Taking another step forward in their athletics program, Grace Christian Academy is hosting the inaugural KCAA Pre-Season Tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Friday Nov. 4 and Saturday Nov. 5.
Grace Christian Academy started their boys basketball program last year, and hosted a ‘tip-off’ tournament with three other teams at the Owensboro Christian Church Rec Center knowing that they would be ineligible for postseason play. So in order to give their players an opportunity to experience playing in a tournament, former coach Jonathan Tanner and the school put it together.
Athletic Director Mike Dechman came up with the idea to take the next step with the tournament last year and with the help of the school board they were able to execute the plan.
“While at the KCAA State Cross Country meet last year, another Athletic Director mentioned that hosting an event at the Sportscenter would be great,” I didn’t think we could/would attempt the event. The wheels started turning this past spring, and I presented the idea to the GCA Board. They were supportive of the idea and gave me the green light to proceed.
There are seven teams competing in the Junior Varsity tournament including Grace Christian Academy and their cross-town rival Valor Christian Academy, Legacy Christian Academy from Bowling Green, Holy Angels, MICAH Christian School, and Valiant Christian Academy from Louisville and Lexington Christian School.
The tournament tips at 1 p.m. on Friday, with 6-7 games being played and then play resuming at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The Sportscenter will have concessions open for those in attendance and GCA will have a fan gear table for those interested in GCA hats, shirts, decals, etc., while Chick-fil-A is sponsoring the hospitality room for visiting coaches, athletic directors, and officials.
They will be awarding trophies to first through third place teams and a tournament MVP will be selected from the championship team with each school having at least one representative on the all-tournament team.
Each school will also let the players have a little bit more fun during the weekend, allowing them to have one player each for three-point and free throw shooting contests. There will be several opportunities for fans between games as well, as they will be giving away 3 sets of tickets for the UL-NC State football game on November 19, Chick-fil-A gift cards and other prizes.
Dechman wanted to thank the GCA Board and Head of School, Dr. Chris Holmes, for being committed to providing their students with as many opportunities as they can. Having started the school in 2020 with few students, Dechman is proud to see its growth in just a few years time.
“We launched our sports program immediately with one runner on the cross-country team,” Dechman said. “Area coaches used to refer to him as “the lone wolf” as he practiced by running alone while the other area schools had their teams at Yellow Creek Park. This year our Cross-Country team finally had five runners, so we were able to compete as a team. Our girls volleyball team got a late start in the fall of 2020 only competing in a few games. In 2021 we added boys basketball and bass fishing. As our school grows, we hope to add archery, baseball, softball, soccer, golf, and girls basketball.”
Dechman went on to thank all of their sponsors as well, knowing that they wouldn’t have been able to make the invitational happen without them.
“I am thankful for the businessmen and women, as well as private individuals, who support us financially, allowing us the opportunity to fulfill our mission to glorify God by equipping students with a spiritually and academically solid Christian worldview,” Dechman said. “Special thanks to Henry’s Plumbing, Frantz Building Services, Hayden Construction, Mattas Tree Service, Chick-fil-A, and Daviess County Teachers Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the GCA Golf Scramble each of the past three years we have hosted the event. Proceeds from our golf scramble allow us the opportunity to provide needs-based tuition assistance and build our sports program. We would not have been able to accomplish what we have in such a short time without their faithful support.”
Dechman is excited to see how the invitational unfolds, happy to see the opportunities that Grace Christian Academy students will have in this tournament and the future.
“The thing I am looking forward to most is watching the kids from all these schools get to play on this court,” Dechman said. “The athletic directors from the schools participating in the event have mentioned several times how excited their coaches and players are about the opportunity to play at this venue. One AD from Louisville caught me at our girls Volleyball Super Regional game and said that our JV Invitational tournament was all his kids wanted to talk about as they drove to the volleyball tournament.”
Dechman hopes that many from the community will come out and support this event and learn more about GCA. Ticket prices are twelve dollars a day and Chris Holmes, GCA Head of School and Tom Cayce, GCA Director of Advancement, will be on hand throughout the tournament and will be glad to spend time speaking with any family that has an interest in what GCA has to offer.
