Abigail Brown – Lincoln, Nebraska … The varsity basketball teams at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, competed in the Union Adventist University Spring Tournament against nine other schools in Lincoln, Nebraska, February 12-16. The boys’ team made it to the championship game for the first time in nine years and took second place, losing against Andrews Academy in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The girls’ team pushed themselves to the semi-finals, ending in fourth place overall.
The boys showed motivation and determination at the tournament. EJ Woy, a senior on the Campion team, stated, “Even though I was injured, since it was my last year at tournament, it motivated me to give my all to the team and support them.”
A highlight of the tournament happened during the boys’ semi-final against Sunnydale Academy in Centralia, Missouri. Although Campion had already won against Sunnydale in a previous game, the game had remained tightly contested and hard fought. In the last 10 seconds, Sunnydale pulled ahead of Campion by two points. With six seconds left, Campion’s Joshua Fresse scored a 3-pointer to win the game and send them to the finals. Campion’s team, along with a crowd of alumni supporters, erupted in cheers.
Zach Harlow, Campion freshman, expressed, “The shot was amazing, and it gave me motivation to push through the finals.”
The boys’ team worked hard together to reach a common goal throughout their season. Amani Zeru, Campion sophomore, shared, “We all came together, committed, whether it was practice or a real game.”
Campion girls’ team lost their first game against Madison Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, but the next day they powered through and won all three games, taking them to the semi-finals where they lost against Andrews Academy.
Recalling the performance of the girls’ team, Damaris Lopez-Morquecho, Campion team captain, explained, “Even when we did lose a few games, we didn’t let it get to us. Instead, we moved forward and worked hard.”
In addition to the games, the teams from the nine different academies came together for worship on Friday night and for a Sabbath service. On Friday night, Union had a vespers service talking about walking with Jesus, and, afterwards, there was an afterglow program where the students from different schools came together and sang and gave glory to God.
Lopez-Morquecho expressed, “I really enjoyed making new friends that were rivals on the court, coming together to make new memories.”
Overall, the tournament was a good bonding experience for the teams. Aspen Phelps, Campion freshman, stated, “I really enjoyed connecting with my teammates this season and learning together.”
—Abigail Brown, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.
