“New Classification, Same Outcome” for PCA’s Lady Panthers

The Prattville Christian Lady Panthers recently won their third consecutive state championship title, but this year the well-known blue map state trophy looks different for PCA by changing the classification from “3A” to “4A.”

In March of 2022, the Alabama High School Athletic Association confirmed the shift of alignments regarding classifications, causing PCA to move up a class into the 4A. While this could have been a daunting obstacle for the Lady Panthers, they shifted their mindset to be grateful for the opportunity to play against new opponents. 

The phrase “Anyone, Anywhere” Coach Roberson and his coaching staff pushed all off-season was ultimately put to the test.

“We’re going to embrace that. We’re going to use anyone, anywhere, it doesn’t matter what classification we play in, it doesn’t matter who or where we play, we will do the best we can,” Roberson said. 

“Anyone, Anywhere” is in reference to The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 when Jesus tells His followers to go and make disciples of all nations.

This change to compete in 4A would bring new teams and new mental and physical challenges to overcome; however, the team stayed focused on fulfilling the New Testament command of using every opportunity to show God to others, including to the new teams they would get to face.

Before taking the court in Legacy Arena to face Priceville in the 4A State Championship game, Coach Roberson led a prayer surrounded by teammates, coaches and staff. 

“We pray that many people will be able to tell that we are different from most. Maybe it’s how hard we play, or how we love and encourage each other, or maybe it’s how we hold each other accountable, but they’re gonna tell. Something’s different. That difference is You,” he said. 

A few hours later, PCA made history in Legacy Arena in their defeat over Priceville 76-59. 

The 2022-2023 State Championship team is the first in PCA History to complete a 3-peat in girls basketball and the school’s first state title in 4A.

These accomplishments are especially ones in which seniors Hannah Jones and CoCo Thomas played a significant role.

“They seem to always step up on the biggest stage,” Roberson said.

As both student-athletes are 4-time state champions in only three years, three in basketball and one in volleyball, they are used to the “big stage” atmosphere. Due to their experience, they were able to lead their younger teammates well. 

“We had a young team this year, only three upperclassmen and two seniors, those ladies (Jones and Thomas) were true leaders,” he said. 

Their leadership was displayed on the court by encouraging their teammates, exemplifying discipline, and leading on the stat sheet. In the state championship game versus Priceville, the two seniors combined for 52 points and 31 rebounds, making up nearly 70% of PCA’s total points. CoCo Thomas scored a career-high most points in a game, 29 points, during her last game in a Panthers jersey. 

When Coach Roberson was asked about the void that CoCo Thomas and Hannah Jones will leave while pursuing their next step of playing collegiate sports, he brought up how, hopefully, they have developed a culture of winning, being successful, and working hard to be the best they possibly can.

“They (Jones and Thomas) will pass the torch of leadership to good players, like Avery Rogers, our junior… I have full confidence in her, and our even younger players, who love to work hard, and do things the right way. It will be different, though, for sure,” Roberson said. 

As this historical season has taken years of hard work and dedication to get to, Coach Roberson is hopeful for the future while using the past as proof of success. His phrase for the upcoming season will be “YOU before me” in reference to John 3:30, which says, “He must increase. I must decrease.” Having this as their phrase to focus on next year will remind the girls to “put God first and become less themselves to reach success,” Roberson said. 

While it is, obviously, difficult to transition during the loss of a graduating class as successful as Hannah Jones and CoCo Thomas have been, it will present an opportunity for the younger girls to step into a leadership role, and Coach Roberson is ultimately excited to see that happen and compete for more.