Gonzaga High School Basketball 2009-2010

If I could choose my dream job, the one thing that I'd do for the rest of my life is document the seasons of various sports teams. From practice to preseason to post season celebration, or dejection in some cases. I'd like to be there and be the eyes for the people who weren't. I had the opportunity to do that in a less committed capacity with the Gonzaga High School Purple Eaglesvarsity basketball team. During my time there, it was interesting to see the joys of the highs and the disappointment of the lows. They put a lot of hard work and passion into winning and being the best team that they can be, and it shows when I take a look back into the season I just shot.

The Gonzaga Eagles were one of the best basketball teams in the Washington DC metro area this year and have been for years now. They are even considered one of the top programs in the country as they travel during the Christmas holiday competing and defeating some of the country's best teams.

The Purple Eagles finished this season 28-7 and ranked 23rd in the nation according toMaxPreps.com. They lost the WCAC championship to DeMatha but exacted some revenge shortly after defeating them in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. I created and published a book chronicling this years team and you can preview the whole book here. Shout out to coach Steve Turner and the Gonzaga Eagles. See y'all next year...well, some of y'all.

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St. Mary's Ryken @ Gonzaga Basketball WCAC Quarterfinal

The end of February and the beginning of March usually kicks off the high school basketball championship season. I shot a few of those games.

In a game that was closer than the score suggests, Gonzaga beat St. Mary's Ryken 65-48. Ryken's missed free throws were the story of the game. Read a blurb about it here.

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Bishop McNamara vs. Gonzaga WCAC Boys Semifinal

Gonzaga advanced to the final game beating McNamara 80-63. McNamara guard Marcus Thornton (24), equipped with the purest of jump shots scored 35 points including eight three-pointers. But the real story was the ankle injury to super sophomore Kris Jenkins (2) of Gonzaga. As a result, he couldn't play during the championship game that Gonzaga eventually lost.

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Gonzaga @ Archbishop Carroll Football

Nice sunny day, nice blue sky. Yesterday, Washington DC kind of reminded me of this place. But I'm done talking about old stuff. Gonzaga and Archbishop Carroll played a rare Monday high school football game that was postponed because of the terrible weather this past weekend. On paper, I don't know if Carroll was supposed to be in the game as long as they were (14-13 Gonzaga in the 3rd quarter). Eventually, Gonzaga pulled away and went home with the 34-14 victory. Shout out to tight ends. I've never played quarterback (well I've never even played organized football) but it seems like there is no target like a big target.


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Gonzaga DC Classic: Day 3

Another Saturday, another 8 hours shooting high school basketball. This time it was another tournament/showcase with the word "classic" in it's title. The Gonzaga DC Classic. Mater Dei (CA), Jesuit College Prep (TX), Calvert Hall (Baltimore) and Iona (NY) were the visiting teams and Chantilly, Sidwell Friends, Bishop McNamara and Gonzaga played the locals. The games progressed in interestingness as the night went on and Gonzaga and Mater Dei didn't disappoint in the championship game. Gonzaga took the crown in their own tournament with a 62-59 victory. The players celebrated the mid-season tournament victory like it was a real championship so I'm guessing it was a pretty big win for the Purple Eagles. Shout out to Bender Arena...so many places to shoot from. Especially when it is mostly empty.

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Gonzaga DC Classic Dynasty

For the 5th year in a row, Gonzaga College High School has taken the championship trophy home from the Gonzaga DC Classic basketball tournament. They beat a good Charlotte Christian team54-49 in the championship game at Bender Arena. Shout out to hosting and winning your own tournaments (against pretty good out of town teams).

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O'Connell @ Gonzaga Basketball

I got home Thursday and was back sitting on the hardwood floor Friday night. Gonzaga played a home game against O'Connell which boasts a rivalry in a rivalry. Gonzaga's point guard, Tyler Thornton, is headed to Duke next season while O'Connell's floor leader, Kendall Marshall, will be attending UNC. O'Connell started strong and never really let up although Gonzaga got within striking distance late. It turned out to be Gonzaga's 4th loss of the season but they still go into the play-offs as the #2 seed behind DeMatha. It's the time of year again. Win or go home. Shout out to senior night.

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Good Counsel @ Gonzaga Basketball

In the WCAC, anyone can win on any given night. And Friday night, it showed. Gonzaga, a perennial favorite in this league were against the ropes during their game against Good Counsel. They ended up squeezing out a win with big help from guards Tyler Thornton (24 points) and Cedrick Lindsay (23 points). The team stayed calm and it paid off in the end. On to the next. Tonight they play rival Bishop O'Connell out in old Virginny. Shout out to coach Steve Turner for the access. There will be more this season.


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O'Connell vs. Gonzaga Soccer @ RFK Stadium

Ok, near RFK Stadium. Gonzaga College High School plays their soccer home games at the auxiliary fields of RFK, probably where some derivative versions of DC United hold practice. The actual game was second place to the great in your face setting sun that was just hitting the field at the right angle. O'Connell took a 5-0 loss to Gonzaga on this beautiful day. Shout out to headers but not to possible concussions.

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Gonzaga vs. DeMatha basketball

Last year, they competed in a thriller for the championship. Last Friday was no different, except it was still the regular season. Gonzaga and DeMatha will most likely play two more times this year: once in the regular season and once again for the championship. I'll check back later this month if my prediction holds true. If not, then I never said it.

Gonzaga was loose before the game but was able to pull it out in the end. Read about it here. Shout out to the next two times these teams play.


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