Coaching Philosophy

“Compete with Purpose” – I enjoy competing. The world competes to win on a scoreboard. Although winning on the scoreboard in the moment is the point of the game to a certain degree, we as believers have a much greater purpose for competing! The purpose of why we compete is highlighted by several verses and our Foundations of Competing with Purpose.

“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Rom 11:36)

 “Whatever you do, do you work heartily for the Lord rather than for men” (Col 3:23)

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col 3:17)

Foundations

• Christ Above All – Our abilities and opportunities to play are “from Him, through Him, and for Him” (Rom 11:36).   Thus, our competing in Basketball is worship. It is to be done “Heartily” which involves a total release of our physical, mental, and emotional abilities as an act of worship “for the Lord rather than men” because Worship is about magnifying Jesus so competing “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means that in all we do playing basketball, we are representing Jesus and bear witness to Him.
• Invest in Relationships – Basketball is a team game, and it brings young men together in a common passion. Players learn to work together, deal with adversity together, and sacrifice for each other. Relationships forged playing together often go deep because of this and are long-lasting thus giving great opportunities to encourage one another in their walks with Christ. In addition, playing basketball opens tremendous opportunities for the believer to connect with the unbeliever to “spread the fragrance of Christ” (2 Cor 2:14-16). Thus, we teach the game and strive to instill a passion to use it the rest of their lives to connect with others and make disciples whether they play or coach.
• Pursue Excellence – The world pursues the scoreboard result. Our pursuit is excellence. Obviously, we want to win the game. That is the point of the moment, but pursuing excellence in our play as individuals and as a team is the purpose because we view our play as worship and bearing witness to Christ regardless the score.

What do I want CSCS Players to leave with?

1. Basketball is a tool to make disciples of Jesus who then do likewise - 2Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Basketball provides in incredible opportunity to not only learn a game that can be enjoyed for many years beyond high school. It also allows a player to learn a craft that can be used for ministry here in the States and around the world because in playing and/coaching one is given a tremendous opportunity to engage and develop relationships. In these relationships, we have the opportunity to (Pray, Play, Say)… PRAY for our teammates, PLAY or coach in a way that brings honor to the Lord, and SAY…speak Christ as HE gives opportunity. As a coach, it is my joy to encourage players to envision their current and future involvement in basketball as a lifelong tool to connect with people and make disciples of Jesus in and through basketball.

2. Core Values – Five lifelong values we emphasize to help young men in life

• Be a Good Teammate – Grow in your relationship with God and treat teammates the way you’d like to be treated
• Be Humble – Realize all you have is from God. It is about HIM, not me
• Be Thankful – Thankfulness leads to infectious joy and humility
• Be Committed – Commitment in anything (even when I don’t feel like it) leads to excellence
• Be Responsible – Take responsibility for your own decisions and actions

About CSCS Boys Basketball:

Alumni who have played College Basketball:

• Rob Hellem, 1991 (UCCS)
• Isaac Westbrooks, 2003 (Robert Morris)
• Tanner Johnson, 2004 (Dordt College)
• Taylor Broekhuis, 2008 (Air Force)
• Matt Baarts, 2008 (UCCS)
• Isaac Ridderhoff, 2011 (Calvin College)
• Nate Engesser, 2012 (University of Denver)
• Kyle Broekhuis, 2012 (Air Force)
• Reagan Chapman, 2013 (California Lutheran University)
• Austin Johnson, 2013 (Trinity Christian College)
• Josh Bottomly, 1994 (Trinity Christian College)
• Jesse Stanley, 2000 (UCCS)

2011-2012 TEAM: 3A Consolation Champs, Regional Champs, District Champs, Conference Champs (26-1)
2012-2013: District Champs, Conference Champs (21-3)
2013-2014: 3A Final Four, Regional Champs, District Champs, Conference Champs (22-5)
2014-2015: State Champions
2015-2016: State Champions
2016-2017: 3RD in STATE