The Middle School Basketball teams are available to students grades 6 through 8. This foundational stage of development is the most important level of learning for our Basketball program, and includes:

  1. Spiritual emphasis (developing Christian character)
  2. Respect for authority (coaches, teachers, parents, etc.)
  3. Developing a consistent work ethic
  4. Preparing athletes to work together as a team (team concepts, encourage, motivate)
  5. Fundamentals of Basketball (individual skills)
  6. Learning the game of Basketball (terminology)
  7. Prepare GCS athletes for Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball programs
  8. Teaching healthy competition (learning how to be aggressive within the rules of the game and competing for a roster spot, a position, playing time)

Middle School Basketball gives us an opportunity to introduce and teach the fundamental aspects of the sport including but not limited to: dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork, and defensive positioning.

In order to give more students the opportunity to grow and compete in athletics, Grace offers a second development team for Boys Middle School Basketball. Our Gold team is heavily focused on fundamental skills. They have an approximate 50% reduced game schedule in order to invest more time in practice and training.

Practice or games run at least 4x a week for Green Middle School Basketball teams, and at least 3x a week for the Gold team. Wednesday is normally the off day, but they may practice on Saturdays due to limited court time during the season.

The JV Basketball team is available to students grades 7 through 11 for athletes who have mastered the fundamentals taught in the middle school program. Fundamental skills are refined with an increased intensity for excellence, competition, and complexity of Basketball game strategies.

GCS Junior Varsity Basketball athletes must be prepared to compete for playing time. Our goal is to prepare our athletes for the demands of the Varsity Basketball program, training them to be ready to contribute immediately. Decisions related to playing time are made solely at the coach’s discretion.

Junior Varsity Basketball teams practice/or play at least 4x a week.

The privilege to wear the GCS Varsity Basketball uniform is reserved for our top athletes, grades 7 through 12, who have mastered the demands of the Middle School or JV program, and demonstrate a consistent display of the core Christlike characters traits of our athletic program: Diligence, Endurance, Boldness, Obedience, Faith, Humility, and Dependability.

Varsity Basketball players must be prepared to compete for playing time and work to keep it. Seniority of a player is not a factor. Our Varsity Basketball players are judged on athletic ability, work ethic, attitude, and knowledge of the coach’s strategies.

Competing to win is strongly emphasized, without sacrificing the display and the development of Christ-like character. GCS Varsity Basketball athletes are expected to act accordingly to their roles on the team, and contribute unselfishly in accordance with their abilities. Playing time will be determined solely by the coach/coaches. Coaches will not discuss playing time or strategy.

Varsity Basketball teams practice/or play at least 5x a week with possible Saturday practices and games.

Basketball Coaches

Basketball Tryouts

The GCS Basketball Program runs during our Winter competition season, with tryouts and practices beginning in late October. If you’d like more information about the GCS Basketball Program, or to register for tryouts, please contact our Athletic Director.

Athletic Director

Nate Rhine

Basketball Camps 

GCS hosts a Basketball Camp each summer for 1st through 8th grade.

Coach Wilson’s Crusader Basketball Camp is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of basketball to boys and girls in a safe and enjoyable environment. We work each day to help better players’ skillset on the court as well as building confidence off the court. This camp strengthens the athletes mentality while boosting their confidence to become a more skilled player. We teach this through daily devotions, stations, drills, games, and competitions designed for kids of all skill levels.

Facilities

Practices and home games are held in our newly renovated Torgerson Gym on the GCS campus. The gym features a full court plus four additional practice baskets, boys and girls locker rooms and a weight training room.

Championship Records

Mens Varsity Basketball

  • Conference Champions: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Conference Tournament Champions: 2021, 2022, 2023
  • State Champions: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006
  • National Champions: 2002, 2003

Womens Varsity Basketball

  • Conference Champions: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023
  • Conference Tournament Champions: 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023
  • State Champions: 1992, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2022, 2023
  • National Champions: 2002, 2003, 2011

Annual Awards

Players from each team are selected for the following annual awards:

  • Most Valuable Player
  • Most Improved Player
  • Best Defensive
  • Best Offensive
  • Coach’s Award

Alumni Accomplishments

We are extremely proud our our GCS Alumni who have gone on to play college basketball:

Landon Wester, ℅ 2023: Fayetteville Tech Community College

Darius Hodges, ℅ 2023: Connecticut College

Jesse Mitchell, ℅ 2022: Averett University

Allan Taylor, ℅ 2020:  St. Andrew University

Jonah Murr, ℅ 2020:  Sandhills Community College & Calvary University

Phillip Martin, ℅ 2020:  Piedmont College

Nathan Yow, ℅ 2019:  Sandhills Community College & Campbell University

Julian Steinfeld, ℅ 2019: University of Indianapolis

Anna Murr, ℅ 2014:  Truett McConnell University

Paul Guede, ℅ 2006: Valparaiso University

Doug Stewart, ℅ 2003:  Liberty University

Brad McDougald, ℅ 1997: University of Mount Olive

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