Perseverance: Judah’s All-Conference Basketball Players
- Judah Newsroom
- May 16
- 3 min read
Humans tend to underestimate how far we can go and overestimate how much we can lift. This is true physically and spiritually. So, how do we achieve more than we thought we could while still having a good sense of our limitations? It takes strength to face the challenge, faith to keep your spirits up, and perseverance to keep going.
This year, three Judah students — freshman Mason Miller, senior Cam Carson, and senior Braydon Mora — were selected to the all-conference basketball team for the East Central Illinois Conference. This recognition shows how hard they worked, not just on the court but outside of the gym as well. We had the opportunity to interview these persevering players. Here is what they said.
Mason, Cam, and Braydon, what do you strive for as a player?
Mason: “I strive for teamwork. I make sure to pass the ball and be a good sport, so other teams can see how a team should act.”
Cam: “I strive to be a professional. It means a lot to me because I come from a background of basketball players.”
Braydon: “I strive to perform at the level I know I can and to not get wrapped up in what is going on outside the game. I just play the game and put my faith in God and the team.”
What position do you play?
Mason: “I’m the point guard, so I’m the one bringing up the ball. I’m also a team captain. I really enjoy leading the team through my play and my position.”
Cam: “I play point guard too. The point guard makes sure that the players on the floor do what they’re supposed to do, that people are in the right position so the team has a better chance to win.”
Braydon: “I feel like I played a little bit of everything this year. I played any position the team needed.”
What does being on the all-conference team mean to you?
Mason: “It means a lot to me, because our record didn’t show everything. Being on the all-conference team shows that if I keep working hard, I’ll get noticed for what I do.”
Cam: “It means a lot. It is a premier accomplishment. The fact that one of my closest friends got selected too makes it even better.”
Braydon: “It means that all the hard work I put in over the years has paid off! All the time in the gym brought me to where I am now.”
How does your faith play a part in your performance?
Mason: “My faith plays a part in good sportsmanship and playing for God. You’re not just playing for yourself.”
Cam: “Being able to lean on God really helps my mentality during a game. I’m not leaning on myself.”
Braydon: “I noticed a big leap in how I played after I gave my life to God. Right before junior year, I had just started devoting my personal achievements to God. I was more willing to roll with the punches, as I started to understand that basketball wasn’t going to be a lifelong commitment that I needed to strive for.”
What are your basketball strengths?
Mason: “I would say my main strengths are ball handling, shooting, and working with the team.”
Cam: “My basketball IQ.”
Braydon: “I know how to use my body, especially against defenders who are smaller than me. So that is a good strength. I’ve also noticed that people think I am slower than I am, so my having that explosive, quick first step usually surprises them, and that tends to be an advantage for me.”
Why do you play basketball?
Mason: “I have played basketball since I was very little, and my dad was a large part of it. He really liked basketball, and he was my coach for years. That’s when I started to love basketball.”
Cam: “I play basketball because of my dad, and I’d like to get to places that he may not have gone.”
Braydon: “Basketball was something I grew up with, going to Phoenix Suns games and watching NBA players who have done so much, not just on the court but off of it too. I would say it was influence from my family and influence from the very best of the best players that got me started. But when the game is over, the game is over. Basketball won’t be a forever thing, so there’s no reason to focus on what happened during the game once it’s over!”
—James Griffiths, class of ’26
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