Emily Carman is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Casteel High School for AZPreps365.com

On March 10, the Casteel girls basketball team was at practice, preparing for its upcoming state quarterfinal matchup, when they were called off the court by their coaches. 

“We didn't really know what to expect when we walked into our team room and we saw all of our coaches and administrators in there,” senior guard Daeja Johnson said.

The No. 1-seeded Colts had just defeated 16-seed Paradise Valley, 76-52, in the first round of the playoffs. But, the locker room meeting changed that result. 

The Colts were forced to forfeit their playoff win due to a self-reported AIA violation. 

Their season was over. 

“None of us saw it coming,” Johnson said. “We were there, focused on our end goal, and then it was over.” 

Up until that point, the Colts had been undefeated, 16-0. At the time, they believed they were capable of overcoming any adversity and earning a state championship.

“That was the second time, you know, we had had to sit that group down and tell them they weren't going to get to play basketball anymore,” coach Daniel Trageser said.  “We had talked all season, and I think even a week before, about adversity and how it shapes you as a person.”

For the past year, the team had been dealing with COVID-19 restrictions and postponements, but they never let it bring them down. 

“In a way, COVID really helped us come together,” Johnson said. “We becoame tight- knit through Zoom calls and coaches meetings and by doing at-home workouts and I think without those things, we wouldn't have been so successful.”

Though the already-difficult season came to an abrupt end, the Colts achieved some great accomplishments, like going undefeated in the regular season for the first time in the program's six-year history. 

“Despite everything, we got a lot out of the season,” Johnson said. “It's not like our season was pointless even though we didn’t win a championship. We achieved a lot.”

Three Colts, including Johnson, Tragaser and senior guard Autymn Franks, received recognition from the 5A conference, and Johnson's and Trageser also received nominations from The Arizona Republic.

Autymn Franks - 5A Offensive Player of the Year

Franks was very surprised to be named the 5A Offensive Player of the Year. 

“She's always looked at herself as more of a defensive player,” Trageser said.

Franks was named regional Defensive Player of the Year for the 3A Metro conference as a freshman. This season, she led the 5A San Tan conference in steals, averaging over five per game, and is ranked No. 14 in the state for steals. It’s no wonder she considers herself a strong defender. 

But, being recognized as Offensive Player of the Year was no mistake. 

Franks ranked second in assists in the 5A Conference and she ranked seventh in scoring. Statewide, she was 13th in assists. 

“I did a pretty good job this year of setting my teammates up, getting them a shot,” Franks said. “It’s my job as a point guard to set my teammates up. One of the joys of playing this season was I got to see my teammates succeed.”     

Trageser believes Frank’s all-around efficiency was instrumental to the team's success.  

“People now recognize that she is more than just this great defender,” he said. “She’s also a part of what I would argue is the best backcourt in the state. It just speaks to her whole game. She can do everything.” 

Franks has been recognized for her accomplishments on the court before, but this year’s recognition is especially meaningful. 

“It’s just a great accomplishment knowing that I can leave on a happy note considering I'm not going to pursue basketball in my future,” Franks said. 

Franks made the hard decision to leave basketball behind so she can focus on academics. The fact that she won’t continue playing also made the season’s unexpected ending even more disappointing for her.  

“I was quite devastated sitting in that room, hearing that the season was over,” she said. “I thought ‘That was actually my last game playing basketball. That was my last time ever stepping on the court with my friends. I won't ever have that experience again.’”

While Franks was upset about the abrupt ending to her basketball career, she is still proud of her season. 

“At the end of the day, we realize that our season didn't go to waste,” she said. “We got a lot out of our season and we accomplished things we never really thought we would have accomplished.”

Franks plans to pursue a degree in neonatology, the medical care of newborns. She has not yet decided what university she will be attending. 

Daeja Johnson - 5A Player of the Year, AZ Republic Player of the Year Candidate

Before each season, Johnson makes a list of goals she hopes to accomplish. This year, being named 5A Player of the Year was one of those goals. 

“I knew I had a good chance of getting it if I worked hard and did all the little things,” Johnson said. “It just feels really good because of all of the work that I put in over the summer,  just focusing on my weaknesses and getting better in any way that I could.”

Johnson led the 5A conference in scoring, averaging over 22 points per game. Statewide,  she ranked sixth in scoring.

“She can shoot the ball man,” laughed Trageser. “And she’s super efficient. She was making over 50% of her shots from the field, scoring 22 points per game on 10 to 12 shots.”    

Johnson has received recognition before. Last year, she was named second team all conference and was named the 5A San Tan regional player of the year. 

Trageser believes this year’s recognition is well-deserved.  

“She's always in the gym working on her game, doing everything to be better,” he said. “During the pandemic other people took time off. She was in the gym, whether she found an open gym at a church or she was just at a park shooting and getting workouts. She never used that time to relax.”

In addition to being named 5A Player of the Year, Johnson has been nominated  for the Arizona Republic’s high school girls basketball Player of the Year. The winner of this award will be announced on July 19 as part of Arizona High School Sports Awards. 

Johnson plans to continue playing basketball upon graduation. She is committed to play at Colorado State-Pueblo. 

“What stood out to me with Colorado Pueblo is that they didn’t have a lot of commits coming in and I was able to form a great relationship with the coaching staff since we have the same mindset when it comes to basketball,” Johnson said. “I'm so excited for a new start and to meet new teammates in the fall.” 

Trageser says he will continue to follow Johnson’s career going forward and that he looks forward to her success. 

“She's going to be successful because she has the best character traits,” he said. “Whether it's basketball, a job, relationships, whatever,  she's going to be successful because she does things the right way.”

Daniel Trageser - 5A San Tan Coach of the Year, AZ Republic Coach of the Year Candidate   

Trageser has been the girls basketball head coach at Casteel for the past three years. 

This year, he received his first regional recognition as the 5A San Tan coach of the year. Trageser said the recognition is simply a reflection on his players. 

“For me, the person who wins coach of the year has the team of the year,” he said. “That person has the best kids and I think I have the best kids, so I appreciate the nomination. That's not why I do the job though.” 

Rather than be recognized as Coach of the Year, Trageser said he would have liked to see his team at the state championship. 

“It’s nice and all, but I would have enjoyed seeing this group of girls celebrate on the floor together with a trophy even more,” he said. “Much rather than having a couple pieces of paper to hang on the wall.”

It was Trageser’s violation of the AIA’s prior contact rule that prematurely ended the Colts' season. The rule prohibits athletes from transferring into high school programs led by coaches they play for in club.

According to a letter from Casteel Principal Jayson Phillips, and an investigation by district athletic officials and the AIA, Trageser was found to be in violation of the rule due to his involvement with a local club basketball team. 

Though Trageser did not directly coach any of the athletes on the club team, his role as a supervisor in the club was found to have violated the prior-contact rule. 

The player or players involved with the club and the Casteel program were not identified. 

Trageser said he was disappointed in the season's early end because of its impact on the players, whom he believed were state championship material. 

“It really breaks my heart that they didn't have the opportunity to finish what they started or the chance to go out there and perform on the big stage and show how special they are,” he said. “I'm obviously a little bit biased but I think they were going to get that championship. The hardest part is knowing that they didn't get that chance.” 

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Trageser is extremely proud to have coached this group. 

“I say all the time that I’ve got the best five kids on the court at all times,” he said. “And not just the best basketball players but the best kids. And that’s the reason why they have had so much success.”

Trageser has also been nominated by the Arizona Republic as the high school girls basketball coach of the year. The winner of this award will be announced along with the selection of the All-Arizona girls basketball team on April 21.