CAA Student Athlete and Coach Spotlight

This week we are pleased to feature the Division 3, High School Boys Basketball, All-State player of the year and coach of the year in our weekly spotlight. Congratulations to student-athlete Kahan Shoulders and coach Derek Freeman.

Player of the Year: Kahan Shoulders

Kahan is 17 years old and currently in his senior year at San Tan. His stats this year have been: 18 ppg 4 steals 4.3 assists and 6.8 rebounds.

He was extremely happy to have received this award in recognition of his hard work and dedication this season. To Kahan this award means everything and, “It’s proof that with a good workout ethic and the right people behind you the skies the limit.” 

Kahan was particularly grateful to Coach Freeman as he helped him grow physically and mentally throughout the season. “He’s taught me many lessons on and off the court and the most important being be yourself.”

He has shown great leadership this season by encouraging his teammates to always give 100% during games and practices, just as he always does. Their efforts and hard work have given great results as their sports performance this year was outstanding. 

Kahan will shortly be graduating and plans to continue on to college and play college basketball. 

Kahan, CAA wishes you all the best in your future endeavors! We are sure you will go far.

Coach of the Year:  Derek Freeman

Coach Freeman has been coaching at San Tan Charter for the past 4 seasons and this has been his second season as head coach. His team finished 27-3 overall, 15-0 in the division and is currently ranked #5 in the state. 

His team this year was very well rounded. In almost every game there was a different leading scorer. When asked to comment on how his team had grown this year, Coach freeman said “Selflessness! We never cared about individual accomplishments. We all wanted the same thing at the end of the day. That was to be one of the best TEAMS in the state” 

Many of his players will be heading off to college next year and his advice to them and all his players are “no matter where you are in life, absolutely nothing is guaranteed. Always be ready to go in any situation proactively not reactively”. 

For those players who will be with him next year, Coach freeman hopes to create new opportunities for them and that together they will learn from the mistakes they made this year in order to make better decisions in the upcoming year.  

Whilst to the young men going off to college, Coach Freeman says, “For my guys that are actively pursuing to play at the next level, do not give up! You guys will find the opportunity that is best for you. Get your degree and take advantage of every opportunity this game provides! Please do not change who you guys are off the court. Kahan, Josh, Elias, Montay and Dallan. I thank you all for your efforts this season! Please keep up the hard work and be good men!”

Upon receiving this award, Coach Freeman was extremely thankful. He was thankful for his family, his players, other members of staff, supportive parents and “everyone who’s had a part in making me better up to this point.” He also wanted to thank all of the coaches of the teams they played against for giving them challenging games and the opportunity to improve their skills.  

Coach Freeman, thank you for sharing a wonderful season with us and for your great work with your team! We look forward to seeing how you progress next season!

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