FCA Families,

As we enter the District semifinals the intensity of the basketball games and the pressure on our athletes will only increase from here. It is natural!

First, last night our girls played an amazing game and came away with a resounding victory versus Union Start to move to the semifinals of their District tournament. Congratulations on the first district win in program history. Our fans were great and although the game was out of control physically our girls handled themselves very well!

Tonight, our men’s basketball team plays Lutheran High School in the semifinals at 6:00 pm at Norbourne High School. Norbourne is about an hour and ten minutes east of here.

There are several things I would like to say to our entire community as we continue this postseason:

1. WE ARE FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. Because of the name that we bear we have an opportunilty that far outweighs anything that we could accomplish on a basketball court this season. Because of our savior, we are called to be a light to a dark world who desparately needs Christ. As we cheer, coach, play, and particpate in the state tournament this year we are called to be a light in this world.

Matthew 5:13-16:
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

2. PARENTS AND SPECTATORS, YOU HAVE MORE INFLUENCE ON A GAME THEN YOU REALIZE. Athletes feed off the energy of their fans. Our fans were great last night! We encouraged our athletes, and for the most part stayed away from the officials, and we did not engage with any behavior from the opposing team. The three things I just named are really important! Please refrain from talking to the opposing team unless you are encouraging or having friendly conversation. Do not engage in conversation that is negative or that could lead to tension. We are there for OUR kids. We must support them and not be a distraction.

Last night, the team our girls team played, their coach apologized to Coach Bruner because their fans were obnoxious, rude, and their own team was frustrated. Please do not be a distraction from the girl’s and boy’s on the court. Their responsibilities are hard enough without being distracted by parents, siblings, and peers who are out of control! I have no doubt that we will do this well! Cheer like crazy and encourage our kids to be the best they can be.

3. DON"T PAY ATTENTION TO THE OFFICIALS! Families, players, and students, let’s address the elephant in the room! We do not win because of the refs and we do not lose because of the refs. Complaining about calls will never change anything in fact, when you complain, there is a chance that you will get even less calls during the rest of the game because officials are human and they have biases. When we yell and scream at refs, it only makes things worse for our team and distracts them from the goal we have set for the game. CHEER FOR OUR KIDS! ENCOURAGE, BUILD UP, BE POSITIVE, and HAVE FUN! The opposite doesn’t help the team – it hurts the team. Our coaches will talk to the officials. Please let us handle those situations. We are all one team as we go through this postseason!

4. POSTSEASON BASKETBALL IS INTENSE. It is win or go home. Please prepare yourself to act in a manner worthy of the Gospel as you come and cheer our teams to victory.

Finally, thank you for being amazing fans all year! This will be a different atmosphere, but I have no doubts that we will carry ourselves well. It should be a fun week!

GO KNIGHTS!