For most athletes, the story starts on the court. For senior Sam Mallios, it started when he got cut from the JV team. For most students, not making the team would have ended all connection to the Centennial team. But for Mallios, it was turned into redirection: a four-year commitment as team manager that helped shape the Centennial basketball program and Mallios himself.
“Originally I tried out for the JV team but was cut,” Mallios explained. “I didn’t want my basketball career to end, so I asked Coach Slopek if I could stay involved with the program by being a manager, and he said yes. Even though I wasn’t on the court, I was still helping the program succeed.”
Over the past four years, Mallios has become a steady presence at every game and practice, helping with rebounding, timing drills, tracking stats, and keeping everyone organized. But what he values most is the people around him.
“My favorite thing about being a manager is supporting the players and coaches in any way I can,” Mallios said. “I love the sense of family within the program. Everyone supports each other, even through tough or stressful times.”
Some of his best memories come from the moments where that “family” feeling was strongest. A notable moment was the 2022-2023 Regional Championship at Manchester Valley. “We were slow in the first quarter, down by a substantial amount, and I thought it was over. But something changed around halftime. Our energy shifted, and suddenly we were playing as a championship-worthy team.”
Centennial’s comeback victory was secured by recent graduate Josh Frazier’s first dunk, and as Mallios described, it “sent the crowd into chaos.” On the unforgettable bus ride home, “everyone, including the coaches, were celebrating together like one big family.”
Cutting down the net afterward at Centennial is another moment he will always hold onto. The tradition of each member of the team cutting down their home court net after winning championships is one that everyone is grateful to experience. When Mallios was handed the scissors, he explained how this moment “showed how much they valued everyone’s role on the team.”
In addition to the Regional Championship, Mallios also cherished the buzzer-beater at Glenelg last season, where Frazier drilled a three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to win the game. He emphasized that when “our student section stormed the court, it made the moment even more special. I remember celebrating with the other manager, and we had never seen anything like it. These moments are what make being a manager of this program so memorable.”
However, the job hasn’t always been easy for Mallios. “When I first joined, some of my friends questioned my decision, and honestly, I did at some times too. During a Christmas tournament, I was the only manager for two days, which was tough. But I persevered.”
What helped him during these times is the guidance of the former lead manager. “The main manager really helped me understand what being a manager truly meant. She was incredibly good at being a manager, and through her I saw the positive effects and relationships you gain if the role is done well.”
“The coaches and players supported me, but the main manager really helped me understand what being a manager truly meant. She was incredibly good at being a manager, and through her I saw the positive effects and relationships you gain if the role is done well.”
Now looking back, Mallios says the decision changed his high school experience. When asked if he would recommend being a manager, his answer, without hesitation, was “absolutely.”
Four years later, Sam’s legacy was built not through points or minutes played, but through dedication, energy, and the role he played. Mallios is more than just a manager; he is a crucial part of Centennial’s foundation.
“I became part of a close family sharing the same love for the game. It keeps me busy during the long winter months, and game days are always something to look forward to. The relationships I built with players, managers, and even coaches are so meaningful to me, and I am so grateful.”
