Faith Christian tips off 19th season of boys basketball program

The 2013-2014 Faith Christian Academy boys basketball team was introduced to the student body at a raucous pep assembly on Thursday just prior to the Falcons' season-opening game. FCA battled Haines Middle School tough for much of the first half before the Hurricanes grabbed the lead for good just before halftime en route to a 44-23 victory to tip off Faith's new schedule.

Trailing 12-7 after one quarter, the Falcons tightened their defense and went on a 7-0 run to catapult in front 14-12 on a 3-pointer by Greg Betzelos. After Haines answered with a three, another three by Greg gave FCA a 17-15 lead. Haines took the lead for good 18-17 and was up 21-17 at the half.

Greg paced Faith with 15 points and made several great passes to teammates to set them up for easy shots. Ben Riner added six points and several rebounds and earned the hustle award, while fifth-grader Chris Nosewicz won the best attitude award for playing hard-nosed defense and rebounding and supplying solid screens and effort against an all-seventh-grade squad.

The following players represent Faith Christian in the 19th year of boys hoops at the school: team captain Greg Betzelos, co-captains Ben Riner and Charlie Heredia, Ethan Hansen, Chris Nosewicz, Cole Schulze, Josiah Gartner, Sam Tiedke, Bryce Riner, Ethan Winkler, Michael Heredia, Derek Haaf, Johnny Psyhos and Henry McGowen.

After introductions, the Falcons competed against some of Faith's girls basketball players in a friendly annual competition. The girls edged the boys in a "mano a mano" basketball game and won a dribbling relay before Greg took the girls-guys knockout game. The varsity volleyball team then got to pie its coaches in the face at the end of the pep rally. The coaches had told the team they could pie them if they achieved two goals: breaking the single-season school record for victories and advancing to the final round of the LSA state tournament. The VB Falcons accomplished both goals!