Category Archives: Pirate Pride

50 Years of Girls Basketball: 1000 Point Club Recognition – November 26th

We know you’re excited about today’s alumni games against New Washington and we hope to see you there at 6:00, but we want to remind you that Tuesday, November 26th is a big night in the Charlestown Sports Arena!

Not only do we have a triple header on tap, but we’ll also be kicking off the 50 Years of Girls Basketball recognitions with those players in the 1,000 Point Club! Please come join us!

5:00 PM JV Boys

6:30 PM Varsity Girls

8:00 PM Varsity Boys

WPMQ will be providing a live broadcast of the varsity games on 99.3 FM and via stream.

CHARLESTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF GIRLS BASKETBALL – HONORING A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Charlestown, IN – This year marks the 50th year of Girls Basketball recognized by the IHSAA. Charlestown High School is thrilled to recognize the 50th anniversary of its Girls Basketball program, a milestone that marks half a century of dedication, talent, and success. Recognized as the most successful athletic program in the school’s history, Charlestown Girls Basketball has fostered generations of athletes, exemplifying teamwork, resilience, and school pride.

Since its inception, the program has consistently raised the bar for athletic achievement at Charlestown High School. Boasting an impressive record of conference titles, regional championships, and state tournament success, the Girls Basketball program stands as a beacon of athletic excellence in our community. This legacy of success would not be possible without the commitment of countless players, coaches, and supporters over the years, each contributing to the program’s storied reputation.

“We are incredibly proud of what our Girls Basketball program has accomplished over the past 50 years,” said Charlestown High School Principal Bill Eihusen. “This anniversary is not only a celebration of their remarkable achievements on the court, but also of the dedication and sportsmanship that each player, coach, and fan has brought to our school. The legacy they have built is a testament to the strength of our community and the values we uphold.”

To commemorate this historic occasion, Charlestown High School will host a special celebration event on January 25, 2025, inviting alumni, current team members, and supporters to come together and honor the program’s rich history. The afternoon will feature a walk down memory lane with speeches, awards, and the unveiling of a commemorative display honoring the teams and players who have shaped the program. This event along with the events listed below will be a snap shot to the history of our Girls Basketball program

Athletic Director, Chad Gilbert expressed the significance of this milestone, stating, “It’s an honor to be part of a program with such a rich history. Each player, past and present, has contributed to this legacy, and we look forward to building upon this foundation for many years to come.”

Charlestown High School invites the community to join in celebrating this landmark achievement. Together, let’s honor 50 years of incredible athletes, unforgettable games, and the unwavering Pirate spirit that defines Charlestown Girls Basketball.

Schedule of Events:

11/26 1,000 Point Scorers Recognition (6:30 PM vs New Washington)

1/11 Holiday Tournament, Sectional and Regional Champions along with Special Recognition to Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Kristen (Mattox) Cox (12:00 PM vs Brownstown)

1/18 MSC Champs, Coaches, State Finalist Team along with Special Recognition to Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Abby Conklin ((1:00 vs Richmond)

1/25 50 Year Celebration Wrap-up: All former players, coaches, cheerleaders, band, and managers are welcome back (12:00 PM vs Salem)

A WPMQ SPECIAL FEATURE: Brandon Broady Tackles Type 1 Diabetes

 

A WPMQ SPECIAL FEATURE STORY

Brandon Broady Tackles Type 1 Diabetes

By Lizzie Hill and Sara Abell

Brandon Broady, a sophomore student athlete at Charlestown High School, manages school, three sports, and Type 1 diabetes (T1D). It isn’t every day that a student is dedicated to three sports and equally plays them well. It’s even more rare to find a student who does this and manages an autoimmune disease that could greatly impact his health.

Brandon was diagnosed with T1D in 2017. He first noticed his symptoms when his appetite changed and he began to drink excessive amounts of water. When he first learned of his diagnosis, he was curious because he didn’t really know anything about the disease. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition in which the pancreas creates little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to allow sugar to enter cells in order to produce energy. This affects blood sugar levels and can cause hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which are both an influx in blood sugar levels. Both of these effects can have a devastating impact on one’s body and if blood sugar levels aren’t controlled this can lead to other illnesses, including death. Blood sugar levels have a direct impact on strength, speed, stamina, and flexibility. It is important that athletes with diabetes keep a close eye on their health to reach optimal performance.

Brandon has had his hands on a baseball since the age of 3, picked up basketball in 3rd grade, and rounded out his sports with tennis in 6th grade. Playing sports is an important part of Brandon’s life and he won’t let any diagnosis stop him from accomplishing his goals. Type 1 diabetes can have a wide range of effects on one’s performance during various sports so Brandon makes sure to keep a close eye on managing his condition in order to continue physical activities. When active in sports, Brandon tries to balance his blood sugar levels as best as he can in order to reach peak performance with an app on his phone and by human nature. He can easily tell if his blood sugar levels are off because he begins to feel tired, which would be an obvious negative effect to a three-sport athlete like Brandon. His go-to snacks to help his blood sugar levels are peanut butter crackers and Gatorade. He says it’s not scary because he has gotten used to it and it’s just a normal part of his life that he has learned to manage. 

With the diabetes have come some opportunities for Brandon. He serves as a youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).  JDRF has led the search for a cure for T1D since its founding in 1970. And just this week he got to listen to a speech by the Big 10 Baseball Coach of the Year, Jeff Mercer, from Indiana University Bloomington talk about playing ball and it really made Brandon feel good to hear him say that he is willing to work with and help those with some type of disability or impairment.  

Brandon says, “ Type 1 diabetes has inspired me to be more healthy because of the consequences it can have on your body later in life.” Managing Type 1 diabetes and keeping up with sports can be hard, but Brandon has proved it’s achievable. He goes on to tell other athletes to,“Stay strong and keep ahead of the game.”

Pirate Pride Announces Board Election Results

The Charlestown Pirate Pride Booster Club held annual elections in accordance with its constitution last night, August 13th, 2018 during a quorum in attendance.  I am pleased to announce our new team dedicated to the continued operation and growth of Charlestown’s High School’s Booster Club.  The results of the election are as follows:

Mrs. Tammy Adams (formerly the Booster Club Secretary) was elected as the new President;

Mr. Chuck Ledbetter (myself-formerly the Booster Club President) was elected as the new Vice President;

Mr. Tony Kaelin (long time community and Pirate Booster) was elected as the new Treasurer;

Ms. Youlanda Carrico (second year student athlete parent and new volleyball parent rep) was elected as the new Secretary;

Mr. Lynn “Bud” McQuillen (former Booster Club Vice President) was elected as the new Publicity Director.

We want to take a moment to thank retiring Treasurer Mr. Jeremy Vincent for his hard work and dependability during his stint on the Pirate Pride Board.

With Pirate Pride……GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

2018 CHS Graduation to be Broadcasted LIVE

WPMQ, The Pirate Network and CHS student radio and television program, will produce and broadcast Saturday’s (June 9th) 2018 Charlestown High School commencement ceremony live beginning at 10:00 a.m.  “We would love for you to attend in person and honor our graduates, but if you cannot, you can view the live ceremony at the link below”, stated program director Melissa Stewart.  Use the following internet link to watch and listen Saturday using your computer or mobile device:

https://livestream.com/gccschools/chsgrad2018

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