The self-proclaimed “everybody’s favorite GRC sports team” returned to the court for its third season of action.  On Friday afternoon, the Grand Rapids Christian Unified Basketball team traveled into the bowels of Byron Center to take on our archrivals at South Christian High School.  Though the Eagles were outnumbered in terms of fan support by a 20:1 ratio (and that was even with the Girls JV that skipped practice to come support the Unified Team), they were able to show their veteran experience and pick up a valuable road-victory by the score of 51 to 30. 

The steady senior leadership of starting forward Faith Kelly showed off early in the contest.  This is not Faith’s first rodeo operating along the left baseline.  She floated in a variety of soft jumpers assisted by partners Adia Sikkema and Jake Koetje.  The Eagle offense also found some new energy from first-year athlete Joash Mallick.  Opposing teams will learn quickly that Joash not only can navigate nicely around the hoop but he will also (loudly) let you know about it.  We assured partner Keira Porte that she will be able to hear again by Monday as she was the closest in range to Joash.  The Eagles exited the first quarter with a 12 to 4 lead.

Then to start the second quarter, the Eagles pulled out the surprise attack on the Sailors – the Junior High line.  This mix contained the elusive GR Middle School ball handler Yang Fang Wildschut, his doting sibling Hannah-Grace, the very tall Micah Small, Rockford Christian Middle School energy creator Wyatt Lovell, and his wylie brother Deacon (a 4th grader).  This group was able to maintain the lead and each player notched a bucket in the already full scorebook.

The second half of the game belonged to the dynamic duo of Max Damstra and Isaac Muller.  The 1-2 scoring punch generated a kaleidoscope of buckets with easy-made assists for partners Payton Holtz and Andrew Schepel.  The ball still seems to stick to the palm of Muller on far too many occasions but Damstra showed his well-balanced patience collecting numerous put-backs for bucket after bucket.  The only thing better than the final score was the postgame homemade cookies delivered by Faith – who is always looking out for her teammates.

The Eagles hit the road again next week traveling to Holland High School on Tuesday (1/23) and Kenowa Hills on Friday (1/26).  If you want to grow as a team, you gotta win on the road.  Go Eagles!