Our Blackhawk Christian Varsity Boys Basketball team had an impressive 24-3 regular season, but they haven’t slowed down in the post season! This past Saturday, the Braves defeated a tough Gary 21st Century team 88-82 and then battled Lewis Cass in the Championship game. The Braves pulled away in the second half, securing a 75-58 win to become 2A Semi-State Champions! This is the 3rd Semi-State Title in the last 5 years for the Braves Basketball program.
And while all of these are impressive stats, what’s more impressive is the quality of character displayed by the young men on this team. Our Varsity team this year is led by three seniors: Gage Sefton, Josh Furst, and Jimmy Davidson. I can’t think of three better leaders… both on and off the court. All three come from strong, faithful families who have been attending Blackhawk Church for many years and all three are involved in our high school student ministry, The Movement. I’ve seen these young men walking into The Movement on Wednesday nights, knowing they have super busy lives as high school seniors, but making Jesus a priority. Leading by example. There is simply nothing more important… and also nothing more counter cultural for high school students in our world today. On a personal note, as a mom of a freshman BCS basketball player, I love that my son has role models like these who he can look up to… as basketball players, yes, but more importantly as young men who love Jesus.
Most people don’t choose the spotlight… it often chooses them. In this case, the spotlight chose Gage Sefton. He had the opportunity post game on Saturday to give an interview with Fox 55. Gage definitely had the spotlight on him that night and for good reason. He had a great scoring night, finishing with 30 points; two of those coming in the form of an electrifying dunk that brought fans to their feet! And watching the way he maneuvers around the defense so effortlessly as he lays the ball into the hoop just commands the attention of anyone in the gym. But Gage didn’t talk about his impressive stats, no, he gave the glory to God. He spoke highly of his coach and his teammates. And he refused to say anything negative about the other team.
“We give God all the glory and we’re honoring Him through all of this.”
-Gage Sefton
He turned the spotlight from himself to Jesus. I smiled the whole time I watched this interview for so many reasons. I’m so thankful for this young man and his family and a school and church with teachers, coaches, pastors and leaders who continually encourage our young men and women to point to Jesus in all they do. As Coach Roth told the team mid-game that night, “know who we are – we’re representing Christ out there and not just ourselves.”
So let’s go to STATE! And shine the spotlight on Jesus!
I agree with Gage; there should be a pretty good crowd of Blackhawk fans filling Gainbridge Fieldhouse this weekend! Our BCS Boys Varsity Team will be competing for the 2A State Championship Title at 12:45pm, Saturday, March 25. We’re so proud of these young men!
Go Braves!
BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS INFORMATION
Photo credit: Leverage Photography. Thank you Judd!
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