Skyline Gila River Celebrates Senior Night

Velia Moncada

Gila River Indian News

Skyline Gila River High School’s (SGRHS) Girls and Boys varsity basketball teams each played electrifying games in honor of their annual ‘Senior Night’ for the class of 2024 basketball players. The Skyline Girls and Boys Varsity teams were a force to be reckoned with as they both won their games against Imagine-Coolidge on Feb. 1.

Four senior student-athletes were celebrated during halftime at each game with their teammates cheering them onto the court: Seniors Demari Makil, District 5, Kenneth Jose, D’Only Michael, District 6, and Dylan Joe.

“This is a huge event for us, and it is very important for us to celebrate and honor our student/athletes for their dedication, hard work, and the positive impact they have left on our athletic programs,” said SGRHS’s Athletic Director/P. E. Daveda Taylor in a written email to the GRIN.

“It feels kind of sad and good at the same time,” said CAA Division 1 Varsity Boys Basketball State Champ in 2019 & CAA Division 1 Saguaro Region Champ in 2019 boys’ varsity senior Michael after winning the boys Skyline basketball vs. Imagine-Coolidge team. Michael has used basketball as a way to overcome trials and tribulations, especially after the death of his father back in 2022.

“It’s helped my career; that helped me push more… I’m doing all of this for him,” said Michael. 

“[Basketball] was a good experience, a lot of learning for me, and a lot of new experiences that came with it,” said 3-time CAA Division 1 Varsity State Champ in 2020, 2021, and 2023 and 4-time CAA Division 1 Saguaro Region Champ 2020,2021,2021, and 2023 senior Makil.

She said her fondest memories included her time with her peers as they drove to their basketball games, making memories and laughing on the bus. Makil expressed she does not plan to continue with basketball; instead, she wants to pursue a career in the medical field as a nurse and travel the world.

“Seeing her honored this way is a delight,” said Mavis Jackson, District 5, Makil’s grandmother. “I am just so proud of her and all her accomplishments,” Jackson said. Dylan Joe’s family expressed their happiness for him and wished him the best of luck as he continues in life after high school.

The boys’ varsity basketball team made it to the CAA Division 1 state playoffs. The first round of the playoffs began Feb. 13. Quarterfinals of playoffs were on Feb. 15, semi-finals of playoffs on Feb. 17, and the championship game is set at ASU on Feb. 20.