The ACS Varsity Boys’ Basketball team capped off its championship-winning season in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference (TSCAC) with additional success on March 7, winning first place in Division 4B at the National Christian School Athletic Association’s national tournament in Ohio. The tournament features Christian high school teams from across the U.S. who are the best in their regions.
The Boys’ team lost its first tournament game to Bishop Walsh of Maryland, and then won the next two games, beating Thales Academy from North Carolina and Cumberland Valley from Pennsylvania. Overall, the ACS Boys’ team finished 17th out of the 52 boys’ high school teams that competed.
“As a senior, it was great to go out with a win for our school at Nationals,” said guard Ben Noble, who scored 34 points, had 13 assists, and 6 steals during the tournament. Several other players made strong contributions during the tournament. Mark Rosie, one of 3 seniors on the team, had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals. Senior forward Dan Roland had 24 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Junior 6′ 8″ center Landon Shivers, who led the team in scoring with 65 points, had 30 rebounds, 9 assists, 10 blocks, and one steal.
Athletic Director Pam Hitchner said college coaches come to Nationals to check out the talent and she was pleased that a college coach from Kansas City spoke with Landon after watching him play at the tournament.
The Lady Cougars, who were seeded in Division 1, lost their first two games to Grace Christian from West Virginia and Calvary Christian from Maryland, and won their third game playing in Division 2 against Grace Christian from Illinois. Hitchner said the Lady Cougars ended in 3rd place in Division 2 and came in 7th overall out of 32 girls’ high school teams that competed.
“We’re very proud of our players and our coaches and for the enthusiastic school spirit of our students and families that carried our teams throughout this memorable season,” Hitchner said.