Central Catholic celebrates basketball team’s third place victory

Posted on March 12, 2018

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Days after defeating Pinckneyville 69-61 to claim third place in Class 2A basketball, Central Catholic’s Saints held a rally Monday afternoon to celebrate the team’s win.

CCHS head coach Jason Welch was vocal in thanking the team’s family, friends, and fans for supporting the team throughout the season.

“It’s a credit to the type of kids we have here, our administration, the fan base…those guys are just selfless and it’s been a great experience,” Welch said.

Reflecting on the season, Welch recalled one particular game that showcased the team’s skill and the dedication of the fans.

“I thought when we went down to Teutopolis on their homecoming, I think there was about 20 of our fans there and I think they had about 1,400 people there. To be able to win that game, that’ll be one that’ll go in my mind as a neat situation, something I’ll always remember.”

Welch said the ultimate goal of the season was never to win the championship, but to help turn the basketball team into talented young men. Welch believes he and the rest of the coaching staff achieved that goal.

For senior guard Austyn Ellison, even a few days after the team’s victory it still feels like a dream.

“It’s still pretty surreal honestly, just to reflect and look back on our season and everything that we’ve accomplished,” said Ellison. “I’ll cherish these moments forever.”

Ellison also said while he still hasn’t decided where he wants to attend college after his graduation, he wants to savor the team’s victory before his thoughts shift to the future.

Senior center Garrison Kear explained despite a rocky start to the season, the team pulled themselves together, paving the way to victory.

“It feels pretty good. At the beginning of the season we started off rough, but we really caught fire and went all the way to the finals,” Kear said.

Kear says he plans to attend Heartland Community College after his graduation in the spring.

The last time the Saints competed at the state competition was in 2014, when the team went on to win the championship.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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