Marlee Smith
ASU Student Journalist

The team that does everything together

March 16, 2020 by Marlee Smith, Arizona State University


Marlee Smith/AZPreps365

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

On Black Friday last November, Phoenix Country Day School basketball coach Shane Lewis canceled practice. Instead, he told his team to show up in casual clothes and sneakers and bring $15.

“He told us nothing about what was happening,” said senior Daniel Gomez. “We just got on the bus and left.”

The team parked in a Goodwill parking lot. 

“I knew right away that did not mean good things,” said Gomez.

PCDS players on the bus before team bonding. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

The Goodwill on 35th Avenue and Southern was about to experience something different. 

The team was told to choose a partner and with their $15 make an outfit for each other.

“People were freaking out and just going nuts,” said junior Ben Brodsky.

Ready for a cookout? Feeling in the holiday spirit? Are those wedding bells? 

“We made some crazy outfits,” said sophomore Kiahn Tehranchi.

Tehranchi, Felli, Freret, and Brodsky wait to try on their clothes. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

Lewis’ purpose: team bonding. 

Building team chemistry is a challenge. With different personalities, skill levels, and individual lives, no two high school teams are the same. But when individuals come together to form a team, the outcome can be rewarding. 

“I told them, ‘You’re not gonna remember the games. You’re gonna remember the relationships and the friendships of PCDS basketball for the rest of your life,’” said Lewis.

“Together” (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

As individuals, the players have a variety of interests outside of their school and the team. Most work various jobs to make some money in their free time. 

Sophomore Sam Tepper plays tennis for the school and participates in theatre and speech and debate. Junior Samuel Steiner enjoys gardening and leisurely golfing. Junior Ben Brodsky is a member of the student senate and ran his own business for a while. Junior Chirs Santos likes cars and often goes to car shows. Not only is he in three bands and play multiple instruments, but sophomore Elliott Wessel also runs track and pole vaults.

Sophomore Tanti Felli plays competitive basketball to keep his game sharp and serves as a member of the student senate. Senior Griffin Freret plays soccer, which is also a winter sport. Sophomore Kiahn Tehranchi just likes to focus on basketball and academics. Junior Will Miraglia plays golf for the school. Junior Matthew Linhart and senior Daniel Gomez play baseball together at the school. 

While they all have individual interests, they come together every year to play basketball.

Lewis talks with his team between quarters. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“We’ve been saying 'together ' in this program for 12 years,” said Lewis as he sat back in his office chair. “The reason I use the word together is I want them to know its not my way or the highway, it’s our way.” 

“Together” is said at the end of practices, games, timeouts, huddles, team bondings and team dinners. But there’s a deeper meaning to the word for the Eagles program.

“In November I said, ‘Turn to the person to your left and say ‘I’m playing for you.’ They laugh and giggle because it’s goofy. When we come back in January it gets a little more serious,” said Lewis. “When you do it before a playoff game they’re like ‘I’m playing for you.’ ”

Team culture is the most critical part of a successful team and program, according to Lewis. Teams with chemistry are the ones that stand through the ups and downs of the season; the teams that play together and for each other. 

PCDS players smile and celebrate Gomez’s 1,000th point. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“When people look at a team, they automatically assume it’s a team,” said Gomez. “When we say together, we actually do mean it. When we’re playing on the court and in practice, we’re doing it to benefit each other.” 

“Together for us is about the chemistry,” said Tehranchi. “Being in the locker room, preparing for anything that’s going on.” 

“For us, it's that no one has priority over anyone else,” said Wessel.

“To work hard, get better chemistry for one goal,” said Santos.

“Together means that we’re all in,” said Felli. “It means we can count on each other.”

“We always say this isn’t a team, this is a brotherhood,” said Brodsky.

“We’re in this together,” said Lewis. “We’re going to war together and for each other.” 

Lewis and Gomez hug after Gomez’s 1,000th point. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)But how does a team get to the point of “together”? Lewis, a 22-year veteran coach, knows about team chemistry. The Goodwill trip was his brainstorm. 

“I bought Tanti probably the longest pair of jean shorts on this planet,” said Gomez. He also outfitted his teammate in an '80s style sweater and a visor. “I basically made him look like a cook at a cookout,” said Gomez. 

In return, Felli dressed Gomez in red Hawaiian swim trunks and a blazer with a pink visor. 

“It was kind of a weird frat-boy party mix,” said Gomez

Santos had a fuzzy Santa bra and a traffic guard vest, courtesy of Miraglia. 

Brodsky looked comfortable in pajama pants, a robe, a Mickey Mouse shirt, and a bucket hat, courtesy of Tehranchi. Brodsky returned the favor and outfitted him in girl shorts, a chef shirt and a big leather jacket.

Freret, Tepper, Gomez, Brodsky, and Felli in their Goodwill clothes. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

One team made a promise that didn’t last but made a lasting memory. The senior and sophomore duo of Freret and Tepper went overboard. 

“So we go inside and Griffin and I made a pact: we’re not doing anything over the top, let’s do this together. That just goes flying out the window when he sees a wedding dress,” said Tepper. “He goes, ‘I have to do it, I’m sorry.’ ” 

Freret and Tepper smile together. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)Tepper went to put the clear straps of the dress on, but they wouldn’t fit over his shoulders. So Freret was allowed to go over budget and buy American Flag suspenders. 

“I tried it on in the stall and I came out, it was so stupid, I was literally in a wedding dress,” said Tepper. 

