Baseball’s Casale Named to Arizona Republic All-Arizona Team
The Arizona Republic announced that senior Johnny Casale was named to the All-Arizona team. The 12 players are finalists for Player of the Year, who will be named during the Sports Awards Show on June 17.
Benton Hickman and Jack Meissner were named to the honorable mention team.
Casale, who has signed with Loyola Marymount, posted an 8-2 record over 12 starts with a 1.82 ERA with 62 strikeouts. He hit .329 on the season with six doubles and nine RBI. He was also an All-Premier region first-team choice, earning AzBCA and AIA 6A Conference all-state first-team honors. He played in the AzBCA 6A Conference All-Star game on May 27, earning Most Valuable Player accolades after going 1-for-3 with 2 RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base. He struck three batters in one inning pitched out of the bullpen.
Hickman had a dominant season with a 4-0 record, and five saves over 13 appearances, and a 1.33 ERA out of the bullpen. He was named the Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year on the AzBCA first-team all-state team.
Meissner, a UCSB commit, was named to the AzBCA and AIA 6A Conference all-state second teams this season, earning all-state honors for the second time after being a first-team selection in 2023. Meissner was also an All-Premier Region first-team choice, ranking second on the team with a .398 average while leading the team in hits (39), runs (29), home runs (4), RBI (31) and stolen bases (8). He also played in the AzBCA 6A Conference All-Star game,
This morning, Brophy College Preparatory proudly hosted its New Student Convocation, a cherished tradition that prayerfully welcomes new students and their families into the Brophy community. This year’s convocation was particularly special, as it marked the arrival of the Class of 2028, coinciding with the school’s centennial year, as well as the Loyola Academy Scholar Class of 2031.
The ceremony included a prayerful reflection, highlighting the school’s commitment to faith and the Jesuit tradition. The event concluded with a blessing for the new students and their families, setting a positive and hopeful tone for the years to come. As the Class of 2028 begins its journey at Brophy, and the Loyola Academy Scholars continue their academic path, they do so with the full support of the Brophy community.
Brophy College Preparatory marked the beginning of the school year with the annual Back to School Bash, a signature event designed to foster connections between the incoming Class of 2028 and their Big Brothers. The event was a tremendous success, offering a day filled with activities aimed at building camaraderie and community.
Students participated in a variety of water-themed activities, with the highlight being the giant water slides set up on Brophy’s baseball field. The pool area was also a popular spot, providing a refreshing way to celebrate the start of the new academic year. Lively music, engaging games and a festive atmosphere contributed to a day of smiles and new friendships.
It’s clear that the students are ready for an exciting year ahead
Brophy College Preparatory celebrated its 76th commencement on the morning of Saturday, May 18, in Robson Gymnasium. This graduation was significant for the Class of 2024, who began their high school journey at the height of the pandemic.
The Class of 2024 demonstrated resilience and connection despite the challenges of starting their education online. Their unity and adaptability were evident throughout their time at Brophy, embodying their class theme: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Valedictorian Doer Leo He delivered a memorable speech, drawing parallels to the movie "Finding Nemo" and encouraging his classmates to persevere with the phrase, "Just keep swimming." President Bob Ryan and Principal Jim Bopp also spoke, highlighting the graduates' close bonds and urging them to be agents of positive change.
The ceremony concluded with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment, celebrating the Class of 2024's journey and the ties that bind.