This frog and the late Marc Davidson had many a conversation over the years. Sometimes about basketball. Sometimes about family. Sometimes about life.
One of the phrases that stuck in my mind was “In His Image” when Davidson spoke about his faith and character; basically how he approached life.
Unfortunately, Davidson is no longer with us. But his legacy lives on, particularly on the hardwood.
This Blackhawk Christian team sure looks the part of being “In His Image.” but instead of a higher power, it oozes reminders of Davidson’s top squads coaching the Braves.
There has been no more emphatic example of that than Tuesday night – a 51-27 drubbing of Homestead in a battle that pitted arguably the two best teams in northeast Indiana against one another.
Instead of entertaining, back-and-forth matchup we saw Blackhawk Christian dominate after Homestead scored five of the first six points. It was all Braves after that.
Offensively, the offense ran smooth and efficient with three players finishing in double figures – led by senior Gage Sefton’s 13 points.
But defensively was where this game was won. The Braves were relentless in the half-court, forcing several uncharacteristic first-half turnovers by Will Jamison that led to transition buckets.
Kyron Kaopuiki entered Tuesday as Homestead’s leading scorer. He hit a three-pointer early on, then never scored again.
Grant Leeper was held in check by the physical and relentless Josh Furst, who did not shy away from bodying up on the senior and holding him to just three field goals.
Junior Isaac Smith improved his 43 percent three-point percentage by nailing his first three attempts of the second half, burying any hope of a Spartans comeback coming out of the halftime break.
And of course, a Davidson. The senior Jimmy added six points and was a leader on the floor throughout.
It’s a team that plays in their late coach’s image, the same basic fundamentals that have become a hallmark of Blackhawk Christian teams. A defense that doesn’t take plays off and is opportunistic in its ability to get a steal or rebound and get out on the break.
Coach Davidson’s impact is all over this year’s team – players and coaches alike. First-year coach Matt Roth was an assistant under Davidson. Assistant coach Joey Morlan played for and coached under Davidson and now continues to help man the Braves sideline.
Coach Roth is as unassuming as Davidson was. He won’t make much of his squad’s Tuesday dominance, holding Homestead to its lowest point total in Coach Chris Johnson’s 567 games at the helm of the Spartans.
It will be business as usual moving forward with a team now 13-1 overall. Even senior Josh Furst echoed that in postgame, talking about what the Braves need to do “to get ready for Bishop Luers on Saturday.”
Just what Coach Davidson would say.
In his image.
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