FALCONS MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDS SEASON WITH VICTORY

Arborbrook 25  –  Berean 16

The Falcons ended the season with a 7-6 record by recording a 25-16 victory over Berean Academy.  It was a ragged game from beginning to end with Berean committing  numereous fouls on almost every Falcon possession.  It was difficult for the offense to get into any kind of flow and we once again missed 14 free throws.  The gym was dark and the floor was different and strange.  The official score keeper for Berean and the clock operator really had no idea what they were doing which caused problems with the time, the score, and the fouls.  Berean played with aggressive passion but really had no chance.  We did not play our best game of the year but condsidering the conditions, the season ended on a good note.   The Falcons first string played most of the first quarter and built a 10-4 lead.   The lead quickly grew to 18-6 in the second period when the Falcon bench was cleared.  A full court press by Berean resulted in 3 quick baskets in the final 90 seconds to make it a 18-12 half time score.  The Falcon starters played the first 3 minutes of the second quarter and quickly extended the lead to 23-12.  There would not be much scoring the remainder of the game for either team as the play became scrambled and uneven. 

For the record:  Caleb Robinson played very little but still lead the team with 8 points and 3 rebounds.  Ryan Brown knocked down a 3 pointer and finished with 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists.  Matthew Pedemonte, Joel VanDusen, Kyle Boutross, and Richard McFall  all scored 3 points.  Joel pulled down 4 rebounds with 4 steals.  Matthew had 1 rebound with 4 steals.  Kyle grabbed 3 rebounds with 1 steal.  Richard came up with 2 rebounds.  Johnathan Spitler had 2 steals and Ethan Robinson grabbed 1 rebound.

 

Reflecting back on the season the middle school team was inconsistant to say the least.   However,  we need to look at where they started and where they finished.  There were only 4 players that had any experience and that experience amounted to only one year.  There were no players that were considered scorers.  The basketball IQ was very low and half the team could not dribble or shoot.  The first year players had to learn the importance of conditioning and the attitude that we would display during games and practice.  The team lacked confidence in themselves and their teammates.  Yet, there was talent brewing just under the surface.  We could be very good or we could be very bad, we weren’t sure.  We ended up being a little of both.  Confidence started to grow with practices and games.  Our expectations went up and we started to expect more and more of them as a team.  Every single player showed tremendous improvement throughout the year.   Trying to keep this team focused during games and practices was our biggest challenge and we did not always succeed.  But it was a great year.  This is still an inexperienced team that cannot make free throws but is fun to watch especially when they are in sync.  They worked hard and  learned a little about basketball and a lot about life.  Thank you parents for your support and encouragemant throughout the year.  The Arborbrook fan base is awesome.

FALCONS HIGH SCHOOL TEAM DROPS HEARTBREAKER

First Assembly 53 – Arborbrook 41

The Falcons (2-8) played and almost perfect first half but lost their focus in the second half and dropped a heartbreaker to First Assembly 53-41.  Mitch Moore scored the first basket of the game and then sprained his ankle and was lost to the team for the remainder of the game.  The Falcons were already playing without Daniel Zangmeister who was on the bench with a rib injury.  Down to five high school players, the Falcons played their best basketball of the year looking sharp on both offense and defense.  Five different players scored for the Falcons in the first quarter as they built a 13-5 lead.  The second quarter was even better than the first as the Falcons outscored Frist Assembly 15-6 to hold a 28-11 half time lead.  Seven different players scored for the Falcons in the first half.  We played a tight zone and forced First Assembly to shoot over the top and held our position so that the Wildcats could not pull down the rebound.  First Assembly became frustrated and it showed by their actions on the court and on the bench.  This was a significant turn around for the Falcons since we had lost to First Assembly by 26 points earlier in the season.  Unfortunately, there is always a second half.

We knew First Assembly would crash the boards in the second half and try and pick up the pace.  All we had to do was play solid defense and block out.  The key to the rest of the game would be the first couple of minutes.    Two lazy passes turned into two quick buckets for First Assembly and the momentum had shifted in the first 20 seconds.  Coach called time out but the damnage was done.  We never regained our focus and you could feel the game slipping away.  The Falcons still held a 36-31 lead going into the fourth quarter and finally lost the lead with 4 minutes to go but continued to hang within striking distance until the last minute.  First Assembly went 12 for 12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.  The game was much closer than the final score would indicate.  We still have not learned how to win the close games.  Free throws have hurt us the entire season and continued to haunt us this game.  There are some negatives to every game and I could pick apart the second half but that would not be fair.  The Falcons played a good game against a heavily favored opponent.  They missed Mitch and Daniel but the middle school players stepped up and played well.  It was a win for us.  The Falcon players definately had the better attitudes on the floor even when the game was sliding from our grasp.

