By Ruth Garcia and Madi Kamarad

Just this last week the Campion Cougars (men and women) traveled to the Union College basketball tournament and gave it their all. The ladies rode home as undefeated champions after a 35-30 victory over the Sunnydale Spartans. The men's team earned second place after a close game against the College View Eagles in which they lost by 8 points in overtime. 
After losing 3 games to Mile High this season, the guys were especially proud to win the semifinal (43-37) against their rival school. Both varsity teams have learned so much all throughout the season, and we're all extremely sad that it's over.

God is not only revealed among students through Campion's Christian environment, but through our sports as well. Team co-captain Chantelle Bravatti said, "It's taught me that no matter how big or small, we should always let God be in control and give Him the glory always."

God is our #1 motivator, but many athletes play for people watching from the sidelines. The men's team co-captain, Xander Assa, said, "I played for my dad; he came to watch. My dad doesn't know much about the game, but he's there for me. At tournament I had three 20-point games, in hopes to make my dad smile. When my dad smiles, I smile."

Similarly, Chantelle Bravatti played for her friend and teammate. "Rachel--she injured herself this season. She has always been there for us. It was hard for her, but I wanted to make her proud by how we played. Even though Rachel didn't get the opportunity to play this season, she made just as much of an impact on the team as she would have playing on the court."

The Campion teams are a different type of family. The womens' team chants the Spanish word, "Familia," before every game. Women's co-captain Chezney Barry said, "My teammates have helped me believe in trust again." The team believes families should trust each other, and they see their games improve when they do. Glenn O'Halloran, womens' coach, reminded his girls during the championship game of John Wooden's words, "Athletes win games. Teamwork wins championships." Teamwork led them to a 6-0 record over the tournament.

Read the report from Union College and see final scores.

by Cassie Fazio and Kimberly Supit

Last week an exhausted bus of Campion Cougars returned from the basketball tournament at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) to resume with the daily routine of work, school, and homework. We were all proud of our talented ladies and gents as they treated the tournament with as much gusto as the one coming up at Union College next week.

Not only are the teams soon competing in the Union tournament, but they were also able to attend the Hoops Classic at SWAU over homeleave, where the men's team won the small-school B bracket and the spirit award for the whole tournament.

Both teams learned more lessons than just on the court, though. The season isn’t over yet, but varsity player Gabrielle Willliams, senior, shares an important lesson that she can use in the upcoming battle at Union College. “Teamwork is important. We [may] look at teamwork as something that isn’t a priority and we take it for granted, but then we realize we need it when we are required to rely on each other.”

Madison Kamarad also has a new perspective as a varsity player coming back from SWAU. She claims she had the attitude that, “the teams were going to be out of our league, [but] I came back thinking better about our team and the teams that we played.” Sometimes it takes going out of your comfort zone to get a new perspective.

Basketball takes time, effort, and hours of practice. It’s physically and emotionally demanding. The Cougars sometimes miss class to travel to different schools to play. Are there benefits to playing basketball? Jacob Fry, a senior on the men’s varsity team, argues yes. “It gives you something to shoot for… It’s a goal to train for and also helps spiritually and scholastically. It focuses you on being something bigger than yourself and helps represent your school.”

We will be cheering for both teams as they head to Union College to compete next week. Go Cougars!