MADISON, Wis. — Making it to the WIAA State Basketball Tournament is a big accomplishment for high school teams in Wisconsin.
For one team, making it this year, means even more.
Abundant Life Christian School took to the court against Sheboygan Lutheran Friday morning with faith and gratitude.
“We're here to give God all the glory,” said point guard Jacob Koon. “Our platform today was to show Him, who is what's important in life. It's not basketball, it's Him.”
While they did not advance to the next game, they are proud at how far they’ve come.
Just three months ago, the team went through the unthinkable. A 15-year-old student at the school fatally shot two people and injured several others before taking her own life.
While grieving, the team took a three-week break from games.
Teammate Jonah Koon, Jacob Koon’s twin brother, said coming back together for basketball helped with the healing process.
“This brotherhood is super strong,” said Jonah Koon. “To play with my twin brother, it’s a dream come true. It’s awesome”“This brotherhood is super strong,” said Jonah Koon. “To play with my twin brother, it’s a dream come true. It’s awesome”
Jonah and Jacob Koon’s dad, Ken, said their perseverance motivated the community around them.
Each victory served as a light in what has been an otherwise dark time.
“They've come together and provided an outlet for the rest of the school and for the community,” he said. “So, their success means an awful lot to all of the kids from Abundant Life.”
Head Coach Mike Thies said hearing that is the real win.
“To know that our basketball team gave them some joy and some happiness, something to come around, something to get excited about, something to be happy about,” Thies said. “I just tell these guys a lot that it's more than basketball.”
