TPA Men’s Basketball beginning to soar

By Caleb Peckham

Gaspar Tonnesen takes an outside shot.

After playing in the shadow of the more successful women’s program the past several years, the men’s basketball team is finally coming into its own. Led by second-year coach Jonathan Lambros,the Knights are aiming for state.

Senior Gaspar Tonnesen describes the squad as “a great group of talented players, and we are proving to be a very competitive team in our division.” He even goes so far as to guarantee a playoff spot in the 2013 tournament.

Tempe Prep has made huge strides from last season. After losing to Chandler Prep and getting blown out by Arizona Lutheran in the 2011-12 campaign, the Knights have come back this season to beat the Titans twice and hang in with ALA, one of the top programs in Division IV.

Senior Jacob Fischer is sure that the Knights will continue to improve and win tough games. He commends the team for its hard work, talent, and discipline. Fischer says, “We have such chemistry on and off the court and it all came from the hours we have put into trying to become champions.”Junior guard Luke Sandoval is also proud of the team’s camaraderie. For instance, they have bonded by “spending time together volunteering in the community and having a late-night dodgeball tournament.”

Of course, the team has also worked hard actually playing basketball, with many of the players participating in summer and fall leagues as well as weight lifting.

The Knights are looking forward to the crucial weeks ahead. The Phoenix Country Day School holiday tournament (Dec 28-29) will be a gauge of the squad’s progress. According to Sandoval, a few of the goals for the tournament include “improving execution of the offense and defense as well as learning and implementing new strategies.”

Luke Sandoval brings the ball up court.

After some disappointing years, the Knights are climbing to their rightful place in the upper levels of small-school basketball. Although other schools may still underestimate TPA, the team plans to stun these naysayers and make it far into the postseason.