punt Returner). PC won all four 2A Agua Fria Region games and dominated the All Agua Fria Region selections with 11 First Team and five Second Team picks. It is of note that the only two losses for the season were at the hands of state champions. PC dropped a 35-21 decision at American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek (the eventual 3A Conference Champion) and also fell in the 2A Conference final 34-28 to Round Valley. The Cougars had beaten Round Valley earlier in the season in Eagar by a score of 21-16.

The senior class for this season has an admiral record, having won four straight regional titles and producing an overall record of 44 wins and only 8 losses.

PC Volleyball battled their way to a threeway tie for second place in the 2A Valley Region and earned their first 2A State Tournament berth since the 2014 season. Senior outside hitter Atlantis Jamerson led the record-setting Cougar team and was selected honorable

Atlantis for the kill

Howard carries the ball toward the endzone

Varsity Cheerleaders

2019 Regional Champions

Varsity Volleyball

mention All 2A Conference and the 2A Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year in the process. Phoenix Christian finished 19-18 overall and 6-4 in the 2A Valley Region. The Cougars won their 2A Conference Play-In match at St. Augustine Catholic in Tucson before facing #1 Thatcher in the opening round of the 2A State Tournament.

Junior Setter Ainsley Ebert was also named First Team All Valley Region while MeiLing Milgrim, Daisy Martinez and Cassidy Clifford were honorable mention All Region Honorees. Jamerson became both the Single Season and Career Kills record holder (412 kills); Junior Libero Cassidy Clifford set new marks for Single Season Digs (567), Aces (127) and Passing Percentage (92%); while Ebert is the Single Season and Career Assists leader with 567. Jamerson was 4th best in the 2A Conference in total kills, Clifford third in Aces, 3rd in Digs, Cassidy’s total of 127 service aces was third best in the state regardless of conference affiliation.