Salah Awwad is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com

Mountain Pointe Pride head basketball coach Kaimarr Price emphasized one thing in particular to his team as they headed into the new season - purpose.

Price and the rest of the team have proven capable of making a deep championship run, but have yet to come out of a season as champions.

To get over that hump, the coach is making sure to emphasize purpose not just while on the basketball court, but in everyday life to all his players.

“Purpose is our mantra for the season, just teaching them about purpose and how to live a purposeful life on and off the floor,” Price said. “While taking that mindset and approach to everything you do, not just on the basketball court.”

Price, 34, has been coaching the Pride since 2019 and nothing short of success has been the focus. According to MaxPreps, Price has led Mountain Pointe to a 65-32 regular season record during his four years with the team. This includes two trips to the 6A divisional championship, both however ending in losses.

Before becoming head coach of Mountain Pointe, Price was an assistant coach for the team for three years. He then became an assistant basketball coach at Ottawa University, preparing him for the Pride’s head job. He said getting that college-level experience further elevated his knowledge of the game.

Upon arriving as head coach of the Pride, Price knew how much work had to be done to get the program to where he wanted it to be, after all he had been an assistant for three years.

“As far as building the program, we just want to make it a place where young student-athletes can come and be themselves on and off the court while reaching their highest potential,” he said. “On the court, we do make defense a priority here and everything stems from that.”

Being a Mountain Pointe alumnus who graduated in 2007 and having played on the Prides’ basketball varsity team, Price knows how much the success of these programs means to the school. That familiarity helped with the process of building and connecting with the team immediately.

“Just knowing what it means to be a member of this program and having that pride, from having played here myself, all my friends played here, it’s surreal for me but a great experience for sure,” he said.

Price's impact on the team was immediately showcased upon arrival as head coach. Those involved with the school know how prominent he’s been for the program.

While winning is important when it comes to all Mountain Pointe sports, the development of their students as both players and people is always the priority.

“Coach Price has always made it about more than just basketball. He knows his student-athletes and their families,” Mountain Pointe athletic director Aaron Frana said. “He is dedicated to improving them as players and men.”

Price is well respected in the community for what he has done for the school in such a short time. Former television sports personality and radio host Kevin McCabe has spent time with the coach and spoke highly of him.

“He really is dedicated to having his kids play for each other and they do. Something that is really tough in today's me-me-AAU ball,” McCabe said.

The Pride players are buying in when it comes to his methods of winning and know they have to stay dedicated in order to reach the goals set.

Senior guard Jackson Matthews is taking on the team's leadership role and focusing on setting an example for his younger teammates who may not have as much experience.

“It is extremely important that I lead by example, not just for the team but for the younger kids as well,” Matthews said. “Being able to set a standard for everyone allows the team to develop not only as more determined basketball players, but better individuals in the real world.”

With that, Price came in as coach and immediately changed the culture of the team and the players’ philosophies on it.

“Before, Mountain Pointe could be seen as a team of kids that are unable to contain themselves, or are without a future and will not be anything outside of basketball,” Matthews said. “Now, players are receiving more than just knowledge in the basketball world.”

Kaimarr’s impact on the team and program will not be forgotten. And neither will the Price name, given the family history in the program.

Price has coached three of his nephews over the last two seasons: Jayven, Aiden and Amous.

Jayven and Aiden graduated from the school in May, leaving junior guard Amous to carry on the name this season.

Amous made the varsity team as a freshman and is now ready to take that next step as one of the key leaders for the Pride this season. He has been pushed to work even harder while playing for Price over the last three years.

“Playing under my uncle has been the greatest blessing anyone can ask for. He gets to see me grow on and off the court every day and helps me to become the best possible version of myself,” Amous said.

As the season starts, expectations for the team are high, with one clear goal in mind for this season.

“The main goal for this team is to obviously win a championship whether it's open (division) or 5A, our goal doesn't change,” Amous said. “Year to year, we trust our coach to assemble a championship roster and we completely feel that we have everything we need to finally get over the hump.”

Despite how clear the teams’ goals are, the players also have some individual goals they are working to achieve this season.

“I want to play at the Division 1 level and earn a degree,” Matthews said. “As for my goals for the team and the season, I want to help lead us to a 5A championship, but also give us a chance at an open division championship as well.”

Veteran players know they have to do everything in their power to get the team to that championship level.

Junior guard Kaden Gollhuir is one of those players. He wants to make sure his final two years are memorable.

“It is really important for me and the rest of the team to go out on a strong note to help build the foundation for Mountain Pointe basketball,” Gollhuir said.

While the team has started the new season with four straight losses, they know there’s a long way to go and to stay focused on their goals.

Despite wins and losses, the players always make sure to remember Price’s advice: To set the highest standard for themselves on and off the basketball court.

Again, it’s about purpose.

“Coach Price has emphasized for me to always be confident, continue my hard work, and be a leader on and off the court,” Gollhuir said. “For the team, he has pushed us to be not only great basketball players, but great students as well.”