Mount Calvary boys' basketball claimed the CCAC banner for the third consecutive year with their 73-47 triumph over the Conestoga Christian Cougars on Tuesday, March 2nd.

The championship matchup was a highly anticipated showdown and one that culminated in the Chargers' 20th consecutive win. The Chargers rocketed out to a 19-9 first quarter lead and continued to build on that momentum.

"We wanted to start fast and keep the pressure up for the entire game while also executing at a high level on offense" pointed out head coach Kory Pruner. "I was so proud of every person on the team. We really played a complete game."

That high offensive level was bolstered by a game high 24 points from senior Aidan Masters, 15 from freshman Avery Kopcha, and 12 from Hunter Stewart.

Prior to the CCAC title game, the Chargers took down Linville Hill, 79-49, in the semifinal round on February 17th.

Masters (24 points) and Kopcha (21 points) again paced the offense, reinforced by 10 points from Wyatt Lamb while Stewarts' eight rebounds and Brett Taylor's seven assists and four steals made the Chargers a threat from all angles.

The Chargers' District run was cut short in the semi-final round after a 70-67 loss to La Academia Charter, a team that the Chargers had defeated in the regular season, 73-70, in early January.

"Although we fell short of our goal of winning the District and returning to the state tournament, the season was still a success in every other measure," reflected Pruner. "More important than the 21 straight wins was the ability of this team to play their hearts out in order to honor God and build each other up."

The club's theme for the year was "Rise Up" an exhortation to grow in the authenticity of their faith.

Prior to their eventful post-season was a flawless 18-0 regular season. This close-knit team learned to depend on each other as they faced obstacles unique to a season held during a pandemic as well as overcoming stiff competition from Hamburg (72-62), Delone Catholic (82-57), Lancaster Country Day (73-55), and Millersburg (73-57).

In each of their victories, the Chargers showcased balanced scoring and great defense, while demonstrating unselfish play and unity.

Four MC seniors were pivotal leaders both on and off the court and will be greatly missed.

Aidan Masters, Evan Barnes, Damian Rutt, and Hunter Stewart will each graduate this spring and Coach Pruner had high praise for the unique talents of each one.

Barnes has filled many a role on the Charger basketball team and will be remembered for his continued growth and efforts, as well as his three-point shot, netting 53 downtown buckets in his varsity career.

"Evan is a wonderful teammate and has become a very coachable young man. His support for those who play more than him, and his respect of my coaching decisions shows that he has grown both spiritually and as a man," noted Pruner.

Masters has left no doubt to his impact on the game, accruing 1391 total points in his varsity career as well as dominating the stats with 249 steals and 391 assists. Masters was certainly a major contributor to the last three CCAC championship titles, but his influence went beyond just his on-court prowess.

"Many will remember Aidan as a great athlete and one of the best players in program history. But I will also remember him for his incredible growth as a student and leader over the past four years. His light-hearted personality partnered with an unwavering determination to perform at a high level makes him a uniquely impactful leader," described Pruner.

Stewart's energy on the hardwood was never in question, and his enthusiasm for anything he put his mind to is one of his key traits. Stewart finished his varsity career just shy of the 1,000-point milestone, at 976, and surpassed 700 career rebounds.

"Hunter is a player after my own heart - intense, smart, willing to dive on the floor, loves to rebound and play in the post," Pruner pointed out. "His passion for the game is only shadowed by his love for God and constant pursuit of doing what is right."

When describing Rutt, Pruner used the words 'servant leader' and emphasized Rutt's unique ability to apply his skills in ways that were truly best for the team, reflected in his collection of 102 career assists.

"Damian is a player who is unselfish yet undeterred; who has great perspective, and is willing to defer to his teammate. He works hard in every aspect of life, and typically does so with a quiet humility."

While not everything in the season went according to plan, the Chargers close the books on another season distinguished by accomplishment, character growth, and motivation for the future.

"Three titles in a row is something to cherish-something our seniors will take with them and that our underclassmen will use as fuel for next year," concluded Pruner.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

The Lady Chargers' post-season run in the CCAC tournament started out with a win over High Point Baptist (40-33) but came to a halt in the semi-finals after a 46-36 loss to eventual conference champions Harrisburg Christian.

Accumulating a 15-8 overall season record, the Lady Chargers showed their endurance and improvement, stringing together a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season and embark on their playoff journey.

After their exit from the CCAC tournament, the Lady Chargers headed to PIAA District III playoffs and squared off against Greenwood High School, falling by a slim 41-38 margin.

"I'm proud of the girls and their never quit attitude," praised head coach Phil Ferrari. "We battled all year long regardless of the circumstances and we stayed together as a team."

The squad will bid farewell to senior athletes Kara Locker and Julia Martin.

Locker finishes her four-year varsity career with 985 total points, averaging over 15 ppg this season. Her leadership on the court embodied the team theme of accountability and high standards taken from Proverbs 27:17. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (NKJ).

"Kara has been our leading scorer since her freshman year and we are obviously going to miss what she brings on the offensive end but more importantly we are going to miss her leadership and her desire to get better as a basketball player," Ferrari said of Locker. "She has worked extremely hard to improve every year and as a result she has challenged her teammates to raise their level of play as well."

When describing Martin, Ferrari emphasized her hustle and determination, attributes easily confirmed by a glance at her career stats, as Martin holds the distinction of the program's all-time leader in both steals (267) and deflections (233).

"Julia's contributions cannot simply be measured by how many points she has scored. She led the team in deflections, steals and all-around hustle plays. I've never seen a faster player on the court and I've received so many compliments from other players and coaches about how hard she plays and how she never gives up," concluded Ferrari.