State Champs

Both Flight’s Girls teams won state championships Saturday, along with the JV Boys. The Girls beat Crown again, and the JV Boys beat Covenant for the third time this year, 60 – 35 this time. The Varsity Boys barely lost to Sound Doctrine, the eventual state champ. The championships were dedicated to Willis, celebrating his 20th birthday.

The JV Girls made quick work of their Crown rivals. With only five players available, Abby was brought back for support. It was a good thing, as Audrey was knocked out with an injury. Audrey and Hannah were named Most Outstanding Players.

Saturday night the Varsity Girls had an easier time with Flight, perhaps in part by Courtney’s return. Kara and Danielle were named Most Outstanding Players.

JV Boys…12…26…39…60
Covenant…8…20…25…35

The Boys outscored Covenant in each quarter, cruising to the win. DJ and Conner were named MOPs after the JV game. DJ recorded a double-double and also drew three charging calls, helping foul out one of Covenant’s best players. Connor’s play was likened to a basketball immortal, as the announcer called him “Connie”…surely referring to Connie Hawkins. Connie Smith scored a game-high 22 points.

The game remained scoreless for several long minutes in the first quarter, before Flight scored the first six points. Connor basketed first, and later fed inside to Kevin for two more. DJ scored next, then later grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled on the put-back, and made one of two foul shots. Kevin assisted Isaac, who then passed to Connor for a three.

DJ kept things going in quarter two, with a quick steal, offensive board, and basket. Connor grabbed an offensive rebound of his own, and made the putback. Later in the quarter he would do it again. Isaac assisted on both a DJ basket and later on one of Connor’s two second-quarter three-pointers. Flight extended the lead to ten, before Covenant scored the last two baskets of the half.

Coach Dan managed to insert his entire bench in the first half. Jonathan K had a steal and rebound, and Will snared two second-quarter boards. Joe saw action. In the fourth quarter Jonathan, Joel, Jake, and Will all got rebounds.

Flight scored the first eight points in the second half, launching a 13 – 4 run, for a 15 point lead. DJ fed Kevin, then Connor fed DJ for an “alley-oop”. Josh’s play blossomed with extended playing time, and he had a sweet rebound-putback basket. DJ’s rebound was passed quickly downcourt to Isaac for two. Connor hit a free throw, Josh had another offensive rebound and putback basket, and DJ scored.

More of the same in the fourth quarter. DJ was playin perhaps his best ball of the season, on both ends of the court. Josh, Kevin, and Connor were also clicking at high levels. Joel hit a foul shot, making Willis proud. Then on three straight possessions DJ scored a basket, then two straight threes. With their biggest lead of the day, Flight led 50 – 30, and DJ was pulled from the game.

I thought at this point Covenant might eat into the lead, but Flight actually extended the lead without DJ. Kevin scored six of his ten points in the fourth, all on sweet baseline moves…fed by Connor, Isaac, and Jonathan. Connor hit from inside, and Isaac sank two foul shots. Kevin’s last basket gave Flight their biggest lead: 25 points. Flight won 60-35.

Connie…22 pt, 5 RB, 3 assists, steal
DJ……19 pt, 11 RB, 2 assists, 2 steals
Kevin…10 pt, 4 RB, assist
Isaac…6 pt, 3 RB, 4 assists, steal
Josh…4 pt, 6 RB, 2 steals
Joel…1 point, rebound
Jonathan K…2 RB, assist, steal
Will…3 RB, steal
Jake…rebound
Joe…babysat 25 kids at NP that night