Couriers cruise to 13th win

GOSHEN (Sat., Feb. 9, 2008) – Todd Martin and the Couriers withstood an early challenge from Covenant Christian before felling the Knights 66-41 at the Clinton gym.

The visitors from DeMotte kept pace with the Couriers for the first few minutes of the game, but the Couriers pulled away for a 21-7 at the first break and continued to build the lead over the next two periods. The Knights outscored the Couriers 12-8 in the fourth quarter but they only managed to cut the final deficit from 29 points to 25.

Martin again topped the Couriers with 17 points. Carl Martin contributed 13 points, five assists and four steals. Off the bench, Caleb Miller added 11 points and Ryan Miller 10. The Couriers (13-3) committed just eight turnovers in the contest.

Dan Bykerk led the Knights’ charge with 14 points and nine rebounds. Alex Anderson added 13 for the defending ICSTS champions, now 7-10 for the season.

The Couriers won 30-15 in a low-scoring junior varsity matchup. By improving their record to 10-3, the Couriers have won at least 10 games at the JV level for the second straight season. John Miller scored 7 points for the victors while Brian Wunderink posted 8 points for the Knights.

Also on Saturday, the Couriers’ junior high team lost to Granger Christian by two points in the ACSI state championship game. Todd Martin, Carl Martin, Mike Troyer and Joel King were sixth graders when the Couriers claimed the school’s only junior high ACSI title in 2002.

The JV and varsity make the long trek to White’s Institute near Wabash Tuesday. Coach Larry Vaughn’s Warriors are 2-8 with five straight losses. They defeated Howe Military 74-64 December 13 and lost at Lakeland Christian 61-58 February 2. The two squads will meet for the first time after the cancellation of last year's scheduled matchup due to poor weather conditions.