Varsity wins, JV, junior high openers at new gym

This is our turf!

Todd leads the varsity onto the floor.

Todd makes a move in the varsity game.

GOSHEN – The varsity Couriers beat the Noble-Whitley Warriors 57-47 but the JV lost 36-31 and the junior high fell 39-26 on opening night for the new gym at Clinton Christian School.

Todd Martin’s only 3-pointer of the game put the Couriers up 37-34 in the third quarter to prompt a Warriors timeout. Martin’s “old-fashioned” three-point plays in the first half had tied the game 14-14 and 22-22. His three gave the Couriers nine straight points after falling behind 34-28.

Todd was honored before the game for surpassing the 1,000 point mark on December 8. He and senior classmate Carl Martin both mustered 19 points for the 10-2 Couriers. Andy Scharlacken tallied 12 for the visitors.

The JV led 29-24 in the fourth quarter but finished with their third losses versus six wins for the season. Jordan Bontrager had 11 points, all in the first half, and John Miller eight for the Couriers. Dwylin Gingerich recorded the school’s first blocked shot in the new gym.

Trenton Miller scored the first basket in the “Courier Gym” (my name) just 11 seconds into the junior high for a 2-0 Couriers lead. He also grabbed the first rebound just over a minute later. Matt Bontrager hit the first free throw (12-5 Noble-Whitley, 3:11, 2nd quarter) and Lance Miller nabbed the first steal (3:30, 1st quarter). The junior high trailed just 16-13 at the half but fell behind 33-20 through three quarters and were unable to recover.



All three games were very well attended and the concessions were popular. At halftime of the varsity game, a number of fans tried to make a free throw to win a free Coke.