Faith Christian caps standout boys hoops season with Spirit Day wins

With a packed Spirit Day crowd cheering on the Falcons, Faith Christian Academy closed out a terrific boys basketball season with victories over Aurora Christian's 7th- and 8th-grade B squads on Friday in the friendly confines of FCA's gym. The doubleheader sweep left Faith's final season record at a spiffy 12 wins and 4 losses.

The Falcons did a great job of refusing to let their youth (12 of the 14 players were fourth, fifth and sixth graders facing seventh- and eighth-grade competition across the season) and lack of size deter them from pursuing their God-given potential and giving their best effort to learn and improve in practices and games. Congratulations to the team on a tremendous record and season and playing all in for Him!

FCA tipped off the twinbill with a 31-18 victory over Aurora Christian's 7th-grade B team. The Falcons bolted out to a 9-4 first-quarter lead, going ahead for good on a jumper by Cole Schulze and extending their lead on a pair of jump shots by Andrew Conrad in the fourth-grader's FCA debut. Faith's lead grew to 18-6 at the half on back-to-back driving baskets by Ben Riner.

ACS clawed within 27-18 in the fourth quarter, but Faith clamped down on defense and closed out the win with a rebound basket by Chris Nosewicz and a mid-range jumper by Sam Tiedke. Way to finish out the game strong, Falcons!

Like in the opener, FCA jumped out to a 15-7 first-quarter lead behind a 10-point outburst from Ben Riner. ACS's eighth-grade squad rallied in the second quarter, drawing within one point on two occasions while Faith battled foul trouble. But the Falcons executed their offense flawlessly near the end of the quarter, scoring baskets on a pick-and-roll jumper by Cole Schulze and a drive and pull-up jumper by Ben to preserve a 23-20 halftime edge.

The Eagles and Falcons traded the lead several times throughout the third quarter. ACS took its final lead 35-34 in the fourth quarter before FCA cranked up its defensive intensity, forcing turnovers and contested jump shots with hands in shooters' faces that led to a series of quick-striking fast breaks on defensive rebounds and laser-like long passes by Greg Betzelos to Ben, who either finished the break with baskets and free throws or made the extra pass to Ethan Hansen for layups. A transition layup by Ben surged Faith ahead for good 36-35, and Ethan's layin off a feed from Ben made it 38-35. A three-point play by Greg increased the lead to 41-36, and Greg added two free throws for a 43-36 advantage. Ethan's second fast-break layup of the quarter pushed the lead to 45-36, and a jumper by Cole gave FCA a double-digit edge at 47-36 en route to the victory.

Ben paced Faith with 21 points, and Greg added 19. including 6 for 8 free throws.

Special thanks to Terri McCormick for organizing an outstanding Spirit Day event for FCA and FCBS students and their families. The event made a great impact on everyone, including the boys basketball players.