Coach Jason Roberson (right) and the PCA Panthers have been all smiles this season thanks to their 24 wins. (Staff Photo)

By Sarah Hughes
RRS Correspondent
(Jan. 22, 2010)

Prattville Christian Academy is making history… again.

After setting school records in football, the school’s basketball team is attempting to follow suit.

Not only have they passed their own record for most wins in a season, but the Panthers are making their personal goals for a presence in the AISA tournament in February. With an impressive record of 24-2 heading into the final stretch of their season,

“(It’s about having) more athletes,” head coach Jason Roberson said when asked to explain the team’s success.

“Even a terrible coach can be successful if he has good athletes. Our team wants to prove that we are the best on the court ever single game.”

The Panthers had several transfer students join their team this season. During the summer break, Roberson took his team to three team camps that allowed his team to participate in about 30 games.

PCA players had a pretty good idea they would be successful coming into the 2009-10 basketball season.

“We had a pretty good feeling we would be good,” senior point guard Donald Boyd said.

Taylor McLain added that the transfer players “helped our team.” The difference may be in the bench where PCA loses little on substitutions.

“We have a strong second team to come off the bench. One is offense and one is defense. They give us two strong teams of five,” J.J. Hudson said.

As with most successful teams, senior leadership has contributed to the 20-plus wins. Roberson recognizes the seven seniors for the leadership that they have given.

“Seniors play a big part of any team,” he said. “Our seniors are so competitive. They want to go out their last year with a bang and they try to push the younger players to want the same.”

PCA’s motto is about being committed to let actions speak loud. Whether it is words written on the back of the team t-shirts or challenging words spoken at practice, the Panthers have truly let their record speak the loudest.

 “We want to work on shot selection,” Roberson said. “We stress taking good shots and to be patient. Sloppy one on one basketball gives other teams opportunities to win. By having a good offense you will have a good defense.”