For the Record:  Josh Black lead the Falcons with 17 points and 15 rebounds.  Caleb Farmer scored 7 points with 2 rebounds and 3 assists.  Trey Barnes scored 6 points on two 3 pointers to go with 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist.  Nathan Spitler knocked down 4 points with 5 rebounds.  Forest Landa scored 3 points on a banked in three pointer.  (counted no matter how it looked)   Forest also had 1 rebound, 4 steals, and 2 assists.  Caleb Robinson scored 2 points with 5 rebounds and 1 assist.  Caleb stepped in when Nathan got into foul trouble and played outstanding, especially since it was his second game of the day.  Mitch Moore scored 2 points with 1 assist even though he played only one minute before leaving with a sprained ankle.

MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENS RECORD, DEFEATS FIRST ASSEMBLY

Arborbrook 30 – First Assembly 17

The Falcons middle school evened their record for the season at 6-6 with a solid victory over First Assembly.   The Falcons never trailed in the game and won every quarter behind a stingy defense.  An aggressive zone defense forced First Fletcher to shoot over the top which allowed the Falcons to dominate the boards for the first three quarters.  Joel VanDusen and Kyle Boutross got the Falcons started in the first quarter with two baskets each to build an 8-4 lead.  Caleb Robinson came alive in the second quarter with 4 points and Matthew Pedemonte added a basket to give the Falcons a 14-8 half time lead.  The Falcons scored 6 more points in the 3rd quarter but held First Assembly to only a single free throw.  Matthew and Kyle provided the scoring punch and the lead was 20-9 heading into the fourth period.  The Falcons would put 10 points on the board in this quarter lead by Caleb Robinson with 6 points.  Matthew added 2 free throws and Joel scored from underneath the basket.  The Falcons controlled the game in every area and played with a confident attitude.  It was a good win and a perfect way to end their home season.

For the Record:  Caleb Robinson scored 10 points for the Falcons while pulling down 5 rebounds with one assist.  Matthew Pedemonte controlled the game from the point guard position while scoring 8 points with 2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.  Matthew and Caleb hooked up with several nice passes underneath the basket.  Matthew is starting to see the floor better every game.  Joel VanDusen played his best all around game of the year.  Joel scored 6 points but was outstanding on defense and a force on the boards pulling down a team high 9 rebounds.  Joel also came up with 2 steals.  Kyle Boutross scored 6 points with 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.  Kyle is probably the most dangereous player on the floor with the most natural ability when he plays under control.  Ryan Brown pulled down 3 rebounds.  Richard McFall grabbed 1 rebound.  Jonathan Spitler came up with 1 steal.

This Week’s Game Schedule

TUESDAY
3:30pm — Boys MS vs. First Assembly @ Southbrook
4:45pm — Girls HS vs. First Assembly @ Southbrook
6:00pm — Boys HS vs. First Assembly @ Southbrook

WEDNESDAY
5:00pm — Boys MS vs. Berean Academy @ Berean Academy

FALCONS LOSE GAME BUT WALK OFF COURT AS CHAMPIONS

Queens Grant 103 – Arborbrook 19

Two teams met at the Southbrook gym last night.  It was an obvious mismatch before the opening tip off.  One team played to the glory of God, the other team, not so much.  One team walked off the court with their heads held high and the look of champions while the other team proved what is wrong with sports in today’s world.  I was so proud of one team for the way they finished and the attitude they maintained.  I would have been embarressed to be associated with the other team.  I was so impressed with the Arborbrook fans that  shouted “ARBORBROOK – ARBORBROOK – ARBORBROOK and stamped the bleachers when their team was trailing by 80 points.  This was a difficult game for the fans and the parents.  This was a difficult game for the coaches who couldn’t waive the white flag or ask the other coaching staff what they thought they were doing.  But, this was especially difficult for the players who kept on going.  Who played through it when it would have been easier to quit.  God builds charater in so many different ways.  Anyone who was at the Southbrook gym last night left the court as a different person.  God’s message got through to some, and some it did not.  Parents, you have raised some fine sons.  I am proud of each and every one of them as I know you are.  Guys,  what you experienced last night and the way you responded will help mold you into the man you will someday become.  You did good.