Friday afternoon we arrived at the gym about an hour before game time and received word that Mitch was in the hospital getting x-rays on his leg to determine if playing could cause further damage to the muscle.  We did not know if he could play or not play or even if he would make the game.  We changed our starting lineup and started our pre-game routine.  But something was different.  The attitude had changed.  ALL the players appeared to be focused and highly motivated.  The previous game had been forgotten.  The season long struggles had been forgotten.  The adversity surrounding the team and the school had been forgotten.  Then we received word that Mitch was on his way and planned on playing even though he would need to play through the pain, because it wasn’t going to go away (adrenaline can be a wonderful temporary healer).   First Assembly is not a good shooting team so the game plan was to pick up the First Assembly players just inside the 3 point line but let them have the long outside shots.  We have started almost every game with a turnover but this time we scored off the opening tip-off, the first time all year.  Of course First Assembly came down and hit a 3 pointer then came down and hit another 3 pointer on their next possession.  The Falcons didn’t seem to notice, they were that focused.  They held onto the ball  making crisp precise passes and good decisions.  With only seconds remaining in he first quarter Caleb Robinson stole a pass and drove the length of the floor and layed it in to give the Falcons a 14-12 lead just before the buzzer sounded.

The game remained extremely tight in the second quarter.  Our defense was playing well but First Assembly was shooting lights out and knocked down two more three pointers.  Coach extended the man to man defense to half court but First Assembly was on fire and could have scored from the parking lot.  The Falcons didn’t blink.  They matched basket for basket.  Joel VanDusen would lead the Falcons with 13 first half points.  Apparently Joel and Caleb Robinson had decided no one was going to score on them underneath the basket.  Almost every time a First Assembly player would try to drive the lane and get off a shot, he would find the ball flying back in his face.  There were no easy touch fouls.  Joel has developed into the physical player he needs to be but Robinson had come to play.   Caleb can be intimidating when he wants the ball.  He constantly took the ball away from the First Assembly players on rebounds and is a natural shot blocker.  Caleb Robinson was inspiring in the first half.  We clung to a 29-28 lead at the half time break because First Assembly was putting on a shooting clinic from long distance.

Coach’s half time speech to the players:  Keep doing what we are doing,  keep the intensity level up,  First Assembly cannot continue to shoot that well.  The third quarter started and the Falcons did everything the coach asked of them but First Assembly didn’t cooperate.  Not only did they hit three more 3 pointers but one player tried to get an altered shot over the out stretched hand of Caleb Robinson that would have been considered an infield pop up in baseball (the infield fly rule could have been called and probably should have been called but referees have a tendency to miss a few calls now and then).  Naturally the shot went in.  The Falcons still did not flinch as they stared into the eyes of the First Assembly players and said if that’s all you got its not enough.  Caleb Robinson was knocking down shots from under the basket while Mitch Moore and Daniel Zangmeister matched every three-point basket from First Assembly with a three pointer of their own.  The Falcons lead 48-45 heading into the fourth quarter.

Three quarters of spine tinkling, nerve-racking basketball had been played and neither team had backed down.  ARBOR-BOR-BROOK rang throughout the gym.  The fourth quarter started and the Joel VanDusen show began.  And First Assembly blinked!  The Falcons were not going to be denied.  The Falcon lead grew to 5 , then 7, then 9.  First Assembly started to rush their shots and they no longer dropped.  Caleb or Joel grabbed every single rebound.  Joel scored from all over the lane hitting 4 of 5 shots.  Mitch knocked down another three pointer.  The Falcons led by 11 with less than 2 minutes to go.  The three-point shot in basketball can change momentum in less than a heartbeat.   First Assembly put up a rainbow shot from deep in the corner that struck gold and the lead was down to 8.  A missed free throw on our end and a quick basket by First Assembly and the once comfortable lead of 11 was down to 6 with a little more than a minute to go.  Coach called time out and said were fine.  We have control of the game.  It would come down to free throws.

We had practiced all year for this final minute.  Joel was fouled on the in-bounds pass and calmly stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws.  Mitch would soon follow with 4 more free throws as we ended the game hitting our last 6 attempts.  The game was over.  The Falcons had won by a score of 68-59.   Joel ended up scoring 26 points with 15 rebounds.  Caleb had a career high 18 rebounds with 12 points.  Caleb and Joel combined for 9 blocked shots and 33 of the team’s 47 rebounds (First Assembly was held to 27 rebounds) -  Mitch Moore scored 13 points and Daniel Zangmeister may have played his best all round game ever.  Daniel’s back to back 3 pointers in the third quarter negated the 3 pointers hit by First Assembly and stopped any momentum shift.  Forest Landa ended the game with 6 points and Kyle Boutross added 3 points.  Caleb Farmer did not score but directed the offense from the point guard position.  The Falcons had only one turnover in the fourth quarter and only 11 turnovers for the game.

