Fresno Christian boys basketball honors seven seniors at the last home game before playoffs against Minarets, Feb 7.
Seniors include (Left to right) Jeremiah Mason, Chance Hertel, Dawson Briner, Beckham Klein, Trevor Engelman, Aden Millwee and Joshua Kubota. Players and parents are presented with handmade signs and gift baskets, while their favorite memories with the team are shared.
Klein has experienced multiple injuries throughout his high school career, which has prevented him from playing a full season. Even with this, he was honored at senior night and greatly appreciates the support from his coaches and teammates.
“All my coaches and teammates were all there for me, especially when I got hurt,” Klein said. “They were all super supportive, and when I was playing, they were all just super kind and really good guys.”
Mason joined the Fresno Christian team his senior year, previously playing at Washington Union High School.
“I would thank Coach Penberthy for trying to make it as comfortable as possible and an easy process for me from transferring to a new school for my senior year,” Mason said. “Being on this team has showed me what it’s like to be one of the best teams in the valley, and I’ve become more of a leader.”
Fresno Christian defeated Minarets with a score of 112-32 and is heading into the playoffs following their final league game against Riverdale, Feb. 11. The Eagles win against the Cowboys 79-32. This victory secured their status as undefeated in the league season, earning them the number one seed going into the playoffs.
Girls basketball honors three seniors after their last league game moving them into playoff season, Feb. 7.
Seniors include (left to right) Ava Bishel, Marisol Martinez and Devyn Wilkinson. Players and parents were presented with handpainted basketballs, flowers and signs while their favorite memories on the team were shared over the loudspeaker.
Unlike most sports, each of this year’s girls seniors has played on varsity throughout their high school career. Marisol Martinez has high hopes to play in college at Jessup University. Martinez has been a team leader by embedding her faith and love for the sport into a positive Christ-centered environment for her teammates.
“Just have fun, laugh, and smile, and just play in the moment,” Martinez said. “You don’t know when your last game will be, so when it’s over you want to be able to look back and enjoy the memories.”
Playing as both point and shooting guard, Bishel grew a love for the sport because of her cousin Cassie and focused on the dedication aspect of women’s basketball.
“Focus on hustle and effort, because coaches notice the little things that don’t always appear on the stat sheet,” Bishel said. “The more you get down on defense, the more playing time you’ll get.”
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