P C S A T H L E T I C S

January 2015 " 1

As a team building activity a few weeks ago the boys varsity and jv basketball teams watched When the Game Stands Tall, a movie about a high school football team with the longest winning streak in sports history. SPOILER ALERT. A subplot of the movie follows the team's running back who has a chance to break the all-time state career touchdown record. In his last game of his senior season, the young man has a golden opportunity to break the record. Instead, with the win already in hand, he decides to take a knee and let the clock run out. He recognized breaking the record would take the spotlight away from his team’s accomplishment. While this is a great example of sacrifice for the greater good, there are countless other bad examples throughout sports where coaches, players, parents, seek to do whatever it takes to win, instead of doing what is right. Playing the right way and for the right reasons sounds great and is easy to spit out when you are winning district championships. It becomes more difficult when you have to sacrifice small victories or even notches in the win column in order do what is best for the team, players, program, and school both in the short and long term.

Peter reminds us many times in his two chapters of the New Testament that everyone is going to experience hard times, and as Christians we should even expect it. However, it is better to suffer and sacrifice here on earth for doing what is right, than possibly reap eternal suffering in exchange for short-term gain, success, and happiness in this lifetime. Winning is fun. Success is fun. But at what cost are willing to pay for it? If the wins, if success, come at the expense of our relationship with God, than isn’t it a much bigger loss? Paul told the Corinthians that if we are the greatest at whatever we do, and achieve the epitome of success in this life, but have not loved, we are nothing, and to the Philippians he wrote, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” living the Christian life is not easy when we are struggling, but taking short cuts, making excuses, and ignoring God’s will and commandments in order to ease short-term pain and suffering is not worth the long-term consequences. Thankfully, we can praise God for Christ has won the ultimate battle over sin, and has invited us to share in that victory. Soon, we will all celebrate together, referees included.

PLAY THE RIGHT WAY, PLAY FOR THE RIGHT REASONS“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God

the Father through him” - Colossians 3:17

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

•February 6•Upper School Pep Rally!•Varsity boys and girls basketball

senior night (Immediately following girls game - 3:30 start)

•March 2 - Winter Sports Awards Banquet and Spring Sports Coaches/Parents meeting (See details on pg. 7)

SCHEDULESWe encourage all of our athletes and parents to log onto schedulestar.com

Create an account and sign up for instant updates that can be sent as a text or an e-mail - this is the best way to get up to the SECOND schedule changes!

January 2015 1 Peter 3:14Verse of the Month

FIND US ONLINE!WEB: www.plumsteadchristianschool.org/athletics

FACEBOOK: PCS ATHLETICSTWITTER: @athleticspcsINSTAGRAM: @pcsathletics

From the Athletic Director:1 Peter 3:14: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…”

P C S A T H L E T I C S

January 2015 2

WINTER SPORTS SEASON UPDATES

Varsity Girls Basketball

From the Coach:

ALL IN. Two simple words but they are so powerful to the Lady Panthers this year. You may have seen the T-shirts, perhaps you even bought one. You'll hear us say it on the sideline, at the games, and even at practices. That's our motto. That's how we practice, that's how we play, and that's how we live. Basically taking Phil 4:13 to the simplest level..."I can do all things through Jesus Christ". We are ALL IN. 

Our season started off at the tip off tournament this year, walking away in first place. We've had some wins and some losses since then, however the team has continued to grow in numbers and skill. We are putting to work the very thing we are mastering in practices.  A ref took notice and told me at our last game how much we've improved since he saw us play at the beginning of the season. We've come a long way and hope you see it too.

I am so blessed to have these girls on the team. They are each gifted in their own way. I could not have asked for a better team to coach.  

S E Q U O I A C L U B

January 2015 " 3

Varsity Boys Basketball

Plumstead Christian boys varsity basketball won its 11th game of the season on Tuesday, Jan. 20 defeating divisional rival Faith Christian.  PCS went into the game ranked #1 in District 1A.  They’re led in scoring by their junior captains, the “Cash Cousins,” Cam Capeci (14ppg), and “Hurricane Shane” Curry (13.6), as well as senior captain Andrew Johnson (11.9 ppg). They also have two stellar defenders and ball handlers in the Brautigam brothers (Luke (Fr.) and Justin (Sr.)). They are currently in a tight race with other divisional rival Phil-Mont Christian academy who boasts an 11-4 record and Calvary Christian (11-3).  The Panthers have a tough schedule ahead of them including a game at Phil-Mont on Friday.  They are looking forward to competing in, what looks to be anyone’s tournament when the BAL playoffs begin in February, and hope they can play their best basketball come district playoffs.

