Christian Community began the year with three goals: a 20 win season, a conference regular season title and a conference tournament championship. Heading into the Middle Tennessee Athletic Conference tournament last Thursday, the Colts had accomplished the first two goals and the third was within reach. The Colts closed out the regular season at 21-6 and went 9-0 in the conference and headed into the tournament as the #1 seed.

In the quarterfinals, the Colts defeated White House Christian 66-35, as they raced out to an early 19-5 lead and never looked back. CCHS led 37-15 at the half as their suffocating defense proved to be the difference. “They (WHCA) have some shooters that can hit from the outside so we knew we couldn’t let them get hot,” said head coach Caleb Cook. Much of the same happened in the third as the Colts outscored the Eagles 19-9 to put the game out of reach at 55-24. The Colts cleared the bench in the fourth quarter as every player saw action. Ralph Dunn led four Colts in double figures with 14 points. Devon Jones added 13, Jemar Lunsford has 12, and Garrett Davis had 11 points on the night. Bradley Edwards paced the Eagles with 15 points, including four three pointers.

In the semifinals, Christian Community (22-6) had to hold off an inspired Holloway High team in the second half to advance to the finals 67-55. The Hawks raced out an early 16-15 lead after the first quarter as they just out hustled the Colts to loose balls and beat them on the glass. “We came out a little flat and we couldn’t quite match their energy. They had nothing to loose and we were tense,” said head coach Caleb Cook. The Colts outscored the Hawks 17-10 in the second quarter to take a 32-26 lead at the half. The third began with the Colts picking up in a full court press that proved to be the difference as they went on a 12-0 run to pull away and take a 51-38 lead into the fourth quarter. Holloway made a run in the fourth but only got to within 8 points as the Colts were able to hang on to their lead. “Our press really got us going energy wise in the third quarter. We needed a spark to pull away and that proved to be just what we needed. When teams that are athletic, as they are, hang around, it doesn’t always go well for us but we did what we needed to do to move on the finals.” Ralph Dunn and Devon Jones led the Colts with 18 points apiece as Rob Siske added 16 and Garrett Davis had 11.

A year ago, Christian Community (23-6) found themselves in the same position, the conference championship game, as the #2 seed. The Colts lost that game 74-61 to the Holloway Hawks but knew that they would quite possibly have another chance for the conference title next year. Their chance had arrived but this time they were the #1 seed and had all the pressure to win. “We knew this was our year to win it,” said head coach Caleb Cook. “This team finished third when these seniors were sophomores and they finished second as juniors so it was now or never for them.” Christian Community was facing a very familiar opponent in Lancaster Christian. The two teams had played three times already with the Colts taking the first two and the Knights capturing a home win just 2 weeks earlier. “At this point in the year you stick with your strengths that got you to where you are, the title game, but at the same time we felt we had to throw some things at them that they hadn’t seen.” The Colts couldn’t have asked for a better start as their new defense, set to contain their hot shooting guards, held the Knights to 9 first quarter points as the Christian Community poured in 27 in the opening period. The lead eventually grew to 38-17 before the Knights caught fire and the Colts went cold. However, the lead was twelve for CCHS at the half, 44-32. “The first quarter and half was great from an offensive standpoint. We couldn’t miss and our defense was giving them fits but even though we led, they had momentum.” The Knights came out and scored the first six points to pull within four at 44-38 but the Colts didn’t panic. Rob Siske and Ralph Dunn hit bit shots as the Colts increased their lead to 54-42. The Knights once again scored the next 6 points to cut the lead to 54-48 but Garrett Davis responded with a three point play the old fashioned way and Jemar Lunsford hit a huge three before the final buzzer to put the Colts ahead 60-48 with eight minutes remaining. The Knights wouldn’t go away as they continued to answer every run the Colts had. Rob Siske put the game away as he was able to get position on his smaller defender in the paint and score eight of his game high 20 points in the fourth quarter. The lead stayed within 10-14 for the Colts up until final minute as Lancaster knocked down some long three pointers, including one at the buzzer. The Colts were able to clear the bench in the final minute and give their seniors a well deserved ovation. “I would take this team anywhere with me, I love them that much. We met early before we came to the gym tonight and went over the game plan. They believed in it and we discussed that this was our time and we needed to take advantage of the opportunity and privilege that was set before us.” Tournament MVP Ralph Dunn had 18 points; Devon Jones added 15 and Garrett Davis had 13 to assist Siske’s strong performance. Gabe Brewer led the Knights with 16 points and Caleb Ingram added 14. The Colts find out later this week if their season will continue at the NACA National Tournament in Dayton, TN.