The ACS Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams are the new Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference Champions, both winning their title matches on Saturday, February 24. Atlantic Christian’s junior point guard and team co-captain, Mikai Browne, who averaged 23.5 points per game, was named the TSCAC MVP. Students, parents, family members, friends, and the ACS cheerleading squad filled the gym at the TSCAC tournament held at the ACS campus.

The Varsity Girls, under head coach Kaylee Breunig, clinched the title and remained undefeated in the TSCAC with a 12-0 record, beating Pilgrim Academy 45-39. This was the 7^th TSCAC title for the ACS Girls in school history. The Varsity Boys, under head coach Dan Carney, beat Baptist Regional 58-37 to win the TSCAC title, the first time since 2014 and the 10^th time in school history. The Varsity Boys were seeded first in the TSCAC at the end of the regular season and finished with an 11-1 record. Lady Cougars Head Coach Breunig also received special recognition from the conference as she was named the TSCAC Varsity Girls’ Basketball 2017-2018 Coach of the Year.

League MVP Browne and two other members of the ACS boys’ team were named to the TSCAC All-Star team – sophomore guard Ben Noble, who led the team in 3-point shots and averaged 2.8 steals per game (2^nd team); and senior forward and team co-captain Hunter Smith, who averaged 7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game (Honorable Mention).

Four players on the ACS girls’ team were named TSCAC All-Stars – senior forward and team co-captain Samantha Rhodes, who led the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game (1^st team); senior point guard and co-captain Abigail Vogel, a strong defender who averaged 4 steals a game (1^st team); freshman Sydney Pearson, who was the team’s second-highest scorer and led the team in rebounds, pulling down 188 over the season (2^nd team); and junior Caraline Winkel, who was also strong on the boards, averaging 6 rebounds a game (Honorable Mention). ACS hosted the TSCAC All-Star Games on Tuesday, February 27.

“Both of these teams had young players with a lot of heart and they were focused on getting better with every game,” said Athletic Director Pam Hitchner. “Their hard work and commitment paid off and we are very proud of what our players and their coaches accomplished this year.” On Wednesday, February 28, both teams departed for Ohio to compete in the National Christian Athletic Association’s 3-day basketball championship tournament, which includes 72 teams from across the U.S.

Lady Cougars Head Coach Breunig is a 2012 ACS alumnus who was a strong varsity player and team leader during her four years on the Lady Cougars. She is in her first-year as head coach. Athletic Director Hitchner, who retired as head coach of the Lady Cougars last year, received the Coach of the Year award last year after serving 11 consecutive seasons as head coach and marking some 250 wins.

CLICK HERE to see additional game photos from our ACS website photo gallery.