Marlee Smith is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to Phoenix Country Day School for AZPreps365.com

 

The locker room was silent. Tears fell. Sniffles began to fill the room. 

“You always have game speeches,” coach Shane Lewis said after No. 8 Phoenix Country Day School’s season ended Friday with a 34-29 loss to No. 8 Arizona Lutheran Academy.

“You never have speeches prepared for these moments.”

Lewis addresses the team after the game. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The Eagles finished 13-6. The season had come to a sudden stop.

As the team struggled to hold itself together, the silence continued. 

“Seniors,” said Lewis getting choked up. “Thank you.”

Seniors Griffin Freret and Daniel Gomez smiled.

Gomez and Freret hang their heads after the game. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“Everyone else, you gotta remember what this feels like,” said Lewis. “This has gotta fuel your offseason.” 

The team nodded quietly. The tears continued.   

Juniors Ben Brodsky and Sam Steiner hug each other. Sophomore Sam Tepper smiles. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“Maybe we’ll have a team dinner on Sunday,” said Lewis

"Not Sunday,” interrupted junior Samuel Steiner. “I have dishes to do.”

The team let out a small laugh for the first time together.

Gomez and Lewis hug in the locker room. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“All I can say is thank you guys,” said Gomez, fighting through tears.

“I’m gonna miss you guys next year,” cried sophomore Sam Tepper from the corner.

“Not many teams that lose eight seniors come back like this,” said junior Matthew Linhart.

PCDS players and coaches exchange hugs and wipe away tears together. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

Lewis was greeted with the usual cheers and applause before the game by his team. He had one final piece of advice to offer.

“Be great today,” said Lewis. “Save your best moment for last.”

Lewis watches his team warm up. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The Eagles fought hard but the moment belonged to Arizona Lutheran Academy.

PCDS started off slowly with only five points in the first quarter. After navigating through Lutheran’s defense, the Eagles scored 11 points, going into halftime just one point behind.   

Sophomore Tanti Felli shoots the ball over ALA defenders. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“It’s there for the taking,” said Lewis told his players at halftime. “We didn’t have our best half offensively, but we’re okay. We’ve only given up 17 points, that’s a great number!”

Lewis talks to his team during a time out. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The third quarter was a defensive battle. After four lead changes, the score was tied at 23 to finish the quarter. The frustrated Eagles struggled through the fourth quarter with only six points. 

Miraglia reacts to fouling out. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

With 3:10 left in the game, Miraglia fouled out. “I just kind of went over to him I put my arm around him,” said Tepper. “I was like, ‘You did all you put out there like you've worked your tail off.’ ”

PCDS starters react to losing in the final seconds. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

As the seconds wound down, the point margin grew wider. With 35.2 seconds left, Arizona Lutheran led by five. Lewis put in all the players on the bench, giving the whole team a chance to experience the arena and playoffs. 

Gomez reacts to losing his last game. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“This could be the last one. You never think about it until it's actually over,” said Gomez. “Once it hits zero it finally sets in.”

"Together" for one last time. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“I’ve said it before and I meant it,” Lewis continued. “I love you guys.”

For one last time for the season and their careers, Freret and Gomez led the chant.

“Together on three,” he said. “One, two, three.”

“Together.”