Glendale Prep Played the Best on a Big Stage at Section 7

This summer, a unique offseason opportunity was given to the boys and girls varsity basketball teams at Glendale Prep, when they were invited to compete in Section 7 at  State Farm Stadium, where the 2024 NCAA Final Four was played. The stadium floor was converted into 12 wooden basketball courts for three weekends, where over 400 high school teams from 12 different states played over 800 games. While the competition was fierce, the exposure for the high school athletes was even greater, with over 700 college coaches in attendance to observe the players.

“We were welcomed for the second year in a row to the Section 7 Qualifier, giving us an opportunity to go 3-0 and play the following weekend. We went 1-2, improving each of the 3 games as we played,” shared Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Noah Roundy. “It was a great opportunity for us, giving a ‘playoff feel’ with the intensity and physically amped up in each game. All our flaws were amplified in the arena, and it really showed us what we need to continue to work on throughout the rest of the offseason.” Roundy, who also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director at Glendale Prep, says he hopes to see his team take the lessons learned from playing in Section 7 into the season, taking the opportunity to see what they as a team can do to improve each day and be successful.

Rising Senior Forward Maddox Smith says this experience helped his team grow closer and more connected. “The overall experience was really cool, and playing under the bright lights of the stadium is truly a unique experience. It’s difficult to replicate the same pressure, intensity, and competition in offseason basketball. However, Section 7 gave our team the chance to play on one of the biggest stages in Arizona that recreated the same nerves and intensity of the normal season. Our school, being a smaller 2A school, was matched up against some of the bigger schools across the Valley. This not only challenged us, but allowed us to play against better and more athletic competition that we wouldn’t necessarily find in 2A.”

Rising Junior Point Guard Daniel Andersen also enjoyed the sheer grandeur of the event. “It was my second time, so I knew what to expect but forgot how big the stadium actually was. The teams there were really good. They had a lot of height and length compared to our team,” he recalled. “Watching the teams also showed us how we could play and how good we can be when we play together like the other teams. Playing the other teams brought out our weaknesses, which gives us things to improve on.”

Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Brian Frey was pleased with his team’s performance at the tournament. “Going 2-2 in our bracket against 5a and 6a schools was a huge accomplishment for our girls and a testament to their hard work and ability. The highlight win for us was defeating Sahuaro in a closely contested game after losing to them by double digits in a different tournament two weeks prior.” Frey said that the girls had the additional privilege of playing in the Section 7 Showcase, when another team cancelled a couple of days before the event. “Although we had a couple of key players out of town, we were still able to go 2-1. Our girls showed so much grit and tenacity in our last game and win against Ironwood Ridge. With only 7 players available to play, and it being our 7th game in 5 days, we fought our way back in the second half after being down double digits to a good young team. I couldn’t be prouder of our girls for going 4-3 overall in Section 7 play, all against much bigger schools and difficult competition.”

Overall, the Section 7 tournament provided an invaluable experience for both varsity basketball teams at Glendale Prep. Competing against larger schools and showcasing their talents on such a prominent stage not only tested their skills but also brought the teams closer together. The lessons learned, the exposure gained, and the memories created will undoubtedly contribute to their growth and success in the upcoming season. As they carry forward the determination and resilience displayed at Section 7, Glendale Prep’s basketball teams are poised for an exciting and promising future.

Section 7 is a part of the June Scholastic Events that are sanctioned by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and the NCAA. This event is sponsored by the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) and run by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA). The ABCA is a non-profit organization and proceeds from the event go to furthering the growth of basketball in the Arizona community.

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