By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
Find a way.
That was the motto of the Prattville Christian Academy Girls Basketball team this past season.
In the wake of their 62-55 win over Sylvania in the 3A state championship game this past Friday, the lady panthers held an assembly in the school gym on Monday afternoon to celebrate with family, friends, and faculty.
In front of a socially distanced audience, the basketball team was honored for their first ever state championship – a memory that Head Coach Jason Roberson will never forget.
“This team was simply unbelievable this season, and I saw a lot of them grow up right before my eyes. In my 20 years of coaching, I have never seen a group of ladies improve the way that they did from the start to the finish of the season,” Roberson said.
Roberson went on to explain that it was an up and down season, filled with obstacles along with way. Whether it was contact tracing that forced quarantines, injuries, or other distractions, his team was able to fight through adversity and ultimately finish the job with a state title.
“The girls genuinely love and care for one another. Unless you’re around it on a day-to-day basis, it’s difficult for people to fully grasp the comradery that each and every one of these players have with one another,” Roberson said.
The previous two seasons, the lady Panthers made deep runs in the playoff that ultimately ended in defeat. However, their experience in the postseason definitely played a factor in the way this season ended.
“We have a very, very young team. But we also have a few veteran leaders that have walked this road before. Their leadership and teaching went a long way towards winning the state title,” Roberson said.
Hannah Jones, sophomore and 3A state tourney MVP, has the same thought process as her head coach.
“We started the season not so strong. We needed to be more aggressive and strong in the post and coach [Roberson] as well as the rest of our coaches really helped us reach our potential as the season went on,” Jones said.
Roberson, who was quarantined due to contract tracing for portions of the season, says that his assistant coaches did a fantastic job of continuing the winning culture during his absence.
“We have assembled an excellent staff here at PCA, and that showed as the year went on. All of our coaches bought into the mindset that we need to ‘Find a Way’ no matter what – and they certainly found a way a win when I was sitting at home,” Roberson said.
Ultimately, a season filled with turmoil will, in turn, teach lessons – lessons that will last a lifetime.
“I think, more than ever, this year taught the players to be selfless, to love others, and to put friends and family’s needs before yourself. This year brought everyone closer to God, and his plan really shinned forth on the court for us,” Roberson said.
The PCA Lady Panthers finished the season with a 28-6 record.
