GALLATIN, TN (WGNS) - History had a way of announcing itself Saturday (2/21/2026) night at Welch College, where the Lancaster Christian Academy Knights Varsity Boys Basketball team stepped onto the floor with purpose—and walked off as TSIAA (Tennessee State Independent Athletic Association) State Champions. Their win over Lighthouse Christian School wasn’t just a victory; it was the culmination of a season built on discipline, perseverance, and a shared belief that basketball can be a platform for something bigger.
Head Coach Joey O’Dea, along with Coach Matt Coble and Coach Jace Cunningham, guided this group through a championship run that felt both determined and deeply grounded. Every practice, every adjustment, every late‑game moment pointed toward this night.
Senior standout Josh Whitt rose to the moment with the calm of someone who’s been preparing for it his entire life. His performance earned him Championship Game MVP, but it was his leadership—steady, humble, and unshakeable—that truly set the tone. Whitt has been the heartbeat of this team all season, and on the state’s biggest stage, he delivered again.
The Knights didn’t win this one alone, either. Cooper Parsley and Austin Davis were each named Players of the Game, stepping up with the kind of defensive pressure, timely plays, and clutch execution that championship stories are made of. Their contributions helped seal a win that felt inevitable only after the final buzzer sounded.
But the deeper story of this team can’t be captured by stats or trophies. All season long, these young men competed with a “faith first” mindset. They chased after God in everything they did, leaned on one another when adversity hit, and refused to back down from any challenge. Their commitment to Christ, to their teammates, and to excellence—on and off the court—is what makes this championship resonate far beyond the scoreboard.
“This victory is a testament to who these young men are,” school leadership shared. “They put God first, they trusted the process, and they never stopped believing.”
The celebration was captured in championship game footage, showing the decisive moments, the emotion, and the joy as the Knights claimed their place in school history.
