Fourteen athletes who competed for Maranatha Christian Academy’s boys and girls basketball teams were honored Monday night at a banquet at Heartland Baptist Church. “We wanted to set aside a special time to honor our athletes who represented Maranatha this past season,” said administrator Bill Nichols. In brief comments before the awards were presented Nichols quoted I Corinthians 10:13, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” reminding the athletes that God was to be honored in whatever we accomplished.
Following the banquet student-athletes were honored by their coaches for their accomplishments year. All participants were presented with a Maranatha Christian Academy award certificate. Rebecca Carlson, girls basketball coach, recognized letter winners Kayley Bruce, Hannah Nichols, Caroline Held, Irene Nickerson, Victoria Abell, Rosanna Balvanz, and Nicole Adolphson. Boys coach Craig Parkinson honored letter winners Ian Nichols, Zach Miller, Tayler Adolphson, David Parkinson, Austin Gregersen, Matt Bruce, and JD Abell.
Special awards were given to leading rebounders Zach Miller and Hannah Nichols. David Parkinson, Tayler Adolphson, and Ian Nichols were given “150 Point Shooter” awards for scoring more than 150 points during the season. Parkinson led all scorers with 197 points.
After the awards to the team, coaches Nick Nickerson, Rebecca Carlson, and Craig Parkinson were presented with gifts from the school and coaches Nickerson and Parkinson were given signed basketballs from boys’ team captain Ian Nichols.
Maranatha’s boys team ended the year with season 11-6 and the girls, in their first year, ended 9-5. Maranatha’s girls team also took third place in the Cono Invitational Tournament.
A DVD presentation which featured a slideshow of photos from games during the year and video highlights of the season followed the awards ceremony. Each family was given a copy of the DVD to take home.
David Parkinson, Ian Nichols, and Tayler Adolphson received "150 point shooter" awards.
Zach Miller and Hannah Nichols received the leading rebounder awards.