Bronco Athletics

Four Baseball Players Earn All-State Honors, Garcia Named Coach of the Year by AzBCA

The Brophy baseball team had four players named to the 2024 6A Conference All-State teams announced by the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association. Pitchers senior Johnny Casale and junior Benton Hickman were chosen for the first team, while junior pitcher Jack Lafflam and senior Jack Meissner were named to the second team. Head Coach Josh Garcia ‘07 was named the AzBCA 6A Conference State Coach of the Year.

Meissner, a UCSB commit, was named to the all-state team for the second time after earning first-team honors in 2023.

Casale, who has signed with Loyola Marymount, posted an 8-1 record over 11 starts with a 1.78 ERA with 57 strikeouts during the regular season and has won both starts in the postseason without allowing a run over 12 innings in back-to-back shutouts. He was an All-Premier region first-team choice.

Hickman has been dominant all season with a 4-0 record with five saves over 11 appearances out of the bullpen. He was named the Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year. 

Meissner, an All-Premier Region first-team, was second on the team with a .411 average while leading the team in hits (30), runs (29), home runs (4), and RBI (30).

Lafflam went 5-0 on the season with a 1.84 ERA over eight starts. He was an All-Premier first-team selection.

Garcia, who was named the Premier Region Coach of the Year, has led the Broncos to a 24-5 record, the most wins since winning 24 in 2012. The Broncos won their first Premier Region title, posting an 8-0 record in region play. This is the program's first region title since winning the 5A Desert Valley section in 2009. 

The Broncos have been among the top teams in the state rankings all season. They entered the playoffs as the top-ranked team in the state by MaxPreps and the No. 2 overall seed in the 6A Conference. Baseball America ranks them No. 11 in the nation. 

Brophy has opened the playoffs with three straight wins to reach the AIA 6A Conference semifinals on Friday at Hohokam Stadium.

AzBCA Annual Awards

Josh Garcia, AzBCA Coach of the Year 
 
1st Team All-State
Benton Hickman
Johnny Casale 
 
2nd Team All-State
Jack Lafflam
Jack Meissner 

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