Basketball Games against Algoma

It was game time on Friday, December 19 for the Calvary Basketball teams at Algoma Christian schools in Kent City, Michigan. It was a very exciting night because these rivals had been preparing to play each other for a long time. Each team knew that without playing their very best, they might not be able to pull out a win.

First off, the boy’s JV teams played first. The score was pretty close the whole game, but after the end of the first half, the eagles were up by a few points. About half way through the second half was when the Algoma boys were running out of steam, and Calvary finally began to pull away. Special mention goes to Jacob Mcfarren for an outstanding 23 points and also Zachary Zehr for his 10 points. All the players played hard.

The Varsity Girls came out ready to play. By the end of the first quarter the score was 17 to 2. The Algoma girls were no match for Calvary’s team and could not catch up the score. At the final buzzer, the score was 77 to 25. Great job Taylor Richards for scoring a career high and possible school record of 40 points.

The boy’s varsity was a whole different game. The score was very close the whole time and it got very intense especially near the end of the game. After both teams endured some controversial calls by the officials in the fourth quarter, the scores were 42 to 41, with Algoma in the lead. This was when the Knights decided to stall the game for three minutes with six left in the quarter. The score was still 42 to 41. Then unfortunately, the eagles got into foul trouble which lead Algoma into the double- bonus. They shot a lot of free throws, and made nearly all of them. Algoma won 44 to 47. Even though our boys lost, they still had good attitudes and praised God for another chance to play basketball. What an exciting night!

Ally Richards, Sophomore

The First Few Boys Basketball Games

This season started out for our guys with a tough game against Grand River Prep. Being our first game and our first time ever playing this team we weren’t sure what to expect. The game progressed with Brendan Hamilton leading us with boards and baskets as well as Will Dukes throwing in a few hoops here and there. Isaac Burns and I also contributed a few. At the end of the game we were down 27 points but it was one of the toughest teams we’ll play all year. Brendan Hamilton finished with 21 points, Will Dukes with 12, Isaac Burns with 9 and 5 for me. 

 Our next game took place on Friday, December 12 against Heritage Christian. The game started out with a few back to back points from the opposing team and we just couldn’t seem to catch up! But after a horrible first half of only having around 15 points we came out strong in the second and gave Heritage a run for their money. The scores bounced around and at the end of the 3 rd quarter we were down by 11 and it seemed hopeless. But with a burst of energy we pulled closer and closer while scoring and not letting the other team score. With 9.8 seconds left we were down by 2 and Will Dukes pulled through on an out-of-bounds play and swished a 3 pointer to put us ahead for the win!


Ravenna came to our gym on Tuesday December 16 looking to play. We came out strong and held the lead for the whole game until the 4th quarter where we melted away for just a couple possessions causing us to lose. Everyone played well against the Bulldog team. Come out and see us all play soon!

- Alec Cammenga, Sophomore

The Reason for the Season

Christmas is here! With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it is easy to be distracted from the true reason for the season. Everyone is rushing around buying over expensive gifts and thinking about what they might be getting. You will see “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Xmas” written ar

(not related, but Leona loves her snow!)

ound your towns. Christmas has been losing its true meaning.

What is Christmas really about after all? If you look at the word “Christmas”, you can see the word “Christ”. Behind the Christmas trees and presents is the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus. Jesus has been replaced by a fat man in a red suit because of the world. The world has taken Christmas and turned into eat, drink, and be merry.

In a Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown is asking what the true meaning of Christmas is and Linus tells him,

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'”

Linus understood the real meaning of Christmas even when surrounded by all the commercial Christmas things.

As Christians, we need to make sure we don't get caught up in all the world's hustle and bustle because it isn't about the presents or a fat man in a red suit. Christmas is about Jesus and God's plan of redemption for us. So as Linus said, “That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Erica Mitchell, Junior

Rubberband Cars 2014

The ninth grade rubber band car project is underway and the competition is heating up. Eighteen cars will be competing this year for the chance to have their name to be featured on Mr. Langdon's rubber band car of fame record sheet.

This year are many honorable mentions including Jess’s Wesco cup car, Breece's Thor mobile car, and Caden's bedazzled car. Although most people are just trying to get an A, the high school record is held by Joel Fulmer with 19.8 meters.

The final test will take place December 15. Leading up to this the students have drawn sketches to show how their design and have just had their practice test day. This is to see if any changes will be necessary to make on their car and also to see how far the car will go. So far the majority of cars haven't passed 10 meter, but we'll see what happens on test day.

On test day everyone's car is required to travel a minimum of 4 meters. If the car goes further than this then extra credit starts becoming available. Also Mr. Langdon allows each of us three tries on test day. This way we can try different things such as using new or stretched out rubber bands.

Although we will all be tested individually for the actual test most of the class is still treating it like a race. During the time we were practice testing our cars many of the students were launching their cars at the same time to see whose would go further and also to see what their opponent had done differently than them.

Everyone is looking forward to test day on Monday. Even though most of our cars don't go very far, it will still be fun to see whose car goes the furthest and gets to be on the rubber band car of fame record sheet.

Christine Meyer, Freshman

Varsity Girls Basketball Season starts!

The lady eagles have officially started basketball practice. With our wonderful returning coaches: Brad Richards, Richard Clark, Dan Hamilton and Bill Mann; we are ready to have another great season! This year we have a tough line up on our schedule including the Muskegon Big Reds, Orchard View, and Oakridge. By playing schools that are a lot bigger than us, we are hoping they will help prepare us for the road to the Breslin. (Michigan State's basketball stadium.)

This years team includes: Taylor Richards (Senior), Britney Zehr (Junior), Hannah Roberts(Junior), Erica Mitchell (Junior), Montana Burgtorf (Junior), Allyson Richards (Soph.), Jordyn Hamilton (Soph.), Kyleah Sutherland (Soph.), and Maddie Heiss(Freshman). These girls are ready to put in the hard work, time, sweat, and multiple bruises that come along with basketball to make it farther than last year.

The varsity girls first official game is on Thursday, December 4th at 7 against Muskegon Heights. We hope you can come out and support the team! This will be the first of many tough line ups the girls will face this year. But the girls aren't ready to go down without a fight that's for sure. They've been working hard in practice and watching video tape of the scrimmages that they have already played this year.

Tape is a key thing for the girls; to watch ourselves play and make mistakes and learn what and how we can improve. We also have had parents and former varsity girl champions come out and scrimmage us. Which has helped us out a lot by giving us game like situations and some tough competition while doing it. This group of girls is a great team to be on. On and off the court. We're not only just a team when it's time to lace up our shoes, but in the halls, during class, and in each others lives outside of school. We're more than just teammates during basketball season... we're teammates for life.

Montana Burgtorf, Junior