WELLSBURG, Iowa &045; Hollandale Christian School again took part in the annual Timothy Christian Basketball Tournament in Wellsburg, Iowa.

Hollandale played its first game against Kanawha Christian School and quickly took control, leading 30-0 at the end of the first half behind 12 points by Jace DeBoer, eight by Annika Smed and six by Evan Anderson. Great defense continued throughout the game as Hollandale coasted to victory, 49-13. Second-half scoring was led by Michael Kelly and Luke Godeke, each with six, and Jamie Park and Matthew Reed with four each. Josh Howe and Laura Gaudian rounded out the scoring for Hollandale.

Immediately following the victory, Hollandale took the floor against St. Paul’s Lutheran School of Latimer, Iowa. After a slow start with only two points in the first quarter by Howe, Hollandale came on strong in the second behind 10 points by DeBoer and eight by Anderson. In the second half, DeBoer and Godeke each tacked on four more, Howe added a free throw, and Park, Kelly, and Megan Peterson rounded out the scoring as Hollandale finished off its second victory, 35-22.

After a short break, Hollandale took on the reigning champion and host school, Timothy Christian. Despite witnessing two dunks by one of the Wellsburg eighth-graders, the Hollandale squad came out ready to battle. Unfortunately, the bounces were not favorable early, and Hollandale faced an 18-4 deficit in the first quarter, the only points coming from Smed. DeBoer put in eight in the second, but at the half Hollandale still trailed by 14. Godeke, Gaudian, and Peterson each contributed to the scoring in the third quarter, and Smed and DeBoer added to their totals in the fourth, but Timothy was just too strong this time, and Hollandale fell 47-29.

Despite a disappointing finish, the tournament was a great success for the team as a whole. Fun was had by all, and every student gave their best effort. Coming home with a second-place finish was a definite improvement over past years, and the team effort was fantastic.