Pregame meals, a remodeled locker room and TV’s to watch game film. South Mountain’s basketball team can thank its new booster club for the off court benefits.

Coach Jeremy Soria said, “It’s been a huge success because it takes a lot of pressure off the school. With the school money we are able to purchase jerseys and equipment and with the booster money we can purchase practice jerseys, player packs and food.”

In its first year, the booster club raised almost $5,000.  

“The first season of the booster club was a lot of things,” said President Megahn Freeney. “It was exciting, it was stressful, it was rewarding which I think was the biggest take away.” Freeney said.

Freeney noticed the players appreciated the work of the booster club.

She partnered with Barros Pizza on 24th street and Baseline Road as one of the teams’ meal sponsors. Barros helped provide the food for the teams’ end of the year banquet.

All varsity players were given a meal before each game and the freshman and junior varsity teams had snacks prepared before their games.

The money also helped pay for tournament fees.

The team also benefitted from a remodeled locker room with newly painted lockers and name plates for the varsity players.  

Freeney’s son, Zay Freeney, is starter on the varsity team.

“Getting a meal before every game made everyone happy,” Freeney said. “I know my mom works really hard for all of us to do our thing on the court so we all really appreciate her and all the parents who help out with it.”

The booster club is labeled as a non-profit 501c3 organization, which gives it federal tax exemption. This is a huge benefit because the booster club invests all of the money into the program.

Donations from local businesses included televisions for the team to watch film as well as motivational signs placed around the gym to help players prepare for each game.

The booster club also work concessions about four to five games per season and make on average $300 to $400 a game

The booster club has more goals ahead. Like providing meals for all levels before games and purchasing a shooting machine for the team.

“Having the opportunity to get the word out to get people back here at South Mountain and really seeing what great things coach Soria and the boys have to offer in South Phoenix is something that I am looking forward to.” Freeney said.