"The Reborn Fire Powering Lighthouse’s New Run"

Lucas Haymer

@Ball_Luke_Ball

Class of 2026

Lighthouse Christian School, TN

IG: @LHaymer30

Lucas arrived at Lighthouse Christian School with a story few understood from the outside. At his previous school, he struggled to find opportunity, struggled to feel valued, and struggled to stay connected to the game he truly loved. Confidence faded. Joy dimmed. Basketball was starting to feel like something slipping out of his hands instead of something he was meant to hold. But everything changed the moment he stepped through the doors at Lighthouse. The atmosphere felt different. Championship banners lined the walls. Tradition carried weight. Faith was the foundation. Brotherhood was real. He looked around, took it in, and something inside him lit back up. This was not just a new school. This was renewal. This was home.

The door opened for Lucas because of a call from former NBA player Dante Jones, a respected voice in Tennessee basketball who believed in him and refused to let his potential fall away. Jones encouraged Lucas and his father to trust a new path, to consider Lighthouse, and to give the game another chance in the right environment. That call led Lucas straight to Coach Smith and straight into a program built on everything he needed.

The connection was immediate. Lighthouse welcomed him with open arms. The God first foundation spoke directly to the values he was raised with. Lucas grew up in a strong Christian home, guided by faith, prayer, and the leadership of his father, who serves as a deacon. Seeing those same principles woven into Lighthouse made the decision easy. It felt natural. It felt right. It felt like family.

His first training session confirmed everything he had hoped. The players clicked with him quickly. The unity and hunger inside the gym created a bond that felt genuine. He saw teammates who competed hard, encouraged each other, and held themselves to a higher standard. The tradition sealed the feeling. Lighthouse had built something special through the years, something that demanded commitment and rewarded sacrifice. Lucas wanted to be part of that legacy.

Now he steps onto the court with energy, confidence, and renewed joy. He plays with purpose. He plays with gratitude. And he plays with a deep understanding that basketball is a gift God placed in his life for a reason. Lighthouse did not just restore his confidence. It gave him direction. It gave him a mission.

This season is about more than wins. It is about leadership, connection, and pushing this program toward something bigger. Lucas believes in his teammates and values the bond they share. When facing adversity, he stays calm, refocuses, and helps steady the group. He understands the responsibility of representing Lighthouse and embraces it fully.

The state tournament is the expectation. The national tournament is the dream. Lighthouse has not reached the national stage since 2014, and Lucas wants to help change that. His family pushes him to give his best every day, and he carries that motivation into every practice and every game.

When he stands beneath the national championship banner hanging in the gym, he imagines adding another one. He imagines helping lead Lighthouse back to a place the program has been hungry to return to for a decade.

Lucas Haymer came to Lighthouse at the perfect time. The school gave him hope. He gave the school new energy. Now, both move forward with purpose, faith, and belief in what is possible.

I assess that Lucas brings a strong combination of maturity, composure, and quiet confidence that fits exactly with what Lighthouse stands for. He understands the culture, buys into the standard, and adds stability on and off the floor. His willingness to trust coaching, embrace his role, and lift the players around him gives the program another steady voice in big moments. With his background, values, and renewed belief, he strengthens the heartbeat of a team chasing championships.

Moving forward, Lucas is positioned to grow into a key leader whose impact stretches beyond the box score. His restored joy for the game, commitment to daily work, and connection to his teammates set him up to influence games through decision-making, toughness, and poise. As he continues to develop, he has the potential to become one of the main anchors of this Lighthouse group, guiding younger players, fueling deep postseason runs, and leaving a lasting mark on a program built on faith and tradition. Stay tuned.