men's basketball

 

Season Review

 

The Faith men’s basketball had a record setting 2009-2010 season, finishing the year 18-13 which tied them with the 1993-1994 and 2002-2003 teams for fourth place all time in wins by a men’s team. The men also set a new team record for field goal percentage, finishing the year shooting 48.6% from the floor as a group. All five starters received post season selections to the NCCAA II North Central All Region team. Senior Noah Kephart was an honorable mention selection, while Sophomore Tyler Terlouw, Junior Jay Nihart and Senior Matt Weatherly were all second team selections. Freshman Tyler Betz was selected to the 1st team and was also the region MVP. Betz was an NCCAA II 1st Team All American as well.

The Eagles played a very difficult first semester schedule, with eight of their 14 first semester games against NCAA III, NAIA, or NCCAA II ranked opponents. Faith played admirably during that stretch, finishing the semester at 7-7 with a key win over Grace University and close losses to Manhattan Christian and NAIA Waldorf College. Faith finished the semester with a three game winning streak and continued that streak into the second semester. The Eagle men reeled off a total of eight wins in a row before falling to region rival North Central University towards the end of January. Faith went 6-2 during the month. The schedule got a little tougher for the Eagles in February as they began to prepare for the regional tournament. Of their eight February contests, four were against NAIA, NCAA III or NCCAA II ranked opponents. The Eagles lost close contests to NAIA University of St. Mary’s (73-81) and NCAA III Presentation College (58-61). All of three of Faith’s regional contests during the month counted towards seeding at the regional tournament. After going 0-3 in the region last year, the Eagle men improved to 2-1, defeating Trinity Bible and Providence College for a #2 finish in the region. The Eagles only regional loss was to eventual region champion North Central University. The day after that tough loss, though, the Eagle men responded with one of their most inspiring games of the year, rallying to defeat then 11th ranked Northland Bible College in their final regular season contest of the year. Faith was the host for this year’s regional tournament. The Eagles faced #3 seeded Trinity Bible College in the semi-final round, but a shot at the national tournament was not to be as the Eagles struggled to find the basket all night, falling 80-85 to the Lions.

After a 7-7 start, the Eagles went 11-6 in the second semester. Faith finished the year ranked nationally in the top 20 in every statistical category including a number one finish in assists per game. Individually, three Eagle men finished in the national top 20. Tyler Betz’s 20.7 ppg. and 10.4 rpg. was good for 7th and 4th respectively. Jay Nihart finished 3rd in the nation in assists per game with 6.1, and Matt Weatherly finished 20th in steals per game.

Off the court the Eagles continued to use athletics as a ministry tool. The men once again travelled to the Iowa state juvenile facility in Eldora, IA, where they hosted an instructional basketball clinic. Afterwards senior Matt Weatherly was able to share his personal testimony with the residents. “It was a great year, one of the most enjoyable I’ve had the opportunity to coach. Our team spirit and camaraderie was great the entire year. These guys worked very hard and I’m so thankful for the time I was able to spend with them and all I was able to learn from them. We’ll miss our seniors, but I’m very excited for the foundation they have laid and for the opportunity to now see the next group take hold and lead next year’s squad,” noted coach Fincham.