02/07/08 San Juan Capistrano, CA – On the cover of the 2007-08 Basketball program, the theme ROAD TRIP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP is emblazoned across the bottom under a picture of two players on a couple of Harleys. That road trip started in November in Temecula, CA, wound its way through the Arizona desert with a Tournament Championship and culminated tonight as the boys sped away with the Academy League Championship!
With a dominating performance in their own gym on Senior Night, the team won the programs 6th Academy League title in the school’s history and set a school record for the most wins in a single season with 21. In a must win game versus Brethren Christian, who came into the game tied with CVCS and St. Margarets for first place, the Eagles won 58-37 in a game they were only behind once, when it was 2-0.
We pick up the game in the 2nd quarter with 4:17 left, the Eagles were ahead 22-13. After a Brethren Christian timeout, Josh Kihm hit his customary 3 point shot to go up 27-13 with 2:20 left in the half. Jordan Kennon forced a key turnover at 1:23 left and then Joel Brown was fouled and made both buckets to lead the 29-13 charge. After another Warrior turnover at 1:06, Brennan Buchan hit a basket for 2 points with :35 to go to make it 31-13. At half, the Eagles were leading 31-15.
An entertaining halftime featured students attempting three point shots and consecutive free throws for free dress days on campus!
Brethren Christian took the ball to open the half but turned it over quickly. Then the Eagles gave them a favor with a turnover of their own which led to the Warriors opening up scoring in the second half to cut the lead to 31-17 with 7:12 on the clock. During one run in the early part of the second half, Josh Stinson had 3 defensive rebounds in a row that each lea to scoring. Jordan Kennon drove the base for 2 with 3:15 left and it seemed like the Eagles had momentum for the rest of the game after this play that put them ahead 40-25. After a Brethren Christian 3 point shot, Mike Jacobs scored on consecutive trips to put the Eagles on top 45-30 with 1:03 to play in the 3rd. It was Joel Brown’s turn to drive base line the next time down the court and he did in an amazing attempt which was good as he was fouled putting him on the charity line. After making the free throw, the Eagles were ahead 48-30.
The fourth quarter scoring was kicked off by Jordan Kennon as he drove the lane for 2 with 6:58 left after the Eagles and Warriors traded four possessions. A beautiful assist by Joel Brown to Josh Kihm twenty seconds later put the Eagles up 52-30. After a Kihmmy steal and coast to coast bucket, at 4:28, the game looked to be just about over as the crowd went into a frenzy after this dynamic play which made the lights on the scoreboard read Home 48, Guest 33.
At the buzzer, the scoreboard read 58-37 and both the Eagles on and off the court celebrated the school’s first League Championship in any sport in the last year and a half. Senior Captain Josh Kihm said that “This is the best feeling I have ever had! All of our hard work paid off tonight. I feel great!” Joel Brown claimed that “The team came through all year during the hardest of times, even when we were down, we always found a way to come through.”
Many of the Eagle faithful point to Coach Dave King as their reason for success this year. After taking a year off for health reasons, Coach King agreed to come back and coach the Eagles this year when they were left without a coach in the middle of the summer. Coach King has led the Eagles to two Academy League Championships in his three years as a coach here! He said “We worked hard and the kids never gave up! They never, ever, ever stopped believing it was possible,” when asked how it was that they won the championship.
Points leaders for CVCS – Joel Brown, 17; Mike Jacobs, 13: Jordan Kennon, 11; Josh Kihm, 8; Brennan Buchan, 5; Josh Stinson, 2; Brycen Flournoy, 2
Story by CVCS Athletic Director Chris Fore – February 7, 2008
