Young athletes flourish on JV squads as they march towards varsity roles

Fresno Christian’s Junior Varsity programs have become the proving ground where tomorrow’s varsity standouts hone their craft, athletic director Jon Penberthy says, crediting the school’s five JV squads with keeping the Eagles competitive despite a high-school enrollment of only 200.

“Our JV teams are a huge part of our programs,” Penberthy emphasized. “It gives athletes playing time and an opportunity to develop their skills. If they stick with the sport, they will be a big part of the varsity team’s future.”

Winter results already validate the model. The JV boys basketball team rolled through the schedule with a single loss—to Chowchilla—before several underclassmen were promoted to varsity for the playoffs. Among them was freshman guard Noah Mena, whose confidence soared after the late-season call-up.

“When I got pulled up, I was excited to see that all my hard work was getting recognized,” Mena said. “JV was very helpful in allowing me to be a leader amongst the younger guys.”

Third-year JV coach Henry Baker, a Fresno Christian alumnus, structures practices to mirror varsity expectations. “I do my best to lay the groundwork for what to expect when you move up,” Baker explained. “All I ask is that players be coachable. If they aren’t fully invested, once they reach the next level they’ll wonder why they’re not playing.”

Across the gym, the 2025 JV girls volleyball team overcame a rash of injuries to post a successful campaign that included multiple CVC tournaments. Freshman libero Elle Johnson, sidelined for part of the year, saw the setback as a learning experience. “I definitely had a different perspective while being injured on the bench, but I feel like the team bonded and learned very well throughout the season,” she said. The program’s tradition of spirited bench chants also gives JV athletes a taste of varsity atmosphere, and several were elevated to the playoff roster.

On the gridiron, the last JV football squad went a perfect 2-0, topping Santa Clarita Christian’s JV and Mojave’s varsity. Current varsity starter Jake Thompson traces his understanding of unit cohesion to those early reps. “JV set me up for varsity by giving me an understanding of how football is played,” the junior said. “Every man has to execute their assignment properly for the play to work.” Numbers dipped this year, however; injuries and departures left the roster under 18 players, raising doubts about fielding a JV team when the program transitions to 11-man football this fall.

Boys soccer experimented with its first JV side, limited to non-league matches. The squad played twice, recording an 0-1-1 mark, before merging with varsity. Freshman midfielder Trey Tozlian believes the trial run underscored the value of consistent JV minutes. “So many more people could have had the opportunity to play and get better, and prove themselves throughout the season,” he said.

After a one-year hiatus, boys volleyball has reinstated a JV roster large enough for meaningful game experience. The season opens March 3 at Sunnyside High School, where a new crop of Eagles will begin the same climb their predecessors have traveled—from JV development to varsity impact.