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All Glory to Him: Chase Johnston’s Bold Witness Following NCAA Upset

It is the moment every kid with a basketball in their driveway dreams about. The clock is ticking down, the crowd is deafening, and the weight of an entire university is resting on your shoulders. In the 2026 NCAA Tournament, that dream became a reality for Chase Johnston and the High Point University Panthers. But what happened after the buzzer sounded is what has people talking even more than the scoreboard. In a world that often demands we take the credit for our own success, Chase...

It is the moment every kid with a basketball in their driveway dreams about. The clock is ticking down, the crowd is deafening, and the weight of an entire university is resting on your shoulders. In the 2026 NCAA Tournament, that dream became a reality for Chase Johnston and the High Point University Panthers. But what happened after the buzzer sounded is what has people talking even more than the scoreboard. In a world that often demands we take the credit for our own success, Chase Johnston took his moment in the spotlight to point somewhere else entirely. The Facts: A David and Goliath Story in 2026 The setting was electric. High Point University, coming in as a heavy underdog, faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers. For most of the game, it looked like the classic battle of a mid-major trying to keep pace with a powerhouse. Chase Johnston, known primarily as a lethal three-point shooter, had been having a solid game, but he hadn't yet made a two-point bucket all season. That changed when it mattered most. With seconds remaining, Johnston drove to the hoop for a game-winning layup that sent the High Point bench into a frenzy and silenced the Wisconsin faithful. The final score: High Point 72, Wisconsin 71. As the court was swarmed and the cameras rushed to find the hero of the hour, a sideline reporter caught up with Johnston. Sweat dripping, adrenaline pumping, and surrounded by the chaos of a historic upset, Johnston didn't talk about his footwork, his strategy, or his "mamba mentality." Instead, his first words were a bold testimony: “First and foremost, I just want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him, I am nothing, and this moment belongs to Him.” The Lens: The Power of a Public Testimony From a Pentecostal and Assemblies of God perspective, what we witnessed on that court wasn't just a post-game interview. It was a "witness." In our faith tradition, we believe that the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses in every corner of the earth: including the hardwood of an NCAA arena. Publicly acknowledging Jesus in a high-stakes environment is a powerful act of worship. It’s a reminder that our talents are "charisms": gifts from God intended to reflect His light back into the world. When Chase Johnston spoke those words, he wasn't just being humble; he was being obedient. He was acknowledging the source of his strength and the provider of his opportunity. In sports, we often idolize the "self-made" athlete. We love the narrative of the person who worked harder, ran faster, and willed themselves to victory. While hard work is biblical and necessary, the Christian athlete recognizes a deeper truth: every breath and every heartbeat is a gift. Johnston’s witness reminds us that the platform isn't the prize: Christ is. Biblical Lens: Colossians 3:23 When we look at Johnston’s performance through the Word, one specific verse stands out. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This verse is a foundational principle for how we should approach our careers, our hobbies, and our sports. Chase Johnston didn't just play for a trophy or for a scout's eyes. He played "with all his heart" for the Lord. The beauty of this scripture is that it levels the playing field. Whether you are hitting a game-winning shot in the NCAA Tournament or you are washing dishes at home, the call is the same: do it for Him. Johnston’s bold witness was simply the verbal expression of the way he had been playing the entire game. He worked heartily for the Lord, and when the victory came, he made sure everyone knew who he was really playing for. The Intersection of Faith and Excellence There is often a misconception that being a person of faith means being less competitive or less driven. But the opposite is true. If we are working "as for the Lord," we should be the most dedicated, the most disciplined, and the most excellent people in the room. Chase Johnston’s 14 points and his first two-point basket of the season weren't accidents. They were the result of God-given talent meeting relentless preparation. The "Bold Witness" is most effective when it is backed by excellence. People listen to the testimony of the person who gave their all on the court. In the Assemblies of God tradition, we often talk about the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" as an empowerment for service. Seeing a young man use his peak moment of athletic success to serve the Kingdom by speaking the Name of Jesus is a beautiful example of that empowerment in action. Response: Your Turn to Give Glory It is easy to cheer for Chase Johnston from the comfort of our couches, but his witness challenges us to look at our own lives. Most of us will never hit a game-winning shot in the NCAA Tournament. Most of us won't have a microphone shoved in our faces by a national reporter. However, we all have "courts" where we play. We have offices, classrooms, neighborhoods, and dinner tables. We all have moments where things go right: where we get the promotion, pass the test, or finally finish a difficult project. The question is: Who gets the credit in those moments? Next Step: Think of one area in your life where you have seen success recently. It could be something big or something small. Today, make a conscious effort to give God the glory for it. Tell a friend, write it in a journal, or simply take a moment in prayer to say, "Lord, this was You." Don't wait for a national audience to be a witness. Be a witness in the small things, and you’ll find that God will use you in ways you never expected. A Final Thought The High Point victory over Wisconsin will go down in the record books as a classic March Madness upset. But for those of us watching through the lens of faith, it’s a reminder that God uses the "small" and the "underdog" to display His glory. Chase Johnston played his heart out for 40 minutes, but it was his 30-second interview that might leave the most lasting impact. We serve a God who is present in the roar of the stadium and in the quiet of our hearts. Let's follow Chase's lead and make sure that in everything we do, we point the way back to Him. Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. For more stories on faith, culture, and the news that matters, visit our News and Politics category hub at LayneMcDonald.com/blog/categories/news-and-politics . Source: The McReport News Desk, NCAA Sports Media, High Point University Athletics.

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Dr. Layne McDonald
Creative Pastor • Filmmaker • Musician • Author
Memphis, TN

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