This was the last time this team will have played together.   They ended the season on a high note when they could have phoned it in.  Most of the players will not be back next year.  Joel VanDusen and Caleb Farmer are two of the players that will not be returning.  Coach and I have been with both of them since the Mineral Springs days when the Arborbrook basketball program first started.  Neither one of them had any idea how to play the game of basketball and neither had a clue as to how much running they would do over the next four years.  I have watched two young boys grow into fine young men.  I will miss them both and I know Scott will miss them.  I wish them luck but I do not think they will need it.  They have bright futures and I thank their parents for letting them be a part of my life.  Thanks to all the parents for once more allowing us to be a small part of your lives and the lives of your sons.  You should all be very proud of yours sons, I know I am.

Note to Arborbrook students: The ABOR-BOR-BROOK chant and the stomping on the bleachers is like a 6th player on the court.  It is one of the most awesome chants I have ever heard.  No team in the conference or on our schedule can come anywhere close to matching it.  It intimidates our opponents while inspiring our players.  It builds momentum.  It makes the gym rock.

Caleb Robinson was named to the all tournament team.   Joel VanDusen made the CACAA all conference team.  Congratulations to both players.

If we win, we will play in the Championship Game on Friday, February 25th at 7:00pm @ Fletcher School.  If we lose, we will play in the Consolation Game on Friday, February 25th at 5:00pm @ Fletcher School.

Basketball Tournament Results

• MS Boys won the first championship in school history
• HS Girls & MS Girls both finished second in conference tournament

Each team will be competing as the number 2 seed (MS Boys determined by tie breaker rules) in the conference tournament at various times over the next few weeks.  See the schedule of first round games below.

Basketball Tournaments
View Tournament Locations

• Middle School Boys vs. Charlotte United on February 11 at 6:00pm @ First Assembly (Back to Bethel)
• Middle School Girls vs. Fletcher School on February 17 at 4:00pm @ Carolina Christian
• High School Girls vs. First Assembly on February 17 at 5:15pm @ Carolina Christian
• High School Boys vs. Carolina Christian or Charlotte United on February 24 at Time TBD @ Fletcher School

Trip Osteen was a surprise starter for the Falcons in their last home game.  Tripp is not the most gifted player on the Falcon team but the attitude and work ethic he displays in practice was rewarded by Coach Scott Tyson.  Tripp played hard in the first and fourth quarters with a couple of good passes and knocked down a turn around jump shot late in the game.  It was nice to have Trey Barnes back even if not completely healthy.  Trey has a bad ankle injury and has not been able to play since the second game of the season.  Trey usually scores when in the game and did so again with 6 points.  Conor Murdock was able to play part of the third quarter and all of the fourth and came through with a 2 point basket.  The Falcons dressed 11 players and all 11 players put points on the board, the first time that has ever happened in the four-year history of Arborbrook basketball.  Joel VanDusen lead all scorers with 11 points in limited action (knee injury at the start of the second quarter).  Mitch Moore and Forest Landa both chipped in with 10 points.   Caleb Robinson (finally looking healthy since his recent illness) pulled down 13 rebounds while Joel added 12.  It was a solid game both on offense and defense with the second team receiving the majority of the playing time.  The Falcons committed only 5 turnovers in the last three-quarters while forcing 24 Charlotte United turnovers.  We have two non-conference games remaining against very good teams to help prepare us for tournament play.  The team attitude is the best it has been all season which has showed in practice.  It should be an interesting two weeks.

We started the second quarter trailing 8-5 and still struggled to put the ball in the basket  trailing 16-13 with about 4 min left to play before half time.  All at once Joel VanDusen started to connect and Caleb Farmer came off the bench and ignited the offense.  We would take our first lead at 17-16 and never trail the rest of the game.  Caleb would end up scoring 6 points in the quarter while playing a tight defense.  Mitch Moore knocked down a couple of baskets and Joel carried the rest of the load with a 12 point first half as the Falcons cruised to a 26-18 lead at the break.

