Arthur Christian School girls continue strong basketball legacy

On Tuesday, February 11, Peter Lee, the father of three boys that are part of the ACS family, died in a tragic accident in Oakland. His youngest son, James, is a seventh grader at ACS. His middle son, Peter, played basketball for ACS before graduating from high school last year. Peter was homeschooled. Arthur Christian School Girls Basketball Team, front row (left to right): Assistant Coach Schuyler Binion, Chloe Mast, Isbel Houk, Lindsey Mast, Lyla Kauffman, Jodi Kuhns, and Assistant Coach Kelly Kauffman. Middle row (left to right): Liana Kauffman, Keisha Miller, Nancy Robey, Isabel Dolan, Alexa Franklin, Chloe Tiarks, Alexis Cutler, and Head Coach Nicholas Kauffman. Back row: Assistant Coach Paul Henningsen

On March 6, 2020 the Arthur Christian girls’ basketball team finished their season with a third place showing at the NACA Division V Christian School National Tournament in Dayton, TN. The Conquering Riders completed their schedule with a 27 – 12 overall record, continuing the program’s legacy of strength.

It was the fifth consecutive season the ACS girls accumulated 20 or more wins. They also won their second consecutive ECIC conference crown with a perfect 12 – 0 record. It was the school’s fourth conference title in the past five years. The Conquering Riders have only lost three conference games since joining the ECIC in the fall of 2014.

The four graduating seniors – Alexa Franklin, Lindsey Mast, Lyla Kauffman, and Chloe Tiarks – have played an important part during those years. This group finishes their high school careers with a 111 – 36 overall record that includes a NACA national title in 2019 and another third place finish at nationals in 2017.

Kauffman (143), Mast (142), and Franklin (138) have played the most games in school history. Kauffman is fourth on the all-time list for games started with 115 while Franklin is sixth at 109 and Mast is seventh with 108.

Two point field goals made in a career, Franklin is second with 655 and Kauffman is ninth with 140. Three point field goals made in a career, Franklin is first with 154, Kauffman is second with 148, and Mast is sixth with 46.

Free throws made in a career, Franklin is second with 320, Mast is fifth with 105, and Kauffman is ninth with 73. Assists in a career, Franklin is second with 382, Mast is fourth with 310, Kauffman is seventh with 203, and Tiarks is tenth with 88.

Total rebounds in a career, Franklin is second with 715, Kauffman is seventh with 309, and Mast is ninth with 280. Steals in a career, Franklin is second with 391, Mast is fifth with 340, and Kauffman is seventh with 251.

Franklin broke the school record for points in a career with 2,092 points. Kauffman is fifth all-time with 797 points and Mast is eighth with 493 points.

Franklin was named the Illinois Christian Schools Player of the Year. She was also named to the all-defensive team and all-state team. Mast and Tiarks both received the Faithful Award. Alexis Cutler was named to the all-newcomers team.

Franklin was also chosen as the NACA V – VII Christian School National Player of the Year as well as to their All-American Team.

ACS finished second in the ACS Holiday Classic. Franklin was named to the all-tournament team.

ACS won the Rosedale Invitational. Franklin was named to the all-tournament team.

ACS finished second in the ACSI Mid America Regional Tournament. Franklin and Kauffman were named to the all-tournament team.

At the NACA National Tournament, Franklin and Mast were named to the all-tournament team. Franklin was also a unanimous pick for the tournament offensive MVP.

All the other school records set during the season were by Franklin: most points in a season (883), most points in a game (43), two point field goals made in a season (284), two point field goal percentage in a season (56.8%), free throws made in a season (153), points per game in a season (23.2), most 20+ games in a season (28), three point field goals made in a game (6), two point field goals made in a game (16), and free throws made in a game (14).

Members of the varsity team included Franklin, Kauffman, Mast, Tiarks, Cutler, Nancy Robey, Lianna Kauffman, Keisha Miller, Chloe Mast, Isabel Houk, Jodi Kuhns, and Isabel Dolan. The assistant coaches were Schuyler Binion, Paul Henningsen, and Kelly Kauffman. The head coach was Nik Kauffman.