Tepper tried to get back at him and bought an old flowery dress and size 17 shoes. 

“The boys were laughing and taking pictures. People in the store were laughing and taking pictures. It was really fun,” said Lewis.

The team had different opinions about Tepper and his new style.

Tepper in the wedding dress with suspenders. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

“I don’t think any of us are ever gonna forget Tepp in that wedding dress,” said Gomez.

“He really rocked it honestly,” said Brodsky.

“It’s hung up in my closet. It takes a substantial amount of room in there,” said Tepper. “But, I’ll never get rid of it.”

The team together in Goodwill. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

Some teams might shy away from public embarrassment, but the Eagles embraced it. Lewis had a master plan and a reason for his bonding day.

“Yeah, it was stupid,” said Lewis chuckling. “But, it was designed to be stupid and it was fun.” 

Dressed in their oversized pants, sparkling dresses, and brightly colored clothing, the team began phase two: Dairy Queen. 

Who doesn’t love a good treat? Coach treated the players to ice cream. The catch: they had to stay in their chosen outfits.  

“We went to Dairy Queen in the outfits,” said Brodsky. “We went out in public, like that.”

Tepper, Linhart, and Steiner at Dairy Queen. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

The final phase of the day was laser tag. Lewis had strategically chosen an area to have this bonding day with everything in walking distance, parading his crazily dressed team around a few blocks of west Phoenix. 

“We basically crashed a 12-year-old’s party,” said Gomez. 

“All we did was cheat the whole time,” said Felli. “We’d camp out on the little kids and we’d cover our buzzers.” 

“You couldn’t miss me from anywhere. I was wearing a white dress,” said Tepper. “After we came out there are like footprints all over the dress. It was so dirty.”

The hilarious day led to good fun and solid footing to start the season with. Goodwill day stuck with the team.

The team dressed in their chosen outfits from Goodwill. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

“It was all for fun. We all learned about each other from it and connected as a team,” said Felli. 

“It’s way more than basketball,” said Lewis. “And that’s what makes this group special. They love what they do.”

The fun at Goodwill didn’t end there. Before senior night, the team went back to Goodwill to get a few things for the seniors.

Not only did the Eagles celebrate their seniors Gomez and Freret in their final home game on senior night, but Gomez hit his 1,000th point. 

A bundle of presents from Goodwill for the seniors was hidden in a bathroom stall in the locker room.

“We tried to keep the seniors’ best interest in mind,” said junior Sam Steiner.

Juniors Steiner, Santos, Linhart, Brodsky, and Miraglia carry out the senior’s first gifts. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The team laughed hysterically as paintings were given to Gomez and Freret. 

“Is that shattered?” asked Freret. 

“We may have had a little incident,” said Santos.

“Wait, you had to buy it because you cracked it?” asked Gomez.

Steiner presents a cracked painting to Freret. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

Gomez and Freret exchanged smiles and laughs, a bittersweet moment for the two senior leaders. Miraglia presented the next gift.

“Griffin, while we were at Goodwill we saw a half-eaten pizza. We wanted to buy it but we couldn't,” said Miraglia. “So we saw this right next to it. It’s a Potato Express baked potato sleeve so you can make a baked potato in four minutes."

Miraglia presents Freret with the Potato Express. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The team oohed and aahed as Brodsky presented Freret with a mallard box filled with checker chips. Next came a walker.

Brodsky presents Freret with checker chips in a Mallard box. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“You both have had various health issues this season,” said Brodsky. “So you may actually need this down the road.”

Brodsky walks with Gomez’s walker before presenting. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

Steiner knew Freret was a fan of technology so he presented Freret with a Sony Boombox clear radio from 2003. 

“DUDE,” yelled Gomez. “I used to have one of those!”

“And I would like to add the best part is it’s clear so you can take it to prison if you want to,” said Santos. 

Freret smiles at his new radio. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

For one last time, the juniors ran back for their largest gift and the grand finale. 

“Close your eyes,” they yelled.

“This gift is from the whole team,” said Brodsky as two of them brought out a desk.

Linhart and Miraglia carry the desk from the bathroom stall. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

“Oh my God,” said Gomez. “Do you see how freakin' dirty that is?”

Gomez, Freret, and Tepper laugh as the seniors are presented a desk. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

The team spent a total of about $100 on their seniors for senior night.

Those gifts included: a recorder, a desk, a walker, a painting, a framed photo, a cross-stitched rose, an old radio, a golf club, a Marie Curie book, a mallard box with checkers chips, and a Potato Express baked potato sleeve. 

The team smiles with the seniors and their presents. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)

PCDS finished 19-11, one of the best records in school history, and a No. 9 seed in the 2019-2020 2A playoffs. 

Together, the team made memories, friendships, and played a little basketball along the way. Asked to describe the team with one word they said:

The team before their final game in February. (Photo courtesy of Shane Lewis)

“Goofy,” said Gomez.

“Helpful,” said Freret.

“Good,” said Miraglia.

“Community,” said Steiner.

“Close,” said Brodsky.

“Invested,” said Santos.

“Chemistry,” said Linhart.

“Loud,” said Wessel. 

“Brotherhood,” said Tepper.

“Intense,” said Felli

“Enthusiastic,” said Tehranchi.

“Special,” said Lewis. 

“Together” for one last time. (Marlee Smith/AZPreps365)“Just being around them every day. They bring out the best in each other. They bring out the best in me. They’re just delightful,” said Lewis.

The tradition of together will always define the Eagles program - a team rooted in the word together.