L-R: #21 ONDREO SAWYER POINT GUARD, #42 ELLIOTT WHITESIDE FORWARD, #33 SAM JAMES, #5 CAMRYN KING POINT GUARD, #1 ANNA GRACE WELLS CENTER
At Unity Christian School, championships have become the norm under boys Head Coach Davy Fisher and girls Head Coach Mel Thornbury with the boys bringing home the GAPPS Class A State Championship for the 2023-24 season and the girls doing the same in 2024-25. Winning breeds expectations and how these teams have handled their success is something both coaches are quick to attribute to the
foundation of faith UCS provides.
“Basketball was my identity for a long time,” said Fisher. “Jesus changed that. He used the game as a platform, grabbed my heart and put the right people in my life. That’s why I use the game, that’s why I’m coaching, because I want to be part of the group that helped change my life.”
Fisher’s focus on ministering through the sport he loves has paid dividends on the court, but it’s obvious he cares even more about the impact he can have on the lives of his players outside of basketball.
“I expect these guys to play with a clear mind, full heart and great passion,” said Fisher. “However, my expectations are not attached to the outcome or the scoreboard, but on the process every day. Seek first the kingdom and everything else will take care of itself.”
Fisher’s Lions will be led by three standout senior guards in Ondreo Sawyer, Sam James and Elliot Whiteside. All three were part of the state championship team 2 years ago, so they know what it takes to reach the mountain top and the camaraderi they’ve built on and off the court can help them get back there.
As for the Lady Lions, they enter the season with everyone back from last year’s state championship roster, led by senior guard Camryn King and Forward Anna Grace Wells and will have the unique experience of having a target on their backs while moving up a division.
“The mountain is a little different this year, because (GAPPS) changed our division,” says Thornbury. “They have bumped us up in our league with larger private schools out of the greater Atlanta area. I’ve done some scouting, and I believe we are ready to compete with these teams. I believe we will still make a run there, but we do have a target on our backs, and we are going to be the new kids on the block.”
With all the experience on the roster, the off-season focus has been more about fostering the younger players and getting them ready to contribute. With all the key pieces in place for another championship run, getting those upcoming freshmen ready and part of the fabric of the team could have a huge impact when it comes to the overall depth of the team.
We have a strong senior class that is established in their leadership roles on and off the court,” says Thornbury. “Then we have a lot of younger girls that are coming into the program as well. So, our seniors have focused on how they lead and carry themselves as they help our new players. As far as our outcomes at the end of the season, I trust that if we take care of business, we can go into the playoffs in this new division and make a run.”
With the time near and the mission clear, the Lions are ready to hit the court running.
