Middle school basketball teams finish season on a high note

The middle school basketball teams finished their season on high notes. The girls team had as many wins this season as they did the past four combined. They had a final record of seven wins and eight losses. The girls were also third in the CCAC East. The boys team's final record was eleven wins and five losses. One of their season highlights was winning the Conestoga Shootout at the end of the season. When asked how he felt about wrapping up his middle school career, Blake Greenly said, “I’m nervous to play high school basketball yet very excited.”

During the Cougar Shootout tournament, the following athletes from CCS were selected as all-tournament players: Blake Greenly, Jared Jones, and Chloe Watkins. The boys team defeated Linville Hill in order to advance to the championship game. They then proceeded to win the tournament by defeating Hinkletown in the championship game. The girls team opened with a loss to Linville Hill but rebounded to defeat Hershey in their final game of the evening to give them a third place finish in the Shootout.

Not to be outdone, the middle school boys “B” team finished the season winning three of their last four games, giving the team a final record of four wins and four losses.

Mid Season Update for the Conestoga Christian Basketball

HS Girls
At this point in the season, the Lady Cougars stand with a 4 win and 6 loss record. With already having accumulated more wins than their previous season, the Cougars are hungry for more. All of these victories have not come easily. For example, the Cougars went into double overtime with Veritas Academy and were able to come out with a 33-32 victory. The Cougars are still pushing toward their aspiration of making playoffs and have not lost sight of this goal.

-Summer Stoltzfus

HS Boys
The Cougars had a strong showing this last week, picking up two out of the possible three league wins. This display improves their record to 4 and 5 on the season, with a 3 and 3 league record. The latest win came last Thursday against High Point Baptist Academy. It was close throughout the entire game with each team exchanging leads, but in the end, the Cougars were victorious, securing a 3rd place spot in the CCAC east division standings. The Cougars hope to maintain or increase this 3rd place position as they fight for a spot in the CCAC playoffs.

-Tyler Greenly


Help support the fitness room renovation and the basketball teams

Purchase an "I Believe" T-shirt for just $10.00 and get free admission to the basketball games Friday vs. LCCS.  T-shirts will be on sale while supplies last.  See Mr. Yoder for purchase.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.