The Canaan Christian Academy varsity basketball teams closed out the 2010-’11 campaign with a pair of outstanding performances at the 23rd Annual NPCA Invitational.
Under the direction of first year Coach Jerry Birmelin, Canaan’s girls squad rolled to three straight wins and the tournament title.
The Lady Eagles defeated Central Baptist, 37-26, in the championship game and wound up with a 16-2 overall record.
In the boys bracket, CCA suffered a stunning loss in the quarterfinals. However, the Eagles rebounded to win their final two games and finish in 5th place.
Coach John Ashley’s lads ended the year with a stellar 21-2 mark.
“I?am extremely blessed to be able to coach this great group of guys,” he told TWI Sports. “It’s been a very special season.”
Soaring Eagles
Ashlea Swingle and Rebekah Misiura led the way for CCA’s girls team.
Swingle was named the tournament MVP thanks to a dominating performance in the paint. Ashlea posted a double-double in two of the three games.
She erupted for 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 41-11 quarterfinal win over Cortland. Ashlea then went for 15 in pacing the Lady Eagles to a 48-34 semifinal victory over Lebanon.
In the title tilt, Swingle rattled the rims for 20 points and 13 rebounds as CCA rolled to a double digit win over Central.
Misiura averaged nearly 10 points and eight assists per game en route to an All-Tournament selection.
In boys division action, CCA’s Shawn Beals and Nick Chupick each earned an All-Tourney nod.
Beals averaged a double-double over the course of three games. Shawn’s marquee performance came in Canaan’s 66-32 semifinal win over Maranatha.
Beals exploded for 27 points and 13 rebounds in this victory. He added 13 points and 10 boards in a 62-48 victory against Valley Heights.
Chupick tickled the twine for 10 points per game. Nick tallied 12 against Maranatha and 11 versus Valley Heights.
Joe Chupick scored 16 points and Nathan Kilian added 14 in Canaan’s final game of the season.
