The Patriot way: American Heritage stands unique in its approach to athletics
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- American Heritage Coach Paora Winitana instructs his players during a timeout during his team’s 71-61 win over Logan. January 14, 2026
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- American Heritage center Josue Kajinga towers over the defense to score two of his 23 points during a 71-61 win over Logan. January 14, 2026
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- American Heritage embraces a faith-based culture, inscribing the words ‘Heart, Might, Mind, Strength’ on the back of the player’s jerseys. January 14, 2026
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- American Heritage forward James Matsen scores on a fast break dunk during his team’s 71-61 win over Logan. January 14, 2026
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- Josue Kajinga has made a huge impact for American Heritage since arriving from Congo last year. January 14, 2026
It’s been a little over six years since American Heritage Academy basketball coach Paora Winitana was first introduced to the school and basketball program that he now fully embraces.
A native New Zealander, Winitana came to the states back in 2019 in hopes of enrolling his son, who shares his father’s name, at Wasatch Academy. While there, it was suggested to them both that American Heritage may provide a better option, due to several factors, most prominently being their shared interest in the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which the Patriots sports programs and curriculum champion considerably.
“I loved it and knew it was the perfect place for my son,” Coach Winitana recalled. “I didn’t know anybody, at all. I just went there to drop him off, had a few conversations and jumped back on the plane to fly back to New Zealand. Of course I loved the place, the campus and especially the principals of the school, but I didn’t feel back then that I’d have much involvement other than having my son go to school there.”
A few days after arriving back home to New Zealand, Coach Winitana received a call that would change the course of his and his family’s life considerably.
“I guess I impressed them while there, and they flat out told me their belief that God wants me there,” Coach Winitana said. “I told them that they were crazy, but eventually they convinced me and here I am, six year later and I absolutely love being here and it’s been a tremendous blessing to be part of this great program.”
Winitana works as both the boys and girls basketball coach for the Patriots and has worked ardently to lift the play, but more importantly, as he states, the values inherent within the two programs and the academy, in general.
As mentioned, American Heritage is a program that doesn’t shy away from its principles, which is exemplified by the basketball team wearing jerseys with the words ‘Heart, might, mind, strength’ on the back, which is a verse from section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which is considered scripture for members of the LDS Church.
It’s a message embraced by players, such as James Matsen, who is tied for top scoring average in the entire state of Utah, currently.
“I used to go to American Fork (High School), but I love how the gospel is intertwined with the program here, and that’s the biggest reason why I’m here,” Matsen said. “Coach is great in holding us to the values we all share and it’s been great to go to school here and play for the basketball program.”
While not a member of the LDS Church, Josue Kajinga strongly adheres to the same Christian values having immigrated from Congo a few years ago.
“That kid is so special,” Coach Winitana said of Kajinga. “He’s god-fearing and he loves the Savior. He’s gone through things with his family in Congo that we couldn’t even imagine. He’s working to get the rest of his family here, but he’s living with burdens most of us couldn’t imagine.”
Turns out that Kajinga is a standout athlete, too.
In a 71-61 win over Logan last Wednesday, Kajinga tied for the team-lead in scoring 23 points while using his superior 6-foot-8 frame to dominate the play on both ends of the court.
“He’s actually a soccer player and had never even played basketball until he got here,” Coach Winitana said. “You can see how amazing he is athletically and I truly believe he’s the most athletic player in the state. It’s hard to believe he’s only really been playing basketball for three years now.”
As for the Patriot’s team, as a whole, they’re now 10-6 on the season having logged big wins against teams that enjoy significant larger enrollments.
“We’re only 2A Classification, but even that’s a joke when you see the amount of kids we graduate every year,” Winitana said. “But the kids we do have are so amazing in every way. They’re the ones who make American Heritage what it is and any success we have is because of them. I’m just privileged with the opportunity to coach so many great young men and women.”
