South Lancaster Academy (SLA) Lady Crusaders, with coach Adrian Olivera, are all smiles after taking first place in a four-day basketball tournament at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.
The SLA boys' basketball team also took first place in the tournament, playing against more than 25 teams from other Adventist high schools across the United States.
Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from South Lancaster Academy (SLA) took first place at the 27th annual Hoops Classic high school tournament at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas this year, held from January 25-28, 2023, with over 25 Adventist high schools from across the country participating.
“This year we prepared differently for the tournament, even working in the off season to get into shape,” says boys’ head varsity basketball coach, Francisco Ramos. Their hard work paid off, and now there’s an energy at the school that’s trickling down to the lower grades. Fifteen girls signed up to play on the sixth-grade team!
“Our goal as coaches is to develop God-fearing men [and women], to teach them life lessons, to see them grow,” says Ramos. The teams have seen firsthand how they can be witnesses even through sports, especially as they travel.
SLA provides an Adventist Christian education from grades pre-K to 12. In addition to boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, they offer boys’ and girls’ volleyball, soccer, cross country, and a robotics team. Homeschoolers can also participate in SLA’s sports and music programs as part of their “Bridge” program.