Sports
SPORTS
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022
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Chandler teen among those honored Super Bowl week BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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iego Foster was admittedly shocked when he was told he would be one of just 10 Hispanic student-athletes honored in Los Angeles during Super Bowl week. He had applied on a longshot, knowing that his chances of being picked out of the more than 30,000 applicants would be slim. But he remained hopeful. The Chandler native and senior at Tempe Prep spent a week in Los Angeles, home to Super Bowl LVI. On Feb. 8, he was a part of a ceremony where one student-athlete was named a national recipient of the annual Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. “It feels amazing. When I found out I was a finalist in the first place, I was like, ‘Oh, wow,’” Foster said. “I worked
really hard on the essays because I knew that was how they would really see me as a person. Finding out about it was so shocking. Even then, when I realized I was a finalist and found out about the Super Bowl experience, I was in disbelief. “I knew working hard in high school and even before that would bring me good things.” Foster first heard of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards last year as a junior in high school from one of his friends. Chandler native and Tempe Prep senior Diego Foster was among the 10 applicants chosen as finalist for the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards in the Sports & Fitness category. Foster flew to Los Angeles and took part in the ceremony, which was held Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of the Super Bowl Experience. (Courtesy Diego Foster)
Every year different categories of students have the opportunity to receive the award. A guidance counselor at Tempe Prep walked him through the process. He didn’t hesitate to get going. A quarterback on the football team and Monmouth College commit in baseball, Foster applied under the Sports & Fitness category, which is hosted by the NFL this year. He went through a rigorous application process, which includes a resume showcasing his 4.3 weighted GPA. He also had to answer five essay questions. After a few months, he received the call. It was a special moment for the senior, who had the opportunity to bring a guest. He chose his grandfather, Kevin English, who he said has made a dramat-
see SUPER BOWL page 32
Valley Christian basketball setting sights on gold ball BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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reg Haagsma had to rebuild the entire boys’ basketball roster at Valley Christian heading into the 2021-22 season. The head basketball coach and school athletic director graduated 10 of the 12 players on a team that lost just one game all year. But that lone loss came during the playoffs, cutting short the Trojans’ bid for a 3A state title. Haagsma welcomed in a number of new players to the varsity level – four of which are freshman that see a considerable amount of playing time and have made a dramatic impact. He also welcomed in transfers Caleb and Luke Shaw from PHH Prep and Jaylen Lee from Canada. The result: Valley Christian is now one
From left: Valley Christian sophomore Luke Shaw, senior Caleb Shaw and junior Jaylen Lee have been leaders for head coach Greg Haagsma’s program this season as they prepare to enter the playoffs as one of the top teams in 3A and the state. (Dave Minton/Staff)
of the top teams in the state, let alone the 3A Conference. “We’re a little more athletic at the top this year,” Haagsma said. “We’ve had teams that were just as skilled. But when you combine all the different aspects of what makes a basketball team good, I would say this team probably has it in the athleticism category. That’s what makes them different from some of the teams in the past.” Valley Christian took the summer circuit by storm, competing at a high level at Section 7, the massive multi-state tournament that returned this past year after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Trojans faced a variety of out-of-state teams at State Farm Stadium and neighboring Kellis High School in Glendale for the tournament.
see VALLEY page 32
