In an incredible postseason run, the CJ Eagles boys basketball team has earned District and Regional championships on their run to State, making them the ninth CJ team in history to make it to the final four.
As the team prepares for the semi final round, their mindset remains the same: to improve each day, each practice, and with every game.
“As a coach, you hope the team is playing its best basketball and really hitting their stride during the postseason,” said Charlie Szabo, head coach. “We do our best to make every day and every game better than the last.”
Throughout their postseason run, the team implements lessons learned to bring their next best game to the court with a unified approach.
“We’ve had a lot of tough tests in this postseason that have made us stronger. Surviving each round together has brought us even closer,” he said.
Szabo credits the leadership of the senior team members and the cohesiveness of the basketball team as a whole to this postseason success. The team has continued to grow closer with each game.
“This season has been an experience beyond amazing not only for me personally, but to be able to go through it with my team,” said George Washington III ‘23, senior team member recently nominated as
Gatorade's Player of the Year. “We have made a run that a lot of people dream of making and it could not be with a better group of guys than this team.”
With an air of excitement around practice this week, the team is working hard to prepare for Friday’s game and is confident in their readiness to go out and perform to the best of their abilities.
“I plan on putting my all into this game and playing hard along with my team,” said Evan Dickey ‘23, senior member of the team.
“Watching the basketball team's State run has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Anthony Turner, director of athletics. “From the summer league shootouts, leading all the way up to now. Coach Szabo and his staff have done a great job of making the details matter, and you can see it in how they play and how they carry themselves both on and off the court.”
CJ Final Four Send Off Event
Come cheer on the team as CJ sends them off to the Final Four tournament in true Eagle spirit.
Where: Washington Street, outside of CJ
When: Friday, March 17 at 8:20 a.m.
What: The Eagles basketball team will depart from CJ with a police escort promptly at 8:40 a.m. Bring your spirit gear, wear your blue and green, and make some noise as we send off the team!
Chaminade Julienne State Qualifying Teams
1966
1969
1970
1989
1991
2004
2015
2021
2023