AOS Athletics had a strong winter season with four teams ending the year with winning records and one conference runner-up finish. Navigating the landscape of COVID variances and fluctuating protocols didn’t stop our Dolphins from giving their best effort in practice and fighting to the final buzzer in each game.
When teams on any level have great success, it is usually a combination of dedication, desire, skill, hard work, and a bit of luck. The ball didn’t always bounce our way this winter season, but the other components of success couldn’t have been more evident. We are so proud of our teams and each student athlete. The progress they made was evident by the blood, sweat, and tears they left on the court and field. On Monday, February 14, we held an awards ceremony to celebrate our athletes. Click here to see all of our award recipients!
Winter Season Team Recaps
Boys Soccer
JV boys soccer opened the season with an impressive win over Western Academy. One thing that set this group apart from any others was that it didn’t matter if the score was close or not. They played with determination and a will to win, as if each game was the championship. Coach Turley and Coach Barrett fueled this same culture throughout the boys program, as our Varsity boys played with the same grit and mindset. After a strong win over Presbyterian, the Varsity boys followed that up with a tremendous 5-0 win over HYCA in the Spirit Game.
Girls Soccer
Our Varsity girls soccer team, led by Coach Shah, and composed of 7th- and 8th-grade students, held their own against a strong conference field this season. The team finished with a 5-7 record. The team opened the season with a 6-0 win over Emery-Weiner. The girls then matched that victory with wins over Awty, HCYA, Duchesne, and John Cooper. Led by determined defense and midfield play from key 8th-grade students, the 7th-grade students on the team are poised to move up next year and continue the path back to the top of the conference.
Boys Basketball
Boys basketball teams, under the leadership of Coach Begg, and assisted by our new coach to the program, Coach James, made great progress this season. Both the Varsity White and Blue teams finished above or near .500, and each team closed the regular season with three consecutive wins over tough opponents. The Varsity Blue team made it to the HJPC tournament, but lost in the first round to a tough Awty team. Our JV boys made a strong showing by closing out the season with four wins over teams from Presbyterian, River Oaks Baptist, and Kinkaid, and finishing with a 9-6 record. The future looks bright for the AOS boys basketball program.
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball teams, coached by Coach Muschalik and Coach Austin, hit the ground running and continued to grow and improve. JV Blue opened up with three wins including a big Spirit Game victory over Awty. The team struggled a bit during the middle stretch of the season, but then turned it around going 3-1 in their final four games. JV White girls improved with each game. In the final outing of the season, they celebrated their hard work with a 22-7 win over St. Mark’s. Our Varsity girls began the season with some ups and downs, but after a disappointing first round loss at the Kinkaid tournament, they got to work. From December 4 up to the second to last game of the season, the team never lost another game in that 12-0 stretch. In the HJPC championship game, the Dolphins got off to a slow start, but finished strong. Unfortunately, the team from Second Baptist ended up with the win. Despite not winning the championship, the Varsity girls basketball team had an exceptional season finishing 15-5 overall, and walking away with the HJPC Runner-up title.