Well, we traveled down to Watertown, WI to Maranatha Baptist Bible College to participate in the Midwest region Tip-off event. It’s an annual event where the seven teams from our region get together to play two games over three days. We rotate the site from school to school each year. Unfortunately, we found out a few weeks ago that Lincoln Christian University wouldn’t have a team this semester, therefore we received a win for Friday night’s scheduled game by forfeit. I’m thankful it looks like Lincoln and head coach Amanda Bowman will be able to resume their schedule after Christmas break, and will try to schedule a make-up game. Amanda is a good friend and great coach, so I know she’s thankful to be able to impact lives of the Lincoln young ladies through basketball.
For our “second” game of the weekend, we beat Emmaus Bible College (Dubuque, IA) 63-33 on Saturday afternoon. The game was played at our tempo and with our girls showing great intensity from the opening tip. However, for as many turnovers as we forced in the first half, we committed almost as many trying to transition too quickly. In fact, with about 10 minutes left in the half, Emmaus missed a fast-break layup that would have given them the lead. We went on to outscore them 20-10 to finish the half, and that jump started us into the second half when ultimately finished the game on a 43-14 run. One of the things we talked about at half was that we looked like we were playing too "uptight" and not having fun (despite leading by 11). That definitely changed after the break, and we were able pull away. I was glad that everyone (with the exception of Jenni Delorge, just finishing the school play last night) got to play today. I thought that Ellie Hodak played one of her better games for us. It was more than just her team-leading 17 points, three rebounds and two steals. She made some nice adjustments in the second half to get to the rim and finish, as well as reduce her turnovers. Also, Brooke VanLaanen (a.k.a. “Van”) came off the bench and played some great defense. Although she wasn’t credited with a steal, she really frustrated the Emmaus point guard into making poor passes that we converted into points. Tiffany Chatfield scored 14 and Abbey Armstrong added 10. Rebekah Watson led us again rebounds with eight, and also scored eight points. Lydia Hodak did a nice job running the point for us. She dished out nine assists and collected six steals. Bri Leverson added five points and three steals off of the bench.
Perhaps the stat I was most encouraged by was our work from the free throw line: 15 of 19 for 79%. First, you don’t get to the line 19 times unless your aggressive going to the rim. But even when you do, you have to make them and we were solid from the line.
Emmaus is an improved team from last year. Coach Justin Smith, along with the other coaches in the Midwest region, is a highlight of coaching in this region. He has that team on the right path. They have some really good young players that will be difficult to defend in the near future.
It’s nice to move to 3-2 on the season, 2-1 in region. We have a practice before Thanksgiving break, and one on the Monday afterwards before hosting University of Wisconsin-Marinette on Tuesday, Dec. 1. As we discussed in our team devos at the hotel this morning, we (as a team) have much to be thankful for and many opportunities for fellowship and discipleship over the break. Please pray we will be salt and light everywhere we go.
Check back soon for a post about "life on the road" with the team.
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