Tylerjordan Gonzaga Prep Year: Senior Sport: Soccer Position: Midfielder

Gonzaga Prep’s Tyler Jordan is playing soccer the way that Jordan guy who hangs out in Chicago plays basketball. With one difference: Tyler Jordan’s team is still playing.

“His level of play has just been outstanding,” Bullpups coach Christian Birrer said. “He really has come on strong. He did the same thing late in the season last year.”

On Saturday, Jordan scored the only goal in G-Prep’s 1-0 win over Kamiakin. The win put the Bullpups in the State AAA semifinals for the second straight year.

Jordan, a point-guard on the basketball team, plays a similar role (center-midfielder) on the soccer field.

“I think playing basketball gives him good field vision and allows him to read the field really, really well,” said Birrer. “Right now, he is almost the heart and soul of the team.”

Heading into the state semis Friday against Decatur at Central Valley at 8 p.m., the Bullpups are more than just happy to be there.

“Last year, we were a Cinderella team,” Birrer said. “Players would say, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we went to state?’

“Now it seems like that attitude has shifted. They are demanding to win. Now it’s something that we can get.”