THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
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Miles Lockhart taking humble approach to success BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor
Miles Lockhart admits he never thought football would be his future when he was younger. He started off as a soccer player, and a self-proclaimed “chubby” one at that. He started to dabble in tackle football when he was 8 years old but never truly fell in love with it right away. His parents, David and Stevie, saw potential in him, even if he didn’t see it in himself. He stuck with the game and by the time he reached the seventh grade, his baby fat began to fall off. That’s also around the time he started to see what football can offer him. Now in the middle of his junior season at Basha High School, Miles isn’t just a starting cornerback for a Bears team that figures to make a run at the Open Division title this season. He’s one of the top cornerbacks in the country for the 2024 class while only playing at the position for two years. “People ask me if I thought this would ever happen,” Miles said. “And, like, no, to be honest. I thought it could happen but it’s just a really humbling experience. To look back on that, you would never really think I would be at where I am now. “It’s been a great experience.” Miles’ approach to football is simple: Stay hungry. Stay humble. Never settle. He helped lead Basha to a 10-0 regular season record last year as a sophomore. But the Bears lost in the first round of the playoffs. That isn’t good enough for Miles. He’s been a starter at the varsity level since his freshman year, when head coach Chris McDonald saw his athleticism and
knew he would be able to contribute at a young age to build what has now become Basha’s core group of players. Yet, he isn’t satisfied without a win in the postseason. Miles knows the attention that is on him to be a leader and among the top players on a loaded Basha defense. He thrives off those expectations and doesn’t gloat. Instead, he stays humble. “That has come with maturity,” McDonald said. “He’s also got teammates that are going through the same thing as him. Everyone knows he’s a phenomenal player and we have several phenomenal players. “I think for him, he knows he isn’t the only guy getting recognition, so he keeps things in perspective. He doesn’t have to go around and be the guy.” Miles’ athleticism comes from his family. David ran track and played football at the University of Arizona, where he met Stevie, who played flag football at Arizona. His older sister, Makenzie, became a professional dancer. Mia is currently a junior playing soccer at Alabama A&M. Along with his parents, Miles was always pushed by his older sisters to succeed. They wanted what was best for him just as much as he does. And like their parents, they saw the potential he had early on. It took countless hours of training to get to where Miles is today. But he isn’t satisfied. His four-star rating by recruiting websites and countless letters from colleges are great, but he aims to win a championship as a team with Basha. His ability to become a leader at a young age is something that stands out the See
LOCKHART on page 44
Basha junior cornerback Miles Lockhart has become one of the top players in the country in the 2024 class. But it didn’t come easy. He had to work for it and follow his parents’ guidance of always keeping a level head and staying humble. It’s paid off. (Dave Minton/Staff Photographer)
Chandler native honored for her work with Unified sports BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor
Mali Chawla’s passion for Unified sports runs deep. She first became involved in junior high. She said she was never athletic enough to play sports herself but wanted to make a difference with kids who have intellectual disabilities. She enjoyed seeing the happiness Unified sports brought to those athletes, and it brought her just as much joy to be a part of it. Now, after being involved with it for several years, she was rewarded. The National Society of High School Scholars honored Chawla with the 18 Under 18 Award, a $1,000 scholarship given to a student under 18 years old who spread positivity within their communities. “It’s honestly really special,” Chawla said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I applied to a few scholarships here and there with hopes of winning one of them. I didn’t think I would get this one and when I did, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so exciting!’ “It was very rewarding. Especially because I am so passionate about Unified sports. It was nice to see my passion get me somewhere.” Chawla’s passion for caring for others comes from her father’s career as a doctor. She had heard several stories about the wide array of patients he has seen. He was also involved with a not-for-profit that specializes in helping special needs adults. That has led her to the University
of Arizona, where she is in her freshman year pursuing a degree in nursing. Her caring nature was what helped lead her to Unified sports in the first place. In sixth grade, she was able to do arts and crafts with special needs classes when she finished her homework on Fridays. She then joined the special needs club in junior high to stay involved. That led her to Unified sports, where she played basketball and ran track with the athletes and carried on her support for them through high school at Perry. By the time she was a senior, she was voted the president of Unified sports at the school. She frequently led the teams through warm-ups and encouraged them to have high levels of energy while playing. Being a part of Unified sports has been a fulfilling experience, and to see it growing rapidly in the state is something Chawla is proud of. “It means a lot,” Chawla said. “I have seen it grow so much over the years. My senior year there were schools I had never heard of on our rosters to play. It Chandler native and Perry High School alum Mali Chawla was one of 18 students recognized by the the National Society of High School Scholars honored Chawla with the 18 Under 18 Award, a $1,000 scholarship given to a student under 18 years old who spread positivity within their communities. Her involvement with Unified sports for several years helped her earn recognition. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)
was hard at Perry because Unified sports wasn’t always recognized. But this year, my mom was telling me the football team was there supporting the Unified football team. “So, it’s not just other schools getting involved. It’s other sports at those schools getting involved with Unified. I love that aspect.” Chawla was one of 18 students honored with the scholarship. She said she put the money toward room and board at Arizona. To be considered, she had to submit a video showcasing her how their styles of leadership are contagious within communities. They also had to demonstrate how they will use that same passion as they move forward with their academic careers. The video included pictures of her involvement with Unified sports. It also explained how her love for it evolved from junior high to her senior year at Perry. She plans to once again become involved with Unified sports at her university, but for now is trying to adjust to a college lifestyle and schedule. But when she can, she will return to Unified sports. “I’m still trying to get used to all of my time commitments,” Chawla said. “But I do plan to find a Special Olympics organization. U of A is very handicap accessible, and I think we have a paralympic basketball team. So, I’m going to look into helping out with that.