P C S A T H L E T I C S

January 2015 4

Middle School Girls Basketball

The PCS middle school girls basketball team has made great progress this year! They have been working hard on being better defenders and learning the “motion offense.”  We finished with a record of 8-8 

Erin Haines leads our scoring with a total of 71 points- she is also a great ball handler and heads up our team as one of our co-captain’s.  Olivia Mott follows closely with 70 points, is a big rebounder and is a “beast” under the basket.  Chloe Kent has a total of 38 points this season, is our main ball handler and is quick on defense.  Taylor Walbridge has 17 points, has a great shot  and is a key sub for our forwards.  Rachel Mandia has 10 points is a key sub for our guards and is super quick on defense.  Katie Toll has 8 points is our main girl on passing and leads our team as the other co-captain.  Anya Link has 4 points, is our only 6th grader and is ready and willing to fill any position and do it well.Lauren Applegate has 3 points and does a great job defending down low.  Risu Ha has 2 points and keeps up the hustle with some great steals. 

We are excited about how much these girls have learned and look forward to watching them become even better players in the years to come!

- Coach Mott, Coach Haines

S E Q U O I A C L U B

January 2015 " 5

Middle School Boys Basketball

Middle School boys basketball is currently 4-3 playing in some very competitive games. They finished 2nd place in their annual tournament in Lititz. They are led by a core of 3 experienced 8th graders - Carson Curry, Matthew Zilligan, and Ben Weaver. Coach Curry and Coach Weaver are doing an excellent job developing the future of the high school program.

P C S A T H L E T I C S

January 2015 6

ANNOUNCMENTS

PCS SENIORS PLAYING IN COLLEGE!

Congrats to PCS seniors (from left to right) Kyle Seelig (Tennis, Ohio State), Justin Brautigam (Soccer, Messiah College), and Andrew Johnson (Soccer, Taylor University). We look forward to watching these boys take their talents to the next level!

Andrew Johnson made his commitment to Taylor University official when his coaches came to visit Plumstead. Pictured above (from left to right) Cory Weaver (assistant coach), Laurie Johnson, Andrew Johnson, “Coach” Kevin Jonson, and Gary Ross (head coach).

S E Q U O I A C L U B

January 2015 " 7

WHAT’S NEW?

WINTER SPORTS ATHLETIC BANQUET!Instead of an “End of the Year”

athletics banquet we will be breaking things up. We are now going to host 1 banquet per season and we are going to include Middle School! These will take place at PCS!

WHAT: WINTER SPORTS ATHLETIC BANQUET

WHEN: MARCH 2 at 7:00Where: PLUMSTEAD CHRISTIAN UPPER

SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

SPRING SPORTS PARENTS/COACHES MEETING

In order to better facilitate communication between parents and coaches we would like all parents to meet the coaches of the teams their kids are playing on. This is a great way to meet the coach and get to know them!

WHEN: MARCH 2 at 6:00 Where: PLUMSTEAD CHRISTIAN UPPER

SCHOOL CAMPUS GYMNASIUM

TRACK AND FIELD IS BACK AT PCS!!!

Led by Coach Max Fritsche, we are very excited to begin our

inaugural VARSITY track and field program this spring. We

look to help build this program in our middle school by continuing to offer track and field as a club

sport.

•If School is cancelled, so are all of our after school activities

•Parents - please use discretion if there is practice during iffy weather. You may keep your children home from practice due to transportation because of hazardous conditions

•Be FAN not a FANATIC

•We will try to notify all athletes of any after school cancelations by 1:00, 2:15 at the latest. Please check social media outlets as well

•Drive safe! - parents and players to and from events

•Dress warm! Especially after games and practices

Winter Sports Tips!

P C S A T H L E T I C S

January 2015 8

HOW CAN YOU HELP PCS ATHLETICS?Plumstead Christian School is a community and depends on the help and

support of all of its members. We appreciate all of the sacrifice, time, and efforts our parents, players, and coaches put into our programs so that we can offer these great opportunities to our students. Our first seasonal awards banquet demonstrated how wonderful it is to be a part of this amazing community and the Christian fellowship and friendships that are built here at PCS. We depend on one another to help achieve our goals and make things run smoothly. Here are some ways you as a Plumstead parent, student, or just supporter of the school, can help all of our athletic programs out:

• Coach or assistant coach - We are always looking for extra help coaching, whether it be paid or volunteer

• Volunteering to serve at concessions or admissions - the money raised goes right back into our program!

• Helping clean up after games (or don’t make a mess) - this does not fall under janitorial duty and is the responsibility of our coaches and athletic department to make sure everything is cleaned up

• Volunteering to drive to games - We had some great parents who have helped so far this year, and it is a huge help when we can get parent volunteers to help drive kids to games

• Run the clock or keep score at the game - We will pay you for this! Students too!

• Be a student-manager - We have some amazing, talented, very responsible student managers like Andrew Ziegenfuss (Basketball) and are always looking for more in all of our sports to help out.

• Volunteer to serve on the new PCS Boosters Committee (Coming in the fall of 2015)

• Help plan and or set up for homecoming, pep rally events, and athletic banquets

• Field maintenance

Please contact Athletic Director Jim Zeldenrust if you have any interest in serving a specific role or if you would just like to help out in one way or another - pcsathletics@plumsteadchristian.org, or jzeldenrust@plumsteadchristian.org.