Winter Sports Recap 2020-2021

It was an exciting winter for SBS athletics, with many teams and individuals reaching great heights. Director of Athletics Mike Walker shares his favorite moments of the season, congratulating the teams and coaches for navigating challenges and achieving playoff experiences for our student athletes. 

“The highlight of the soccer season for me was sitting at a women's soccer playoff game watching our women score goal after goal en route to a big playoff victory, and at the same time getting updates from our men's team who was playing their first playoff game in years, forcing overtime against the number one seed in our bracket,” says Mike Walker. He continues, “Our basketball teams were among the top teams in the state for TAPPS 5A. Our women graduated all five starters from a year ago and got right back to the championship game, shocking many along the way. The future is bright for these programs.”

Women’s Basketball

Women’s varsity basketball had 19 wins and 8 losses, finishing 10-0 in district play and finishing as state runner-up. The junior varsity team also had a winning season, with 16 wins and 1 loss. It was a memorable season for SBS women’s basketball with a relatively young team, which started one freshman, two sophomores and one senior. By necessity and skill, freshman Livy Sauvageau took on the point guard position; sophomores Ella Ryan, Kate Marshall, Livi Walker and Molly Johnson worked on the wings and the post. Junior Caitie Torn became the glue that made the offense work and the defense formidable, and junior Chloe Burton was reliable in the post.

Coach John Herndon “CH” shares, “The motto for this team early on was, ‘a little better every day.’ And we really did improve, with practice, patience and commitment. By February, our battle cry became "endurance," based on Hebrews 12.” The team’s lone senior, Leyla Ertan grew to embrace her leadership role as the season progressed. CH describes a touching moment after the final game, saying, “Leyla looked straight into the camera and said, ‘I am so proud of my girls. They're ready to carry on the legacy.’ She is right.” The whole school rallied around the women’s basketball team on their road to the state championship, cheering them on with game day send-offs and homemade signs. Go Eagles!

Men’s Basketball 

Men’s basketball had successful seasons, with varsity earning a 16-8 record and junior varsity with a 13-5 record. On our men’s basketball team, three players made first team all district -- Jordan Williams ‘22, Cole Satterwhite ‘22 and Jackson Krueger ‘23, with Dominic Cestero ‘23 and Elijah Mouton ‘22 making second team all district. Coach Mouton says the highlight of the season was watching the team mature as a group throughout the season. Director of Athletics Mike Walker says, “The men’s basketball team finished second in district and shows great promise for the future.”

Men’s Soccer

Earning a spot in district for the first time in ten years, the men’s soccer team had a successful season despite their 2-13 record. The men’s soccer season highlight, according to coach Doug Walker, was beating Emery 2-0 in a must-win game, ensuring them a playoff spot. He describes the goals of the season, saying, “With a lot of emphasis poured into building a new team culture and program, we saw a lot of growth. We wanted to be a brotherhood, a team who plays for one another and finds joy in one another; we wanted to be excellent and give our best to the Lord in all things. Despite many challenges, the players achieved these goals this year and laid a foundation for a strong program moving forward.”

Women’s Soccer

Leaving the field after a successful winter season with a 13-4 record, the women’s soccer team is excited and energized about a promising future. Coach Geoff Brooks describes the leadership of the junior classmen who carried the team, which had no seniors this year. “Juniors Alexis Gill, Danielle Tacket and Cameron Kelley bonded to create a nearly impenetrable defensive line, along with freshmen Mary Claire Torn and Sarah Corbin and sophomore Isabella Ventura. With Julia Sauvageau ‘22 and Naomi Konuma ‘22, our offense was able to put together an unstoppable force.” Coach Brooks goes on to describe how Julia Sauvageau, a three-sport varsity athlete, “brought an intense competitive spirit to the program. Pinpoint accurate corner kicks, deep crosses from the left and balancing out a defensive hold, are just a few of the skills that made Julia a key member at the core of our soccer program. Whether we were winning or losing, her consistency on the field as a player and a leader was invaluable.”

Swim

This winter, the varsity swim team continued their winning streak at the TAPPS State Swim Meet despite fewer workouts due to Covid restrictions. The women’s swim team finished 6th and the men's team finished 3rd at the state swim meet in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, February 9. The men’s team was awarded the TAPPS State 3rd place plaque, and each swimmer on the team received a bronze medal. 

Golden Girls

In their fifth year at the TAPPS Dance Championships, the Golden Girls competed in the largest category against incredibly talented programs and walked away the first runner-up in a very close finish along with five all-state nominations for Caroline Bolling ‘21, Lauryn Edwards ‘21, Emily Bolling ‘23, Kate Davidson ‘22, and Lauren Schweers ‘23.  The Golden Girls will finish the year with their Spring Show on Monday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in the C Gym. The show includes performances by the Golden Girls, upper school vocalists, varsity cheerleaders and more! Admission is free.