Crusader Athletes Begin Comprehensive Strength & Fitness Training

Shannon Forest is excited to announce that we are partnering with Upstate Elite Fitness (UEF) to conduct strength and conditioning training for our Crusader athletes. Upstate Elite Fitness will provide our athletes with a comprehensive strength and conditioning program that will enable them to meet and exceed their fitness goals, regardless of how broad and varied. For the student athlete this means preparing them not only for their sport endeavors, but also for the basic rigors of life.

The program will be headed by Brandon Simpson.  He has been training athletes for 4 years and has been a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer for 3 years.  Brandon graduated from the Calhoun Honor College at Clemson University with a degree in Secondary Education.  He previously coached 4A basketball and taught world history in the upstate.

The overall goal for our partnership with Upstate Elite Fitness is to achieve Fitness and Athleticism for the students in training and to provide a strong physical foundation that will last for a lifetime.  UEF does this in the following ways:

Practical Strength: This means recognizing that the body is constantly working as a symphony of muscles on a number of plains. Therefore, we train with movements that most closely mimic those you would use in everyday sport and life, and seek to build strength in those movements. Furthermore, it means avoiding unnecessarily limiting exercises and focusing on those that make you stronger in the movements that are practical.

Full Range of Motion: We recognize that the body is, in part, a machine - a system of pulleys, levers, and joints. To create practical strength and speed, we need those pulleys, levers, and joints to be moving freely through their full range of motion. Towards this end, we work on increasing the mobility of a person so they can mechanically function at their peak. In short, we not only seek to develop practical strength, but strength through the body’s full range of motion.

Injury Proof: The end result of general physical preparedness and fitness with practical power through a full range of motion is a decrease in the amount of time one spends hurt or injured. For our Shannon Forest student athletes, this is crucial. One injury can sideline months of hard work and practice! We believe that if you are moving correctly, strong, and mobile that this drastically reduces the likelihood of getting injured.

Brandon’s training is varied to accomplish the goals of each individual athlete.  Through the use of a WIDE variety of exercises, tools, and movements (this should not be mistaken as being random) combinations of exercises will challenge our athletes with new and different things that will broaden their abilities and make them stronger and faster!   Students will work through a full range of motion in their training.  They will work on groups of muscles that often work together, and will do these exercises throughout the full range of motion. Training will also be at a high intensity.  This is just as it sounds!  It is also important to note that “high intensity” is different for everyone. Brandon will work with our students as a team to encourage all of our athletes to work hard... working hard is “high intensity.”

Students attending training for the first time can expect that the time together will be driven by team work and community.  “We are all together to get better and will most likely be challenged, each of us in our own way,” said Brandon.  “While the work is high intensity, we place an equally high value on keeping you healthy and safe.”  A normal session will begin with a warm up and lead into a strength building element.  This may be followed by a new skill or movement for future use before heading into a workout that both conditions and continues building strength.  The workout often closes with a mobility move (stretching).

Shannon Forest student athletes (both in and out of season) may train free of charge.  Students who are not in a sport can train for $50 a month. UEF is also offering classes for adults who wish to train in the mornings or afternoons.  Faculty and parents of Shannon Forest students receive a discount off of the standard monthly rate of $100/month. (25% discount $75 a month) UEF also offers an extended family rate.

Students wanting to get started should contact Josh Pedersen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 864.939.8676.

Sadie Connor Hits 1000 for the Varsity Lady Crusaders!

On Friday, January 27, Shannon Forest observed Homecoming 2012 and the Lady Crusaders hosted St. Joseph's.  The 3rd period was a special one for junior guard Sadie Connor as she scored her 1000th career pointer on a 3-pt basket.  Sadie finished the night with 22 points and stands at 1011 points for her Shannon Forest career.  The Lady Crusaders cruised in the 4th quarter and defeated the Lady Knights 48-30.

 

 

 

 

Football Information Meeting

Parents of rising 6th – 9th Grade boys…plan to attend a Football information meeting with Head Coach Levon Kirkland on Thursday, January 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Come hear about the plans for spring training and our upcoming fall Crusader Football season.

Shannon Forest Middle School Boys’ Remain Unbeaten in the CMSC!!

The Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) Middle School Boys’ Basketball team finished up a long week on Friday, December 9, after facing four, extremely tough opponents.  The week began with a difficult match-up with Southside Christian.  This was the first meeting between the two teams in many years and the Sabres featured a big and physical lineup.  The Crusaders came out ready for battle and showed a lot of patience on offense, limiting the Sabres positions.  The Crusaders trailed by a score of 11-8 at halftime.  In the second half, the Crusaders struggled to make shots.  Points were hard to come by for both teams until Southside hit two big 3's late to put the game away 27-16.  Warner Watkins and Will Maddox combined to score ten points and led the Crusaders in scoring.

On Tuesday, December 6 the Christ School Greenies came to town for the one and only meeting between the two teams of the season.  Despite an enormous size disadvantage, the Crusaders battled mightily and maintained poise throughout the contest while taking advantage of their own quickness and spreading out the Greenies defense.  This made for a very interesting game and really put the pressure on Christ School to make the most of every possession.  The half ended with the Crusaders trailing just 9-6.  The Greenies picked up their defensive intensity by picking up full court to begin the second half while the Crusaders continued to take care of the ball and demonstrate patience.  Watkins played with unequivocal maturity, handling pressure with great ball handling and touch around the basket.  This enabled him to lead all scorers with 16 points as the Crusaders came up just short losing 26-20.

Thursday, December 8, Shannon Forest took the short trip down I-85 to take on a much improved Our Lady of the Rosary (OLR) team.  A solid packed in zone and great outside shooting were the key ingredients to victory as Maddox came out scoring 8 points in the first quarter.  His outburst drove OLR to resort to a "box and 1" defense in an effort to slow him down.  This opened the driving lanes for the Crusaders and enabled a few easy scoring opportunities for Watkins, the team scoring leader.  His efforts led the Crusaders to a 23-12 win and kept the Crusaders in the driver's seat as they continue conference play.  Watkins finished the game with 13 to lead all scorers.

The final game of the week turned out to be the most exciting of the four.  This match-up lived up to the expectations as the Crusaders were once again terribly under-sized and could even be considered less athletic than the Mitchell Road Christian Academy (MRCA) Eagles.  This didn't stop SFCS from playing with all the heart in the world and they battled with tremendous effort throughout the game.  The Crusaders fought hard to limit the Eagles offensive rebounding opportunities and they minimized turnovers.  SFCS led by 10-8 at halftime.   The first lead of the second half came off a big 3 pointer for the Eagles, but Maddox answered with a "banked" 3 of his own.  This re-gained the Crusader lead and more importantly sparked the team to play even more inspired defense on the other end.  Watkins then sealed the deal with 6 free throws while once again leading all scorers with 18 points.  The final buzzer sounded with the Crusaders leading 26-22, setting up a huge game against St. Mary's at home on Tuesday, December 13. Please be sure to come out and support our Crusaders as they look to take another step toward the CMSC conference title.