February madness was in full swing this year at Prep. Both our girls and boys basketball teams had terrific years. They might have started off shaky, but both teams caught fire late in their seasons and ran with it the rest of the way. The squads both played in the overall state championships on Saturday, making 2020 the first time in recent memory that both teams have made it to the championship match. 

The girls started Saturday by playing Pillow Academy. Seniors Campbell Perkins, Julia Zoubokus, Mackenzie Shoemaker, Caroline Dreher, Allie Wise, and Anna Grace Morgan were ready to leave it all on the court. Led by seasoned veteran coach Durwin Carpenter, Pillow has been the standard of excellence for years in MAIS girls basketball. Prep played them really close in the 1st half, exiting the first two quarters of play down 24-22. However, the second half was all Pillow. Prep just could not keep up with the firepower of the Mustangs, who had perhaps their entire student body at the game. While the final score might not have shown it, this Prep team played their hearts out. The whole year they had been doubted and written off, only to defy expectations time after time. Coach McAnally and his senior-laden squad had one of the best years in Prep history. This future is bright for the lady patriots with dynamic scorers Olivia Smith, Andie Flatgard, Olivia Sasser coming back next year. 

The boys’ game followed, and it was highly anticipated. This is the best boys’ basketball season since 2012. Led by Andrew Purvis, Alexander Payne, and Sam Buchanan, this team was ready for war against Simpson academy. Simpson started off on fire, though, making 3 pointers like they were uncontested layups. They came out with a 12-3 lead, and it was 26-19 at the half. Coach Wise brought his team back close, but Simpson just stayed hot. At the sound of the final buzzer, the score was 45-32 in favor of the Cougars. While many believe that this year was just a fluke, it was the furthest thing from it. This boys team, much like the girls, started off shaky and fought the adversity the whole way. This team’s future is very bright. With guards Cam Brent and Jaylen Bolden returning, along with forwards Lampton Moore and Walker Craddock, the team looks to be in good shape next season. 

While Prep might have gone 0-2 on Saturday, they surprised a lot of people by even making it this far. Both teams played with tremendous heart and were fun to watch the entire season. The entire Prep student body was beyond proud of both of our teams. Thanks to the help of both squads’ seniors, it looks like we might be competing for trophies for years to come.