New homeschool basketball team wins national championship in first season
Last summer, two home-school moms from the western suburbs of Chicago decided to embark on the adventure of starting a new home-school basketball program and the P.C.H.A. Eagles were formed.
The Eagles recently completed their season by winning the 5A Varsity Boys' National Homeschool Championship at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
P.C.H.A. was established for the purpose of developing players who love the game of basketball.
Founders Tiffany Walker and Jill Costanzi believe that every person has a purpose and adds value to the team, regardless of ability. Emphasis is placed on developing the fundamentals necessary to succeed, freedom to play with courage and not fear, an understanding of the overall game of basketball, and preparation for every player to play at the next level.
P.C.H.A. drew a diverse group of home-school students from Barrington to Plano, Sycamore to Naperville. Several players had never played basketball or competitive sports before.
Others had played since they were in grade school, including junior Davis Walker, an NCAA Div. I recruit. Having such diversity in playing experience initially proved to be a challenge, but the team quickly gelled.
The Eagles had two boys teams in their inaugural season: a junior high team and a high school team.
The junior high team competed against local school teams and traveled to two out-of-state home-school tournaments, finishing the season 11-4. They were led by eighth-graders Lawson Walker and Reese Semler.
The high school team likewise competed against Christian schools in the area, and traveled to several tournaments. They finished the season 21-10, led by captains (senior) Michael Hahn and (junior) Davis Walker.
The varsity team ended their season at the East Coast National Homeschool Basketball Tournament played at Liberty University. After losing their opening game in pool play, they won four in a row to win the 5A National Homeschool Championship.
The Eagles are looking for home-school student-athletes to join them in the 2019-20 season. They hope to add a girls team to their program. Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook: @PCHAbasketball.