Varsity Girls Win State Title

HEART (Humility, Energy, Attitude, Responsibility and Trust) – this motto is what propelled the varsity girls basketball team to victory as they were crowned the NCISAA 3A state champions! 

To make the win even more special, they were the first varsity girls basketball team in Wesleyan’s history to win a state championship.  In 1992 and 2017, the team ended both seasons as runner up in the finals, with last year’s team losing by only one point.  Coach Matt McCarthy believes that last year’s results in the semi-finals helped to make the team “humble and hungry all year long.”  In spite of some adversity during the season, they persevered and accomplished their ultimate goal.  Coach McCarthy has been very involved at the school and is a WCA parent. He is also founding pastor of Vertical Church in Jamestown.

After a slow first half, the Trojans came together as a teamas senior guard and Virginia Tech recruit, Shaniya Jones, told The High Point Enterprise, “Halftime, Coach told us what we needed to do. Everyone just applied themselves and allowed themselves to buy in.”  Realizing that they were up by three and not playing their best, Coach McCarthy reminded them to go back to HEART: humility, energy and asked, “Where is your energy today?”  The second half proved that the team was reenergized ending the game with a final score of 53-43.

This year’s team consisted of eight seniors, two of which made record goals this season. Shaniya Jones scored her 2000th point and Nicole Mackey her 1000th since they began their varsity basketball careers at Wesleyan.  Also, Nicole Mackey was named All-Conference and Shaniya Jones, Anaia Hoard and Iycez Adams were named both All-State and All-Conference.

This powerhouse team of talented athletes, Coach McCarthy and his coaching staff all worked hard and treasured this win.  Coach McCarthy summed up the championship win and the entire season as he said, “It all goes back to: Who do you play for? And ultimately we’re playing for an audience of one, and it’s for the glory of God on the court.”  Thank you team for representing our Lord so well and Wesleyan Christian Academy.  Congratulations on a job well done!

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17