Monday, December 15, 2014

Cougar Hoops

The basketball season is fully under way at Conestoga. Each team has notched their first win of the season.  The middle school teams both opened the season with a win over Lititz Christian on the road and will play a full slate of games this week at home beginning on 12/15 vs. LCCS.  The teams will also be at home on 12/16 vs. Veritas and 12/18 vs. New Covenant.

The varsity boys opened the season with two wins on their way to winning the Cougar Classic championship.  The team was led in these games by Tyler Greenly and Jeremy Latshaw, who both were selected to the All Tournament team.  More recently the boys have dropped games to Antietam and LCCS on the road.  The boys look forward to playing in front of the home crowd this week as they face Veritas on 12/16 and New Covenant on 12/18.

The varsity girls had a rough start to the season when they lost both games of the Cougar Classic as well as a game on the road to Antietam. The girls continue to work hard and have turned the corner with a win Saturday night at LCCS.  Come out and cheer on the girls as they also play at home on 12/16 and 12/18.

Friday, December 5, 2014

The Conestoga girls basketball team has attained a new face as the head coach, Lauren Turner. She and assistant coach Andrew Turner have been working to push the girls to meet their potential since day one. The team as a whole has set expectations that they will strive to achieve this season. Coach Turner says, “Hard work and dedication to the team will help us meet those expectations. We have a lot of potential, but if we lack either of those things day in and day out through our season (and off season), we will not meet the expectations.”

In order for goals to be met, players need to be willing to push each other to be their best. Hannah Thompson, Summer Stoltzfus (seniors), and Jaine Sokso, (junior) are expected to take part in leading the team on and off of the court. A few players to keep an eye out for on the court are Matti Endy (sophomore), Jaine Sokso (junior), Hannah Thompson, and Summer Stoltzfus (seniors). With each athlete taking charge and pushing her teammates to be the best that they can be, the Cougars are sure to make a statement this season.

The Conestoga boys basketball team has also acquired a new head coach, Ken Parris. He is assisted by Jack Greenly and Josh Lapp. The guys have set their goals centered around three themes:  1. Christ First 2. Come Ready to Play 3. Court Awareness.  “God is at the center of everything we do,” says Coach Parris.  “With our whole team dedicated to these principles, we feel we will be successful at the end of the season. Every practice our team is prepared to work; our team motto is ‘Those that work the hardest are the last to surrender.’”

Coach Parris characterizes senior leadership as something that will be key on and off of the court. Jedd Miller and Tyler Greenly are both expected to lead the team by example this season. Because both of these young men are talented and motivated athletes, they have the ability to lead their team to a successful season. 

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Basketball Season is Here

The beginning of a new sports season always brings excitement.  It's the unknown of how a new team will come together to accomplish goals and the anticipation of memories that will last a lifetime.  All of these things are going through a player's mind as well as the mind of a coach.  This season at CCS there is one other question that players are asking themselves; what will it be like to have a new coach?  Yes, each head basketball coach at CCS will be in his/her first season as head coach for the Cougars.

Our girls varsity coach will be Lauren Turner.  Coach Turner was head coach for Veritas Academy last year, where she let the Monarchs to their first CCAC and District 3 playoff berth in school history.  This fall Mrs. Turner joined the staff at Conestoga as a PE and Bible teacher. Coach Turner is also the varsity volleyball coach at CCS.

The middle school girls will be led this season by first-year coach Kristi Watkins. Coach Watkins is not a new face to CCS, as she has four children enrolled.  Coach Watkins is encouraged by the number of girls that are signed up to play this year and looks forward to bringing excitement to this team.

Coaching the varsity boys this year will be Ken Parris.  Coach Parris has a wealth of basketball knowledge to bring to the boys.  Since arriving at CCS three years ago, he has helped out with both the high school girls and most recently the middle school boys.  Coach Parris takes over a program that has gone to CCAC and District 3 playoffs the past three years, and he hopes to continue that with this team.

Derek Ryder will be coaching the middle school boys varsity team this year.  Coach Ryder is currently the youth pastor at Hopewell Christian Fellowship.  Over the past three years Coach Ryder coached at the middle school level for Garden Spot.  Coach Ryder is looking forward to sharing his love for Christ and basketball with the boys this winter.

This year there will be a middle school boys JV team.  This team will be led by a CCS Alum, Josh Lapp. Josh is currently studying at Millersville University.  Coach Lapp was always a player that I could foresee being a coach someday.  I am thrilled to have Coach Lapp taking leadership of this group.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Season in Review

This fall proved to be a success in many ways for Cougar Athletics.  

