Fairfax Kings (VB)

The Frederick Warriors Varsity Boys traveled to George Mason University on the Monday after Christmas to play the Fairfax Kings. The Kings had a decided height advantage at every position.

Despite that, the Warriors battled to keep the game close early, trailing only 14-12 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Halftime saw the King's two-point lead grow to ten, 32-22. The second half saw the Warriors giving it their all, but the Kings were too strong, extending their lead by about ten points per quarter. The final score was 68-34.

The Warriors were led by Daniel Passarelli with 14 points and 3 rebounds, Josiah Carstens with 8 points and 3 assists, and John Koffman with 7 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. Alex Leao added 4 boards and 2 assists. Jonathan Pefley contributed 3 boards, 2 steals and a block.

All the boys displayed Godly character on the court. Great effort, Warriors!

Fairfax Firebirds (VG)

The Warriors kicked off their Christmas week with a game down in Virginia. The Fairfax Firebirds were like most all teams that the Warrior Ladies have faced, bigger in size and number.

The Ladies started with only seven players to tip off the game; and by the end of the first quarter had 2 compared to the Firebirds’ 20 points.

The Warriors did not let the score or size of the Firebirds throw them off their game. In the 2^nd quarter the Warriors matched Fairfax in scoring, with both teams scoring 6 points.

In the second half the Ladies took to the court with some tough defense, shutting the Firebirds down. Early in the third quarter Emma Matthews suffered a game ending hit to the face which left the Warriors again with only seven players.

The girls outscored and outplayed the Firebirds in the fourth quarter but the lead was too great and the Warriors couldn’t catch up.

Ashley Kelly and Emily Passarelli led the team in points, both having 6. Amanda Stewart and Emma were right behind them with 5 points each. Emily and Gabrielle Freese led the team in rebounds with 7 each; Abby Messinger also pulled down 3. Ashley led the team with 6 steals, with Emily (4) and Abby (3) also having quick hands. Emily led the team in blocks, having 3.

It was a tough loss, but the Warriors never gave up. They played through the injuries and showed great heart. Good job, Ladies!

Fairfax Firebirds (MSG)

The Warriors lost 32-11.

Bethany Carstens led the team with 9 points, following her was Tabitha Leaman with 2 points.

Fairfax (MSB)

The Warriors’ next opponent were the Fairfax Kings. With Coach Phil being sick, his daughter, Kimberly, filled in for him. Bad traffic made many of the boys late, and the Warriors had a slow start and small bench.

Like many teams the boys had faced, the Kings were much bigger and more experienced. By the end of the 1^st quarter, our boys were scoreless.

But they slowly picked up their game and had 4 points by halftime. The boys made some good passes and had some good looks to the basket, but their shots just wouldn’t fall consistently. But they kept trying and had 10 points at the end of the 3^rd quarter. The final score was 50-12.

Everyone contributed to the game. Benjamin Passarelli led the team with 5 points. Noah Passarelli (3), Al Pedroza (2), and Daniel Messinger (2) also contributed to the score.

It was a tough game but the boys never gave less than their hardest. Good job boys!

Mountain View Christian Academy (VB)

With John Koffman unable to make the game the boys took the court next with a new starting line-up which included Joel Kehr and Jonathan Pefley. After a tough loss a month before, the Warriors were more than ready to take on the Conquerors. They knew they had to play extra hard to make up for their earlier loss and they all really wanted to win the game this time around.

While the boys may have been off in their game against MACA earlier in the week, they definitely made up for it Friday night. The Warriors played strong, rebounded well, made good passes, and had many great looks at the basket. The boys played beautiful basketball from the tip-off to final buzzer. The Conquerors just couldn’t keep up, and were trailing the entire game.

The high scorer of the night was Daniel Passarelli with 17 points. Following him were Josiah Carstens (14), Chris Leao (7), and Joel (6). Leading the team in rebounds were Toby McGrath and Alex Leao both with 9. Other rebounders were Chris (4), Joel (4), and Jonathan Pefley (3). Josiah, Jason Kehr, Joel, and Daniel all led the team with a steal each. Josiah led the team with 7 assists, following him was Joel with 3. Chris led the team with 2 blocks.

There was not a selfish player to be found, the boys passed the ball off and boxed out stupendously. With Toby, Alex, Chris, Joel, and Jonathan crashing the boards, Mountain View couldn’t get their hands on a rebound.

