How Providence Christian Academy basketball teams have benefitted from Bjornstad sibling transfers
Judson Bjornstad and his sister, Kayte Madison Bjornstad, both dominated in multiple sports at Franklin Road Christian School.
But they yearned to try their hand at competing at the TSSAA-sanctioned level.
Their desire to face stronger competition turned out to be a big gain for Providence Christian Academy after the two transferred there prior to the school year. And big is the operative word here.
Judson, at 6-foot-7, and Kayte Madison, at 6-1, have made the transition to PCA a seamless one on the basketball court, picking up where they left off at FRCS.
"That's what we were looking for ... a schedule change and (more) exposure," said Judson, who is also a standout baseball pitcher. He is signed to play both basketball and baseball at Union University. "We ended up making the move here, and I'm so glad we did."
Changing schools when you're a senior is tough enough. Doing it when the family was heavily involved in the previous church and school made the decision even more difficult for the Bjornstads. Their father, Jeremy Bjornstad, was the boys basketball coach at FRCS before the family transitioned to PCA.
"It was tough," said Judson, who scored more than 1,200 points at FRCS and is averaging 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals for PCA. He scored 12 points in a 76-37 win over rival MTCS Friday. "Our family prayed about it and we really talked to a lot of people. We thought it was the right year."
The Lions (13-2) have won 13 in a row and have dominated opponents with three starters who are 6-7. Bjornstad, who is a guard, makes it that much tougher for opponents on both ends of the court.
"It's a luxury to have, for sure," PCA boys coach Kerry Hammonds II said. "Judson is a real high IQ player. He handles the ball real well, especially for his size. He has good demeanor on the floor, shoots well from the outside. He gives us a lot of length defensively and a better opportunity to rebound and push. He fits in exactly how we want to play. It's been a seamless transition."
Kayte Madison, a sophomore, already has a state championship under her belt. She was a starting middle blocker on the PCA volleyball team that took the DII-A crown in October. She has been a huge asset for the girls basketball team (11-3) as well, averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds thus far. She scored 13 in a 63-47 win over MTCS Friday.
"I've loved every minute of (the move)," Kayte Madison said. "It was great coming here and winning a state volleyball championship. Everything here has been so amazing. God really gave us a great transition here. Everything has gone perfect for me."
Kayte Madison has given PCA and coach Tara James a dominant post presence, something the team hasn't had in a while. But James raves as much about her character as her play on the court.
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"She's a fantastic human being," said James, also the school's athletic director. "She's kind, considerate, very coachable. Just one of those kids that makes your team and your school better in every way. She impacts the game in a way you can't do with a lot of guards, which is what we've had. It's a blessing to be able to coach a kid like that."
Both PCA basketball teams have high hopes for a deep postseason run, and the Bjornstad siblings have been a big part of that success.
"(Kayte Madison) rubs it in that she has a state title and I don't have one yet," said Judson, with a laugh. "We'll get there. For us to get a chance to share that has been really special."
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TSSAA basketball: Bjornstad siblings have been big boost for PCA teams