Our middle school volleyball team finished in a tie for the CCAC East title with a record of 13-2.  Not only did the team bring home a division championship but they also won the Cougar Invitational.  Their high school counterparts kept pace finishing as the #3 seed in the CCAC heading into play-offs.  The girls would then upset the #2 seed, Lititz Christian, and advance to the CCAC Championship game vs. the #1 seed Mt. Calvary.  Unfortunately the Cougars were not able to pull of another upset.  The varsity team also qualified for PIAA District 3 play and lost to York Catholic.

MS boys soccer also turned in a memorable season finishing with a record of 10-3-2.  The boys were tied in the points column with New Covenant for the CCAC East title but fell short because of tiebreakers.  

Following each varsity season the CCAC coaches meet to determine the All-conference selections for the league.  CCS is proud to be represented by the following athletes.  In volleyball,Grace Miller made the All-Conference Honorable Mention team.  In soccer, Jeremy Latshaw was voted first team All-Conference CCAC East, and Aaron Carter was selected as Honorable Mention for the CCAC East.

Friday, October 24, 2014

CCAC Semifinals

Conestoga Christian 3  vs. Lititz Christian  0
The visiting Cougars, swept by the Eagles during the regular season, turned the tables to beat the No. 2 seed by scores of 25-20, 25-18, 25-21. The Cougars were led by Hannah Thompson and Becca Beiler sharing 24 assists, Krysta Yoder and Grace Miller contributing 17 kills for the Cougars (12-5), and Miller adding five blocks.  Summer Stoltzfus led the defense with 17 digs to quiet the Eagles (15-3), who had won four straight matches.  The Cougars will next face the Chargers of Mt. Calvary at 7:00pm on Friday at Lancaster Mennonite High School.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Sports Report

The fall sports season is quickly coming to an end.  This past week varsity boys soccer, MS soccer, and MS volleyball each finished their seasons. 

The varsity soccer team played their final match of the season vs. Lancaster Country Day School in their 3rd Annual Cougars for a Cure game.  This game was held at LCD on Wednesday, October 8.  The money raised this year was given to the American Cancer Society.

Friday, October 10, CCS hosted the Cougar Invitational Tournament for Middle School soccer and volleyball. The gym and hill were filled with cheering fans, and the Booster Club had great food for all to enjoy. The MS boys lost a heart breaker when Manheim Christian scored with less than a minute remaining to tie the game. The game was then decided on penalty kicks. The boys rebounded from this tough loss to beat Linville Hill in their next game. The Middle School girls capped off a great season with two wins and brought home the championship trophy. Congratulations to Jared Jones, Riley Latshaw, and Emily Green for being named to the All-Tournament Team for their respective sports.



Basketball Information
High School Girls – Coach Turner
High School Boys – Coach Parris
Middle School Girls – Coach is still needed.  If interested contact Phil Yoder at
                phil.yoder@conestogachristian.net
Middle School Boys – Coach Ryder

CCS has a large number of boys signed up to play basketball this winter.  As a result of the large numbers at the Middle School level, CCS will have two teams. The schedule for MS boys tryouts will be as follows so we can determine which team the boys will be on.

October 24, 3 - 5pm, Open gym at CCS gym 
October 27, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at Shoups' gym for 6th graders
October 28, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at CCS gym for 7th and 8th graders
October 29, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at Shoups' gym for 7th and 8th graders

Thursday, October 9, 2014

MS Boys Basketball Tryout dates are set.

October 21 and 24, 3 - 5pm, Open gym at CCS
October 27, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at Shoups' gym for 6th graders
October 28, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at CCS gym for 7th and 8th graders
October 29, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at Shoups' gym for 7th and 8th graders
October 30, 3 - 5pm, Tryouts at CCS gym for 6th graders 

Friday, September 26, 2014

MS Volleyball and Soccer in the Hunt for a Division Title

Do you know. . . 

 - On Tuesday there will be an all-school pep rally?  Students from K-12 will meet the final 30 minutes of the day to cheer and encourage the Middle School and High School athletes.

 - Tuesday, September 30, is Spirit Night for CCS?  Anyone wearing Conestoga Christian gear will be admitted free to all games.  Cougar fans come out and roar.  Admission will be charged beginning at 3:30 pm  Adults are $4.00 and students are $2.00.

 - The MS boys soccer and MS girls volleyball are both in second place in the CCAC East?  Both play High Point at home on Tuesday, September 30, and with a win that day, they could be in first place.

 - The varsity boys soccer team will be playing the Cougars of Lancaster Country Day School on Wednesday, October 8, at 4pm?  This is the 3rd annual Cougars for a Cure game.  Money taken at the gate and from T-shirt sales will go to the National Cancer Society.