The third quarter started with Mitch nailing the first of 3 three point shots and the Falcons in high gear.  The defense stifled  the Fletcher offense forcing them into missed shots and numerous mistakes.  The Falcons pulled away as the Fletcher coach and several of the Fletcher players became upset and frustrated.  The quarter would end with the Falcons in complete control of the game holding Fletcher to only 5 points  and the Falcons on top by a 44-23 score.  Mitch Moore scored 15 points in the third quarter alone.  Fletcher sent in their football team to start the fourth quarter.  These guys were big and tough with the intent of fouling to try and get back into the game.  The Falcons increased their lead to 24 but had trouble getting into a flow on the offensive end with all the pushing and shoving.  It became rough and we slowed down the tempo and passed the ball around to prevent any possible injuries.  Fletcher still had trouble scoring until the end of the game when the second team was on the floor.   We played a solid game from beginning to end.  Mitch  lead all scorers with 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Joel finished the game with his third straight double double by scoring 15 points with 15 rebounds.  Caleb Farmer played his best game ever.  Caleb was the spark that sent the Falcons on their way.  He would score 9 points but played an outstanding game on both ends of the floor and controlled the game for us.   It was a good win and put us in a position to finish second in the conference.

Even with all the turnovers we lead by three points (11-8) at the end of the first quarter but trailed by three at half time (19-22).  Joel and Forest Landa were the only two players  scoring points while everyone else went cold from the floor.  The third quarter proved to be our best quarter as we committed only 2 turnovers.  Daniel Zangmeister nailed a 3 pointer and followed it up with a short jumper and Mitch Moore added 4 straight free throws erasing the deficit and forcing a 36-36 tie entering the final quarter.    I thought we were having a poor shooting night before but in the fourth quarter our offense found the Arctic Circle and went into a deep freeze.  The Falcons could muster no baskets and only 5 free throws in the entire quarter.  All our shots were way off their mark.  Nothing rolled around the rim or even came close to dropping.  It was brutal.  Even then, we still had a chance to win until Davidson hit an NBA three pointer late in the quarter to change a 3 point game to a 6 point game.   Fouling became our only option which provided the final margin.  Davidson is a good team that handles the ball well and shoots extremely well, especially in their own building.  If you want to defeat them on the big floor, you can’t throw the ball away.  The difference between winning and losing any sporting event is not always found in athletic ability but in the area that lies between the ears.  The Falcons have some mental adjustments that need to be made.  Whether they can make them or not is the question.  They are running out of time.

Defense was only part of the game.  Joel VanDusen played the best all round game I have ever seen any player in this league play.  He set the bar so high that I am not sure anyone will touch what he did in this game  for years to come.  Right now, Joel is the only player in the league capable of this type of performance.  Final game stats for Joel read as follows:  34 points scored (26 in the first half) – 16 of 25 shooting from the field, 22 rebounds (13 offensive, 9 defensive), 8 assists, 3 steals, 2 shots blocked.  It was impressive to say the least.  First Assembly trailed 35-19 at the half time break .  We knew they would come out with a different defense in order to slow Joel down.  Mitch Moore and Davis Teague entered the picture.  Mitch and Davis are both slashers but also can knock down the three when needed.   Joel still scored but was now kicking the ball out.  Davis would finish the game with 16 points in addition to 10 rebounds and 8 assists while Mitch came up with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.  The biggest cheer of the night came when Tripp Osteen scored his first basket of the season with a turn around hook shot from the right of the basket late in the game.   Tripp has never played basketball before and does not get much playing time but still works as hard or harder as any of the players  in practice.  His attitude is great.  It was an inspiring moment and one that I was glad to witness.

Everyone played, almost everyone scored.  We were clicking on all cylinders when we needed it most.  The outside distractions continue for this team.  We lose another player as we say goodbye to Davis Teague.  Friday was his final game as a Falcon.  Davis has been our “go to” guy for the last two years.  When he is on, he can take over a game by himself.  He will be missed and we wish him luck and pray for him and his family as they move forward.  

This team reached its potential Friday night.  Whether we can sustain that for the rest of the season remains to be seen.  We have the players to make a run at the tournament but it will be up to them.  Life if full of twists and turns, nothing comes easily.  The boys on the basketball team have learned that first hand this year.  Joel turned a corner Friday and will only get better.  Mitch is starting to learn he can play with anyone.  Forest Landa is becoming a true basketball player (but does not need to help the referees make the call).    No matter what happens,  Friday’s game was a masterpiece.

Unfortunately the referees did not cost us this game nor did the slippery floor nor did God’s sense of humor by sending all this snow and ice to the sunny South.  We came out flat and played a terrible first quarter and started out the second quarter even worse.  Granted a strange palming call and a questionable charge in the first minute had our coach telling me this was going to be a long night.  Central was gunned and ready for us.  Their defense was aggressive and their offense shot well.

We trailed 23-9 after the first period and were down by 22 points early in the second quarter when we finally figured out how to navigate the floor and seemed to finally settle into the game.  From that point on the Falcons outplayed Central but it was too late.  You can’t spot a good team that kind of a lead and expect to come all the way back.  For any one who missed the game, Coach finally showed some emotion late in the second quarter.  Davis Teague was handed his second charging foul, his third foul of the game on one of the worst calls I have ever seen. ( I’m complaining just a little since I am more emotional than my son).  Coach put both hands on his head and turned away from the referees then walked all the way down to the far end of our bench before returning very slowly to his normal position with both hands still on his head.  Never said a word but I could see the fire in his eyes.  Since this was the same referee who said a flagrant foul was also a technical and tried to award the Central middle school boys team four free throws on one play, I was questioning his knowledge of the game.  Anyway, we were down 36-17 at the break.

