Faith Academy boys basketball takes its game to Puerto Rico
The Faith Academy boys basketball team has a reputation of playing the sport at a high level among the voters of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. It has won sixth consecutive district titles as a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
Now the Flames have taken their game to Puerto Rico, using basketball to help fulfill Jesus Christ’s Great Commission of making disciples of all men.
The Flames teamed up with Athletes In Action and spent their spring break in the Carribbean. They were there March 15-21.
“We’ve been talking about this for a few years,” head coach Zakk Revelle said. “They don’t always do high school trips. We got a date that worked for everybody.”
The Flames who attended included Asher Apel, Seattle Hampton, Collten Kohutek, Hutton Lemberg, Jase Marshall, Quinton Merck, Judah Phillips, Austin Skahill, Will Slyker and Michael Wetzel. Assistant coach Malcolm Canada, Craig Sladek of Athletes In Action and Revelle were the chaperons. The Flames who didn’t attend had commitments to other Faith Academy teams or conflicts.
“We got to do some evangelism as well as got to do some clinics and camps and stuff like that,” Revelle said. “Everybody can tell that we’re on the varsity. We played four games and had a really great time.”
He noted the week included a couple of travel days and the Flames faced some of the basketball teams that make Puerto Rico their home. They played at a church or a school, and one of the schools — AOBA — left an impression.
“Most of the days, we were up relatively early and had some sort of camp, two different camps,” Revelle said. “After Hurricane Maria, (AOBA) was non-existent. One of the teachers decided to reopen the school at her house. (The students) were kids with learning disabilities.”
Faith finished with a 3-1 record with its only blemish against a squad of college-aged players. Tipoffs were between 2:30-3 p.m.
One contest was played in Puerto Rico’s Olympic Center where the Flames also spent the night. They also stayed at an Air BNB and a university. Churches and other individuals and groups provided meals.
Once the games finished, a Flame shared his testimony — how he became a disciple of Jesus and why — and someone else “would share the Gospel,” Revelle said.
“The testimony was a big deal,” he said. “To hear the testimonies of kids at their age is a big deal.”
Revelle indicated the Flames made life-time memories.
“Great week,” he said. “I know that the guys had a really good time. Obviously, a neat time for us to spend time to do the Lord’s work, as well as play some basketball.”
