What’s recently happened?
When walking into the Porter County Expo Center for the Porter County Conference (PCC) Sportsmanship banquet, what immediately caught the eye of South Central High School’s Varsity Basketball teams and the cheer and dance teams juniors and seniors were the jerseys from the eight schools in the PCC. As they looked around the room, they saw letterman’s jackets, cheer poms, and other school memorabilia covering the walls were banners featuring each school’s name in their colors.
To open the banquet, South Central Alum Danny Welsh sang the “National Anthem.” The opening remarks were given by PCC President and South Central Superintendent Ben Anderson, who ran through the agenda for the evening and introduced the guest speaker Mike Avery.
Avery, former head soccer coach at Valparaiso University and the current interim men's head coach at Trine University, is a notable figure in the community. He spoke about his experience playing soccer, coaching at the collegiate level, and all of the lessons and relationships he gained through the sport.
All the seniors in attendance were honored and recognized. Each school’s most memorable basketball moments, best clips from the cheer and dance competition, and showcases of school spirit from the pep blocks were featured in a highlight video. Then each senior was announced as they walked across the stage to receive a certificate.
The night culminated with the long-awaited drawing of teams for the PCC tournament brackets. Athletes waited with anticipation, pens in hand, ready to fill out their brackets. As the matchups were made, athletes calculated who would advance through each side of the bracket.
To continue the momentum heading into the PCC tournament, South Central hosted a Pep Rally to boost the morale of not only the teams, but also the pep block. The cheerleaders hyped up the crowd with interactive cheers, the Rockettes performed its newest routine, and fun games were played by students and staff. The Pep Rally ended with a recognition of all the winter sports seniors.
PCC week is something the whole school looks forward to every year. For the seniors, it is extra special to be recognized for all their years of hard work and determination. May the best teams win.
What’s coming up?
After defeating Hebron High School in the quarterfinals, the Boys Varsity Basketball team will play Washington Township High School in the Semi-Finals of the PCC tournament. The game will be held on Saturday, January 25 at Kouts High School at 11 a.m. The Boys Senior Night is February 22 at 6:30 p.m. before the start of the South Central vs Knox High School game. Seniors Brayden Lautenbach, Clayten Strauch, and Tommaso Tambelli will be recognized for their achievements.
The Girls Varsity Basketball team advanced to the Semi-Finals of the PCC Tournament after its win against Boone Grove High School. The team will play Westville at Washington Township at 5:30 p.m. The girls’ Senior Night will be held on Friday, January 31 at 7 p.m. prior to the South Central vs Tri-Township High School game. Senior Lexi Johnson and Manager Nitaljia Mendoza will be acknowledged. Come on out to South Central to cheer on the Satellites.
In the midst of senior nights, the Porter County Conference Cheer and Dance Competition will be taking place on Saturday, February 15 at South Central. Starting at 9 a.m. teams from the eight schools in the PCC will showcase pom and hip hop dances, along with a variety of cheer routines such as gameday and traditional.
Staff spotlight:
Matty Bush is a math teacher at South Central as well as the Boys Varsity Basketball coach. This is his second season of coaching.
He said that the challenges of coaching at a small school is what makes it so special. Many athletes are in multiple sports which allows students to be very involved in activities, but it cuts down on the amount of time coaches get to spend with them. Bush loves the amount of community support they get.
“Our last home game against Boone Grove the gym was full and loud and just made for a great environment for our players to compete in,” Bush said.
He enjoys getting to compete in the PCC with his team because it allows not only his players to shine but also members of the dance and cheer teams get their chance to compete and work for something.
Student spotlight:
Lexi Johnson is the only senior on the Girls Basketball team. As the only senior she has stepped up as a leader for the team, always encouraging her teammates to do their best. In playing at such a small school, she gets to form strong relationships with her team.
The thing that Johnson will miss when she graduates is the environment, especially during the PCC Tournament.
“Don't take for granted any of your years on the basketball team because, before you know it, it will all be over,” Johnson said.