Varsity Takes Home More than Wins from SWAU

Jacob, Tommy, and Jay give God the glory from a triumphant win

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! 

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Varsity Coach (Daniel Force) gives a pep talk to the boys as they lead with eleven points.

Teams enjoy a pre-vespers dinner in the main gym provided by the SWAU cafeteria.