The Warriors played with heart the entire game, and the fans couldn’t have been prouder of them – not only for the skill they showed, but for the Christ-like attitude they portrayed. Great game, Warriors!

Mountain View Christian Academy (VG)

Mountain View Christian Academy was the next team the Warrior ladies took on. With Coach O. not able to make it, Coach Matthews led the team through the game.

First quarter action was non existent, and halfway through the quarter neither team had scored. Second quarter action saw the Lady Warriors fall behind and that’s where they stayed until the end.

After halftime, though, the Crusaders came out much more aggressively. They fouled our ladies numerous times but our girls continued to play through this challenge.

Our ladies held tough and endured a great many injuries (Ashley Kelly being thrown to the ground countless times, Abby Messinger’s ankle twisted, Emma Matthews’ taking a slap to the face, and all other Warriors on the court being thoroughly roughed up) but made a fourth quarter comeback! The Warriors climbed back from a 25-8 deficit at the end of the 3^rd quarter to only lose 35-25; outscoring the Crusaders 17-10 in the 4^th quarter. If only there were five quarters to a game :)

The scoring for the night was evenly distributed with Gabrielle Freese leading the ladies with 9 points, Emily Passarelli right behind with 8, and Emma following it up with 6. Ashley and Amanda Stewart played unselfish ball at point and had many great assists. Abby, Priya Stepp, and Katey Althoff also came in hot off the bench without fail

They may have lost in the end, but they played with much heart and could have won that game if there was more time. Great job ladies!

Mount Airy Christian Academy Junior Varisty (VB)

After a tough loss to Mt. Airy Christian Academy’s varsity team only two weeks earlier the varsity boys took their shot at MACA’s JV team. MACA is always one for a tough physical game; from the tip-off to the final buzzer and they did not disappoint.

By the end of the game MACA had 28 total team fouls! (That’s more than enough to foul out five players!) The extremely physical play had all the boys thrown off their game, and no one’s shot would consistently hit. In addition, the referees let a lot of physical play go uncalled.

Toby McGrath led the team in rebounds, pulling down 9, with Chris Leao behind with 5. Chris led the team with 10 points, with Josiah Carstens (5), John Koffman (4), and Toby (3) also contributed to the score board. Chris also led the team with 2 blocks. John led the team with 4 assists, with Josiah following him with 3. John also led the team with 3 steals, with Daniel Passarelli behind him nabbing 2.

Even though the guys had an off game, they still worked hard and never gave up. They didn’t end up on top but they left knowing they had another game on Friday to improve in.

New Life Christian School Shoot-Out Tournament vs. New Life Christian School (MSB)

Friday night the Warriors found themselves facing the New Life Christian School Rams in the second day of the tournament. As with the opponent the Warriors faced the night before, the Rams were taller, stronger, and a more experienced team.

The Warriors started slowly. There was hesitation to shoot, which left the Warriors pointless by the end of the 1^st quarter.

The 2^nd quarter was a little better, with the boys starting to warm up to shooting and having several good looks at the basket. By halftime the Warriors were still trailing, but had scored and with a good pep talk from Coach Phil, the Warriors looked pumped up coming out to start the 2^nd half.

The Warriors continued to have many good looks to shoot, but the shots just weren’t falling. Benjamin Passarelli led the team with 4 points; Daniel Messinger and Noah Passarelli each followed with 2. Al Pedroza led the team with 6 rebounds, with Daniel pulling down 3. Daniel led the team with 2 blocks, Benjamin and Noah right behind him with 1. Al also led the team in steals, nabbing 2. Noah led the team in assists, dishing out 2.

As far as points go the Warriors didn’t end up on top. But they left knowing that they had given their best and displayed Christ-like character.

New Life Christian School Shoot-Out Tournament vs. Maryland School for the Deaf (MSB)

In the first night of the New Life Christian School Shoot-Out Tournament the Warriors were set to play Maryland School for the Deaf. MSD is known for skill and speed. That night brought no surprises.

There was quite a height difference, and the Orioles made quick passes down low and got many easy shots. The Warriors had trouble against the Orioles swarming defense and found themselves trailing from start to finish.

But the boys didn’t give up, and in the 2^nd half the Warriors made some sharp passes and got several good looks to shoot.

Everyone contributed to the game. Benjamin Passarelli led the team with 4 points. Following him was Brandon Stewart (3), Daniel Messinger (2) and Noah Passarelli (2).

Even though they lost, the Warriors played hard and never gave up. Great job boys!