Not sure what to do with the money you will be saving from admission on September 30?  Support the boosters at the Cougar Den.  Tuesday will be another cheesesteak night, including all the regular favorites as well.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Cheesesteaks, Fresh Cut Fries, and Cougar Athletics

Cheesesteaks, Fresh Cut Fries, and Cougar Athletics:  
Saturday, Sept. 20 for game times go to Cougar Athletic Schedule


Volleyball:  If you haven't seen the volleyball teams play, make it happen this weekend.  Middle school plays at 4:00 pm followed by JV and Varsity at 5 and 6.  All three of the CCS teams are off to a quick start. The varsity girls team has started strong this year taking 12 of their first 16 sets en route to a 4-1 record. The team is led by five seniors (Hannah Thompson, Krysta Yoder, Sarah Stephens, Summer Stoltzfus, and Becca Beiler) also getting solid performances from the underclassmen. The Cougars are looking to pick up a pair of wins against ELCO (Thursday 7 pm, @ ELCO) and New Covenant (Saturday 6 pm, Home) this week. Come out and support!

Cougars for a cure:  The varsity boys soccer team is joining together with Lancaster Country Day's soccer team to raise money to fight cancer.  The game will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at LCDS at 4:00 pm.  To raise money for this cause both teams are selling T-shirts.  The cost for a T-shirt is $10.  Please send a check made to CCS marked Soccer and include the size of T-shirt you would like.  Orders need to be placed by Thursday, Sept. 25.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Friday Night Lights




All of the excitement and energy that many of our public school counterparts enjoy at football games is happening here at CCS, only at our soccer games.

As the game got under way between Lititz Christian and Conestoga Christian, the bleachers and hill were filled. Throughout the game one could smell the burgers and fresh cut fries cooking at the Cougar Den.   The two teams played to a scoreless draw at half time.  The second half saw 3 goals, one from the Cougars and two from Lititz. Although the Cougars fell a goal short in the score, I will not forget the roar of the crowd, the energy, and excitement that we have at our home events.  

If you missed out on our first home game, don't miss the next one. You can catch the boys soccer team at home on Thursday, September 11On Friday the 12th you can catch JV and varsity volleyball vs. Mt. Calvary at 5:00 and 6:00pm and varsity boys soccer vs Dayspring at 7pm.  Bring the family, grab dinner at the Cougar Den, and watch 3 great games.  Admission is only $4 for adults and $2 for students.  Don't want to pay at every home game?   Boosters has you covered.  Purchase a booster membership and receive a family pass to all home games for the school year.  Passes can be purchased at the gate or ahead of time through Mr. Yoder.  The cost for membership is $100 for a Gold membership (this contributes directly to our Athletic Trainer) or $50 for a Silver membership.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Cougar Athletics begin the fall with a bang:  Each of the CCS teams won their opening game this fall.  Middle school soccer and volleyball both got wins over Hinkletown, JV and varsity volleyball got wins over Berks Christian, and the varsity soccer team opened with a win over Hershey Christian.
CCAC soccer preview - http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/6083786589938967498/2014-ccac-boys-soccer-lancaster-county-christian-and-west-shore-christian-get-early-nods-in-tight-ccac-divisional-races/

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Fall Sports and Basketball Information

The fall sports season is quickly coming to an end.  This week Varsity boys soccer, MS soccer and MS volleyball will each finish up their season. 
The varsity soccer team is scheduled to finish their season with a match vs. Lancaster Country Day School in their 3rd Annual Cougars for a Cure game.  This game will be held at LCD on Wednesday, October 8 and will begin at 4pm.  The money that is raised this year will be given to the American Cancer Society. 
Friday, October 10 CCS will be hosting the Cougar Invitational Tournament for Middle School Soccer and Volleyball.  For those who have not been to this event, wait no longer.  There are soccer and volleyball games beginning at 4pm and everything should be finished by 9pm.  The gym and hill will be filled with cheering fans, the booster club will have great food, there is no admission charged, and you will be able to watch some great soccer and volleyball.

Basketball Information
High School Girls – Coach Turner
High School Boys – Coach Parris
Middle School Girls – Coach is still needed.  If interested contact Phil Yoder at
                phil.yoder@conestogachristian.net
Middle School Boys – Coach Ryder
CCS has a large number of boys signed up to play basketball this winter.  As a result of the large numbers at the Middle School level CCS will have two teams. The schedule for MS boys tryouts will be posted this week.

If you are trying out for the team you need to have a current PIAA sports physical prior to trying out.