By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
680 wins over 20+ years. One Boys’ AISA State Championship in 2011 and a State Runner Up in 2012. A Girls’ State Runner up in AHSAA Class 2A in 2013. Final Four appearance in AHSAA Class 3A for the boys’ and girls’ program in 2019. Three consecutive state championships for the girls’ program from 2021-2023.
Prattville Christian Academy Basketball Coach Jason Roberson has compiled one of the most impressive resumes in the state over the 20+ years he has coached the Panthers. A graduate of Trinity Presbyterian High School in Montgomery, Roberson went on to play basketball at the collegiate level at nearby Faulkner University and graduated with a bachelor of Science.
His impressive run at PCA began in 2001-2002 basketball season. He coached there for two years before taking the job at Stockbridge High School in Georgia. Roberson was there for a season and returned to PCA and continued building the PCA basketball program to heights that many other schools have only dreams.
Roberson explained that his athletes’ success on the court is a result of focusing on improvement in all areas, not just basketball. “I believe we are focused on being the best we can be in every area of our life, striving to reach our full potential and letting everything else fall into place.”
Roberson has seen 7 boys and 6 girls from his PCA teams go on to play college basketball. After all the recent success, to include three straight state championships for the girls’ program, Roberson continues to push his athletes to help them reach their potential. During the off-season, the Panthers focus on improving their endurance. “The players that do not play football or volleyball will run cross country to help with this,” Roberson explained. “We lift four days a week with our strength and conditioning coach in the off season to get physically and mentally stronger, and two days a week in season.”
Asked for his goals for next year’s team, Roberson didn’t mention more trophies or titles.
“We want to apply John 3:30 to our basketball program next year. John 3:30 says, ‘He must become greater; I must become less.’ Our motto for next is YOU Before me. We want to make sure we put Him first as well as put our teammates before ourselves. We want to really work on exhibiting true humility. We have been extremely blessed the last three seasons with state championships but we know all the glory goes to God!”
Over the last 20+ years, Roberson did not single out one specific victory, championship, or award as his most memorable or proudest as a coach. “My proudest moment is when I see a team come together to accomplish something that maybe they once thought was impossible, but together with a lot of hard work, belief, and sacrifice, they were able to accomplish it.”
The trophy case at PCA proves that Roberson has many proud memories.
