Green is the season's color

A couple of small school games lead my week into the holiday season.  Its a EMAC swap as they get the rare Tuesday time slot on my schedule.  That's because I wanted to see Rockford and 7-footer Calvin Sisk in their Monday trip to Concordia.  Excellent Nathan's quarter pound hot dog.  Must be something about Skyline schools near Dale St.

Then the EMAC gets its time on Tuesday for Avail Academy visiting United Christian Academy.  UCA is the former Bethany Academy who has now merged with Christian Life of Farmington.  Weird not seeing the old MCAA banners on the wall including the long outdated Holy Trinity banner.  UCA colors have changed to purple and black but they still have the bright blue and yellow all over the gym and haven't repainted the floor.  No rhino mascot in attendance for Avail.  That's always a cool mascot to see.

Monday: Rockford 84 Concordia 50
No Aaron TerHaar for the Beacons in this one.  His shooting would have made a world of difference as Concordia had no real answer for the Rockford flat 3-2 zone.  After trying some early zone offense that didn't generate anything Concordia just ran their motion which was a little better off but not much.  Sloppy offense turning it over and they couldn't make shots.  Rockford too big inside with Carter Kulavik and Calvin Sisk.  Todd Traen and Ryan Boysen knock down 9 3s between them to provide the balance.  Rockets fly away to an easy win.  Essay Hagos gets his 23 for Concordia but only got a little help from Gary Legvold with 10 points.  Ryan Boysen 5 3s and 19 points to lead Rockford.  Todd Traen and Luke Pepin 12 each and Calvin Sisk with all 11 of his in the 2nd half.  Carter Kulavik a bigger impact than his 7 points.  Rockford will be very dangerous in section 5AA.  They have experience, size, toughness and shooting which should allow them to be a challenger for the trip to state.

Tuesday: United Christian Academy 79 Avail Academy 65
This one was an early boys/girls doubleheader with the boys going first so I'll skip the girls to write this.  United Christian would jump out to a 12-2 lead and never look back.  Zach Corley controlling the paint for UCA.  Taylor Prip provides 13 1st half points off the bench and its UCA by 23 at the break.  Joey Ritzema would try to lead an Avail rally in the 2nd half.  He scores a couple of buckets in a 10-2 Valor run, FEAR THE RHINO!  That cuts the margin to 63-49 with over 7 minutes left.  An open 3 that would have cut the margin further goes just long.  Jacob Kyllo with 2 hoops in an 8-0 run that pushes the lead back to 20 to 3:25 left and its over from there.  Zach Corley leads all scorers with 20 points from his starting center spot for UCA.  Avail's lack of size had no match for him.  Chase Bixel with a very nice outing from his guard spot as he adds on 16 points.  Taylor Prip with all 13 of his bench points in the 1st half.  Joey Ritzema with 14 of his 18 points in the 2nd half to keep the game somewhat interesting.  Josiah Schaap with 15 and 3 triples.  Mitchell Pfeifer with 12.  Avail with no seniors on the roster.