The Central Coast Section, CIF proudly recognized 3 Priory athletic teams for outstanding scholastic accomplishment while participating in varsity interscholastic athletics.
Congratulations to girls basketball coach Buck Matthews who was named Prep2Prep Coach of the Year for the Central Coast Section, and CalHi Sports Coach of the Year for the state for Division V!
For the first time in Priory athletics history, the girls basketball team took to the floor at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento for the State Championship Game. With a large pack of fans cheering them on, the team played hard and with all their heart every minute of the game. Unfortunately in the end, Priory just couldn't close out the game with the win. Priory lost to Rolling Hills Prep 57-53. With only one Senior on the team, the future looks promising for this young team!
With a 59-58 win over Bradshaw Christian in the NorCal Finals, the Girls Basketball team is headed to the State Championship game! Priory will take on Rolling Hills Prep on March 23rd at 10am at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. This is a historic moment for the girls basketball program with a NorCal Championship and trip to State! Good luck girls! Go Panthers!
No.16 seed Priory took on the No.1 seed in the opening round of the Division II soccer playoffs. Live Oak, despite completing the regular-season with an impressive 16-1-2 record, had all it could handle with the 9-8 Panthers. Anysa Gray scored twice to give Priory a 2-0 halftime lead. Live Oak struck first in the second half. making the score 2-1, but Priory answered with another goal by Anysa. With a solid defensive effort it looked like Priory was in control, but Live Oak struck with a goal to make it 3-2. A questionable hand ball in the box gave Live Oak a penalty kick to even the score. Regulation ended with a 3-3 tie, sending the game into overtime. The girls played two 10 minute over time periods without a score. Then, after two 5 minute over time periods, the game ended at 3-3. After the first round of penalty kicks, the score was still tied. The second round would decide the game, with Live Oak winning 6-5 in penalty kicks, and advancing to the quarter finals.
It was a great season for the girls, just one season after winning the lower division in the WBAL. They finished in 3rd place in the upper division and qualified for the CCS playoffs for the first time since 2014. The future is very bright for this team and we are very proud of them!
In a historic night, both the girls and boys teams won the CCS Division V Championship for the first time.
Priory girls defeated Castilleja, 71-32, to win their second straight Central Coast Section Division V championship. Tatiana Reese, scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds and recorded five assists against the Gators. Ila Lane added 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Panthers. Lala Niu had 13 points and six rebounds. In fact, 10 of the 11 players who got into the game scored. Gabby Ruiz had eight points, six rebounds, three assists and blocked a shot. Anna Barton added seven rebounds, a blocked shot and four points. Shannon Fitzgerald had six rebounds, a steal and an assist.
Then the boys battled a very familar opponent in Pinewood. The two teams split in the regular season, and both games were close. This game was no different, going down the the final minutes, ending with 41-36 Priory victory. Emmanuel Ajanku-Makun grabbed 12 rebounds and had four blocked shots. Ayo Aderoboye Aderoboye was the focal point of Pinewood's defense, which worked to an extent. He only made three baskets, two of them 3-pointers. But he also made all nine of his free throws and finished with 17 points. Lucas Harris and Adrian LaValle nailed huge shots that sealed the deal down the stretch.
Next up is the NorCal playoffs. Both the girls and the boys have been moved up to Division IV. The girls are the #1 seed and host #16 Moreau Catholic on March 7th at 7:00pm. The #10 seeded boys travel to #7 Calaveras on the same day for a 7:00pm game. Calaveras is located at 350 High School Street in San Andreas, CA 95249.
Good luck to both teams as they take the next step to the State Championship!
The Priory athletic program offers a full range of experiences, with an emphasis on developing a healthy, active lifestyle as well as athletic skills. In team sports, coaches reward sportsmanship, commitment, dedication and hard work. Many of our coaches are also faculty members, and students enjoy the relationships that are developed away from the classrooms. Middle and High School teams are competitive and often are in league playoffs. The best teams and athletes compete at regional and state levels. Top High School athletes are recruited by and play on college teams. See our outstanding alumni athletes, playing on incredible teams, on the Hall of Fame page!
Priory believes that interscholastic athletics are an integral part of our school's commitment to developing the student as a whole person. Our program offers all students a competitive experience placing an emphasis on the Benedictine values of spirituality, hospitality, integrity, individuality, and community.
God works in us, through us, and for us. Our athletic programs provide a guiding framework for learning lifelong lessons and educating the mind, body and spirit in all of our students.
ll are welcomed with honor and respect. The Priory's flexible, small school environment encourages the development of each student's unique athletic strengths. Our all-inclusive philosophy to team sport participation allows all students to explore their individual athletic interests. Visiting schools are treated graciously.
Learning flourishes in an environment of honesty, trust and personal responsibility. Our athletic programs focus on competing fairly, treating others with respect, and honoring commitments.
Every student has gifts to be discovered, nurtured, and treasured. Every student has the opportunity to test his/her own personal limits through athletic training; to develop the character and self-confidence that result from participating in athletic competition; and to experience the joy, empowerment and personal growth that accompany athletic excellence.
Together we find strength and purpose in supporting one another. Our athletic programs are a valuable part of the Priory community. Athletic teams at Priory foster strong camaraderie and lifelong friendships, while also developing teamwork and sportsmanship in the pursuit of excellence. Our students compete with pride and honor for Priory, and demonstrate an intense commitment and loyalty to both their team and their school.