Athletics
The high school varsity girls' basketball team, coached by Lonnie Tvrdy, had won the Arizona state championship four years in a row from 2005–2008, but were eliminated from the championship in February 2009. The high school varsity girls Cross-Country team also placed second at the 2011 State Meet at Cave Creek Golf Course for Division IV. The Pusch Ridge Baseball team, coached by former major league pitcher Doug Jones, won the Arizona 2A state championship in 2009. The following year led by head coach Mark Frithsen the Lions had an undefeated season until reaching the Final 4 before being defeated. 2011 saw limited success for the Lions who finished with a losing record but still managed to make the playoffs lead by senior captains Kory Santaella, Colin Chafin, and Alfonso Ferrari. In the 2012 baseball season Pusch Ridge made it to the state playoffs again but lost in the third round. The team is coached by Mark Frithsen and Scott Polston. Lions football has seen great success in their history. Most success came with Bob Vance at the helm. Making the playoffs and going undefeated in regional play for three straight years. Notable football players in Vance's tenure were Greg Schimke, Ryan Polston, Andy Knox, Tyler Vance, Trevor Cook, Tyler Goodwillie, Ryan Tanner, John Jackson, Alfonso Ferrari, Colin Chafin, Ryan Alexander, Daniel Simmons, as well as others. Schimke, Knox, and Simmons all went on to play college football.
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