Patriots Prep For Regular Season Finale

I have to admire the work of basketball coach Kirt Duncan. This man has been faithful. Not just to his Lord, but also to his local Christian school.

Duncan has instilled the love of sports in the young people at Wilton Christian School for several years now. The result is that this school of only 29, the smallest high school in the Sac-Joaquin Section, has produced several excellent girls' basketball teams.

Five years ago, the Patriots made it to the Division V title game, but both times lost to Bradshaw Christian School. This season with a Division VI to play in and some really good players again, Wilton is 15-4, set to make some noise in the playoffs.

Maybe a championship banner will be earned. What is interesting is that the Patriots really don't have a gym in which to hang it. They practice in what is the church sanctuary on Sundays. They play "home" games at Galt High School.

In fact, Friday's regular season finale against Lutheran High School of Elk Grove will be played at Town and Country Church on Marconi Ave. in Carmichael.

The top player this season is Kendra Jeffcoat, a 6-1 senior averaging 22.4 points and 17.4 rebounds a game. Sophomore Kayla Brown is averaging 14 points a game and leads a good group of freshmen and sophomores contributing this season to the Patriots' effort.

I remember about five years ago when they made the championship game at ARCO Arena. The whole community of Wilton turned out to cheer them on. It was a loud, supportive group.

I think it was the one of the first times a pair of teams prayed before a game at ARCO. Bradshaw won the game but perhaps this year, it will be Wilton's turn. I'm certain the church wouldn't mind a basketball championship banner in the sanctuary.