The Valor Christian College Warriors competed in two contests prior to taking a
well-deserved break for Christmas. They hit the road on December 14th, traveling
to Cincinnati, OH. They were prepared for action against fellow OCAC school, UC-Clermont.
The Cougars, 2011 USCAA Division II National Runners-Up, had already gotten off
to a great start this season with wins against 3 NAIA schools(Brescia, Asbury, and
Rio Grande). So, the Warriors were expecting a great contest.
Alan Jones led the charge and was joined by the entire Warrior squad in an intense
game. At half-time the Warriors went to the locker room, only trailing by 3 (35-32).
With the start of the second half Matthew Mobley hit 3 consecutive shots from behind
the arc, putting the Warriors up by 2 points (41-39). Both teams continued to trade
baskets until the game was deadlocked at 52-52. Then, with less than 8 minutes remaining
in the game the Warriors took their defense to another level. Coupled with an offensive
push, the Warriors made a 19-4 run. At the buzzer the scoreboard read 81-56. Defensive
intensity, selfless teamwork, and great offensive execution equaled another “W”
in the win/loss column for the Warriors.
VCC Warriors vs UC-Clermont Cougars (12/14)
Alan Jones -- 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists
Matthew Mobley -- 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks
Eldon McCrary –- 16 points and 14 rebounds
Maurice Maiden –- 11 points and 8 rebounds
Adam Cunningham – 9 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds
Two days later the Warriors played the Eagles of Clark State Community College,
another OCAC member institution located in Springfield, OH. This time every Warrior
took the court, helping to bring home another victory (77-70). This win brought
VCC to an 8 – 0 record, leaving them undefeated for the season! GO WARRIORS!
The next three games for the VCC Warriors will also be on the road as they make
their way to Florida to play in the Ave Maria University Classic Tournament. They
will be taking on Vermont Tech College (1/4), Ave Maria University (1/5), and Apprentice
University (1/6).
The undefeated Valor Christian College Warriors faced the Ohio Christian University
Trailblazers in THE CAVE on Tuesday, December 6th. Our Gideon team took on the #3
nationally ranked NCCAA team from Circleville, Ohio. The Trailblazers filled the
bench with fifteen athletes, boasting five seniors and six juniors -- a true veteran
team.
Our ten Warriors, this season's Gideon team, battled well. Two sophomores and
eight freshmen took the court. They jumped out to an early lead and never looked
back although the Trailblazers made many attempts to close the gap throughout the
game. With the help of our sound-barrier breaking Warrior fans, the men experienced
a miraculous victory, defeating the Trailblazers 86-77.
Coach Lisa Bradley believes the "W" is a testament to a combined foundation
of physical and spiritual preparedness as well as the result of a dynamic team effort
that saw three Warriors in double figures: Adam Cunningham had 15 points, 12 assists,
and 6 rebounds; Matthew Mobley finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks;
and Alan Jones led the Warriors in stats with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists
to his credit. He also hit four crucial free throws in the last two minutes of the
game to help clinch a team victory. Eldon McCrary made his presence known under
the basket, dominating the game with 10 rebounds. The team shot 40% from the field,
50% from the 3 point and 85% (22 of 26) from the free throw line. With 41 rebounds
to the Trailblazers 38 and only 12 turnovers the Warriors certainly proved that
there is a good reason for their being 6 - 0 for the season.
All for His Glory!
After a long and successful season the Valor Christian College Warriors received
a bid to play in the 2010 USCAA Men's Basketball Division II National Championship,
held on the campus of Penn State Fayette in Uniontown, PA. This would be the college's
first appearance at the tournament since 2003.
Determined to make the trip and bring home a championship, the Warriors solicited
the support of their friends, family, and faculty. What took place can only be described
as a financial miracle. As they stepped out in faith, God answered. Almost $7,000
poured in over a period of five short days.
Tuesday, March 2nd saw them boarding the college's charter bus after one last practice
in The Cave. Each one knew that God was up to something!
The excitement and expectation only increased as the team made its way to the Nemacolin
Woodlands Resort, where they would be staying for the duration of the tournament
and where, that very evening, the Annual Awards Banquet was to be held in the Marquis
Ballroom. The highlight of the evening came when Brandon Clack was named to First
Team All-American for Division II.
After a long journey and a late night, Wednesday morning came early. An on-site
practice got the Warriors warmed up, but it was the times of worship and Bible study
that prepared them for their first contest against the Host Team, Penn State Fayette,
who was the #10 seed in the tournament. The Warriors won that first round game with
a final score of 87-72.
Thursday would be the Warriors first real test as they were bracketed to play against
the #2 seed, Penn State Beaver. Their opponent had been touted as Western Pennsylvania's
Best Ranked Team by the Pittsburgh Gazette in February and had just won the Penn
State Athletic Conference Tournament. Even so, the Warriors won, 61-60. With their
win, they moved to the Final Four.
Friday dawned, and it found Valor Christian College pitted against #6 seeded UC
Clermont, fellow member of the Ohio Collegiate Athletic Conference and against whom
the Warriors had dropped two games during the regular season. It was another tight
game, but in the end the Warriors were victorious with a second straight one point
victory, 65-64.
The Warriors had made it; they were going to the SHIP!
Saturday evening at 7 PM found the Warriors once again on the floor of The Arena.
The USCAA website has described it this way: "After three days of competition, only
two teams remained standing in the Men's Division II Championship bracket. Amidst
a packed house, the wildcard World Harvest team took on the two-time defending Champions
Williamson." That night, after trailing almost the entire game, the Warriors made
a surge in the last few minutes of play to advance past the Williamson Mechanics
and win with a final score of 54-51. When all was said and done, a national championship
had been won.
In Coach Lisa Bradley's familiar words: "God showed up, showed off, and showed out!"
Not only did the Warriors bring home a trophy that night, they brought home the
compliments and well-wishes of fans, coaches, statisticians, athletic directors,
and the press. The Warriors were true ambassadors, and as such they realized they
were simply representing the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and that basketball
is simply a platform from which to show forth His Glory!
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Congratulations to Nehemiah Trotter, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, and
Brandon Clack, who received the coveted Tournament Most Valuable Player award!
The following link will take you to the USCAA website National Championship Results
page. There you will find articles on each games as well as box scores: (
http://www.theuscaa.com/Basketball_2010_Tournament/Men-s_DII_Results):
2009-2010 season record: 22-5.