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Health & Fitness

Falcons sweep Parkview Christian for first hoops wins of season

In 2012-2013, Parkview Christian Academy swept all four of its boys basketball games with Faith Christian Academy.

Last season seemed like ancient history on Thursday.

Faith Christian (2-1) notched its first victory of the 2013-14 season with a 27-19 JV win over Parkview at FCA. The Falcons' varsity made it a doubleheader sweep by blitzing Parkview 54-40 in the nightcap. Two solid games, FCA!

The varsity Falcons (1-1) grabbed control of the second game from the outset. Faith ripped off an 18-2 first-quarter lead behind great halfcourt team defense that forced Parkview into several turnovers and contested shots, strong rebounding and a quick-striking offense led by Greg Betzelos' 11 points and 3 assists.

Parkview sliced the lead to 26-17 at halftime and crept within 26-19 early in the third quarter before Faith picked up its defensive intensity, shutting down the visitors' offense while scoring 8 unanswered points capped by a jumper from Ben Riner that stretched the margin back to 34-19. FCA kept expanding its lead from there, moving ahead by as much as 51-28 on a defensive rebound by Greg and then a 3/4-court pass from Greg to Ben, who drew the defender and dished to Ethan Hansen for the layin. The Falcons then emptied their bench and cruised to victory.

Greg paced FCA with 24 points and Ben contributed 21 points to lead Faith to the win. Greg added 4 three-pointers, shot 10 of 17 from the field and dished out 5 assists, while Ben shot 9 for 14 and added 3-for-4 free throw shooting. Greg earned the hustle award, and Ben won the best attitude award. Great hustle, performances and leadership, guys! Ethan chipped in with 8 points, hustled upcourt to get open behind the defense for fast breaks and played strong perimeter defense. Josiah Gartner rounded out the scoring with a fourth-quarter free throw.

Like the varsity squad, the JV Falcons (1-0) burst out to a quick first-quarter lead en route to victory. FCA used solid team defense and good passing and movement to create easy shots around the basket to jump in front 10-2 and later 14-7. Michael Heredia opened the scoring with a banked-in shot from the low post, and Chris Nosewicz added six points in the opening quarter.

Faith maintained a six- to eight-point lead the rest of the game. Ben helped keep FCA in control with 11 points and solid defense and rebounding, and Cole Schulze delivered six key assists and four points while playing the entire game running the offense at point guard, earning the hustle award and congratulations from his teammates afterwards for a hard-fought performance. Good work, Cole! Michael capped the victory with his second basket of the game and earned the best attitude award with his defense, scrappy effort and first two baskets as a Falcon. Way to go, Mongoose! Several other Falcons teammates pitched in to contribute to the win, including Bryce Riner with 2 points, Sam Tiedke, Johnny Psyhos, Ethan Winkler, Derek Haaf, Josiah and Henry McGowen. The sixth-man award goes to the Psyhos family for their enthusiastic cheering and support of the team from the bleachers. You guys were fantastic, and that was the loudest FCA's gym has sounded for a basketball or volleyball game in about six years!

The small but mighty Falcons practice on Monday and Tuesday till 5:15 to prepare for a doubleheader with Naperville Christian Academy on Wednesday and a seventh-grade game at Rotolo Middle School on Thursday.

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