Defying the disappointment in their hearts and defying the natural response to demonstrate that disappointment, the PCA captains invited the Athens players to join them for a prayer at center court.  And to everyone's great surprise, the Athens girls locked hands around center court with the girls from PCA. The noise of victory and chatter, disappointment and criticism died as PCA senior Karen Windle's still small voice rose in the big arena.

She thanked the Lord for the opportunity, she blessed the team that had won, asking the Lord to give them the ability to do their very best as they continued on to the semi finals, and she gave thanks that she and her team were able to play for His Glory. In that now very quiet gymnasium, she stated their love of God and the crowd could hear the sweet, "Amen". Then, both teams hugged and wished each other well.

Stunned was the reaction of the Athens crowd at first, and then massive applause erupted for the demonstration of sportsmanship that later many would remark had never been witnessed before.

Some moments are so powerful that they impact everyone who experiences them as well as those who only hear about the moment second hand.  Parents and students from Athens High School have been sending notes to Plymouth Christian Academy to congratulate them on their amazing show of sportsmanship.  To view just a sampling, see http://news.plymouthchristian.org/daily/files/announcements/AthenFansResponses3-13-2013.pdf