The third quarter has been our worst quarter all year but not last Friday night.  Joel VanDusen had been carrying us most of the night by controlling the boards and scoring when the opportunity presented itself.  Mitch Moore was just starting to heat up.  And heat up he did.  The score was 50-32 starting the fourth quarter.  Mitch found the zone that basketball players always talk about and knocked down four straight 3 pointers.  He wound up scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter alone and 22 points in the game.  It was an excellent fourth quarter for both teams.   We may see this team again in the tournament, at least I hope we do.  I do not believe they want to play us again.  We probably cannot win the conference with this loss but it may help us win the tournament.  Central has a seed of doubt even after winning by 15 points.  We know we are better and the same set of circumstances will not be present at the next meeting.

Mitch scored 22 points with 8 rebounds while Joel scored 17 points with 13 rebounds.  Davis Teague scored 6 points.   Caleb Robinson and Kyle Boutross both came up with two baskets for 4 points each.

The first quarter started out fast with Caleb Robinson scoring 8 of the Falcons first 10 points.  Joel VanDusen picked up his 2nd foul 4 minutes into the game and Caleb Robinson followed Joel to the bench with his second foul two minutes later.  With both our big men on the bench, Carolina Christian caught fire from the outside and ended the quarter with a 19 – 16 lead.  Caleb and Joel returned to the floor to start the second quarter as Davis Teague was about to warm up and light up the scoreboard.  Joel and Caleb controlled the boards while Davis knocked down 11 points.  Joel added 7 points in the quarter as the Falcons outscored Carolina Christian by a 21 – 11 margin and now held a 37 -30 half time lead.  This would be the only quarter the Falcons would win but it proved to be enough.  Fouls however were going to be a problem in the second half.

The third quarter has been a problem all season and once again, this was our worst quarter of the night.  Shots would not drop but our defense was still tight even though Carolina Christian was shooting lights out from all over the floor.  We committed only 5 turnovers in the quarter which is good but was still our highest turnover mark of the night.  Carolina Christian had cut the Falcon lead to 47 – 46 with only 3.5 second left when the ball was passed into Davis Teague who took two dribbles and launched a shot from the Carolina Christian side of the half court line.  Normally this is a hail Mary shot that misses the mark or upon rare occasions swishes through the net.  Davis seems to have a sense of the dramatic and played this out as long as he could.  He calmly squared up to the basket, shot the ball and then watched as the ball hit softly off the back of the rim, bounced straight up, came down, rolled around the rim one and a half times before dropping in.  The shot took about 45 seconds from beginning to end.  The Falcons lead 50 – 46 after three.

The fourth quarter was not for the faint of heart.  Mitch Moore, who has never played well in this gym put on a dazzling display of drives to the basket and outside shooting that erased any bad memories that may have been lurking in the back of his mind.  Carolina Christian had taken a 60 to 59 lead that lasted all of 7 seconds as Mitch flew down the floor and scored on a driving spinning layup.  Carolina Christian would never lead again.    Mitch scored 12 points from the end of the third quarter to the four minute mark of the fourth quarter.  Neither team blinked in the final minutes.  The Falcons held a 4 point lead with 54 seconds to go when Coach decided to take the air out of the ball and force Carolina Christian to foul.  They had committed only four fouls (we had 13, enough said) which worked against them.  They had to commit three fouls before sending us to the line and lost about 20 seconds.  Davis smoothly hit two free throws and the Falcon lead was 6 and I was feeling pretty good until Carolina Christian made a 3 pointer with 20 seconds left in the game.  They would add a free throw a few seconds later and the Falcon lead was two with 7 seconds left and Davis Teague walking to the line.  Davis once again calmly hit two free throws to seal the victory as Carolina scored a meaningless basket at the buzzer.

Game highlights:  Joel VanDusen finished the game with 15 rebounds while Caleb Robinson added 10 almost out rebounding the Carolina Christian team who finished the game with 27.    The two teams combined for only 6 turnovers in the hectic fourth quarter.  The Falcons had only 5 turnovers in the first half.  Davis Teague scored 23 points, Mitch Moore added 14, Caleb Robinson 10, Joel VanDusen 9, Kyle Boutross and Forest Landa both scored 6.  Forest Landa played the best all around game he has ever played even though he has scored more points in other games.   It was a total team victory.