Christian Fellowship’s basketball program will re-enter Fourth District play for the 2021-2022 season. Their success and strength of schedule over the past couple of years has led to the decision with approval from the administration.
The Fourth District will return to a four-team district with the move.
“The Christian Fellowship Lady Eagles basketball team is excited about the opportunity to rejoin District 4 competition”, Lady Eagles Head Coach Trevor Jackson said. “The district has produced some the best girls basketball teams in the region and we are looking forward to great competition that it will provide our program”
Since 2005, the Fourth District has produced 15 of 17 regional tournament winners.
“The last time we competed was the 2004-2005 season, most all of my players were infants or not even born yet”, Jackson said. “Since that time, the girls team hasn’t been able to consistently field teams. However, the last four years we have fielded teams with strong numbers of players. Each year, we have increased the level of competition that we have played and have gone from being routinely blown off the court to being able to be competitive throughout the game this past season.”
Jackson said they want this reentry to district play to be for the long haul, not just for the here and now.
The Lady Eagles aggressive schedule over the past couple of years, playing several strong Region 1 and 2 opponents, has proven the timing is perfect to enter back into district play. The youth and talent of the team is a nice foundation to be competitive in district play for several years to come. They finished this past season with a record of 13-12.
“Part of our decision to rejoin was based upon strong middle school numbers, 13 players in grades fourth, fifth and sixth”, Jackson said. “Our current varsity roster consists of only eighth graders, freshman and sophomores.”
Jackson said plans are in place to begin an elementary program to create excitement with the elementary kids in the school about playing basketball.
“We will enlist the help of our varsity players to mentor and pour into these young ladies”, Jackson said. “This type of collaboration from the highest level, varsity, to the lowest level, elementary, is how good consistent programs are built. This is what we are going to do at Christian Fellowship.”
Freshman Gracie Howard, who reached 1,000 career points nine games into the season, finished the regular season ranked ninth in the state in average points per game with 22.2. In 25 games, she scored 555 points which is seventh best in the state.
Sophomore Lillian Burnett finished 31st in the state in average rebounds per game with 10.4, ending the regular season with 249. The Lady Eagles 37.5 rebounds per game and was ninth best in the state at the end of the regular season and their 937 rebounds was fourth highest in Kentucky.
Losing just one senior from this year’s successful 19-9 squad, the CFS Eagles had signature wins over St. Mary, Hickman County and Ballard Memorial and in their final two games of the season, played Graves County and Marshall County close, losing by 11 points in each.
Sophomore Andrew Dunning is ranked 25th in the state among free throw leaders. Dunning had an 84.5 free throw percentage hitting 82 of 97. Senior Andrew Allen’s 82.4 percent at the line was 38th best in the state. For the season he converted on 103 of 125 attempts. As a team, CFS finished 38th in the state with 71.8 percent.
“From the day I began coaching at Christian Fellowship, my goal was to help build a competitive basketball program and I know Coach Jackson shares that goal as well”, Eagles Head Coach Tyler Ryan said. “I was blessed with the opportunity to play college ball and I’m grateful God has provided me with the opportunity to give back at CFS.”
Ryan said they have come a long way in a short period of time and even though they have a ways to go, he believes CFS is heading in the right direction, adding that the middle school programs continue to grow and they will soon be launching an elementary program.
“Ultimately, I’m extremely happy for the kids”, said Ryan. “They have bought in, work extremely hard, and continue to improve every day. They have wanted this opportunity and now it’s in their hands. Playing in districts gives them a sense of belonging that I feel has been somewhat lacking despite our recent success on the court. District Four is obviously a very tough district, but (joining) it is the next step in building a successful, competitive program. We are excited for the opportunity and look forward to competing in one of the best districts in the region.”
