HOLLANDALE &045; The seventh- and eighth-graders at Hollandale Christian School competed in the annual basketball tournament at Timothy Christian School in Wellsburg, Iowa recently.

In the opener, against Kanawha Christian, Hollandale started slow and, despite putting up 34 points, succumbed to a tough opponent.

Immediately following the loss, HCS roared back against St. Paul’s Lutheran School of Latimer, totaling 52 points in a strong victory. Nine different players scored for Hollandale, led by 16 points from Jace DeBoer and 14 by Aaron Troe.

In the final game, against host Timothy Christian, Hollandale fought back after trailing by 20 points and was down just four in the fourth quarter. The Timothy charge was too much, however, and HCS finished in third place.

Twelve Hollandale players scored in the final game.

&uot;We were extremely proud of the sportsmanship and effort put forth by our seventh- and eighth-graders,&uot; reported a school spokesperson. &uot;They competed with a Christian spirit, and showed how true team sports should be played.&uot;

The team included DeBoer, Troe, Kristy Veldman, Joshua Otterman, Michael Kelly, Megan Peterson, Annika Smed, Samantha VanBeek, Abby Christianson, Jason Randall, Joshua Howe, David Reed, Lindsay Park, Jenna Godeke, Evan Anderson, Isaac Brandt, Robert Heijerman and Emily Gaudian. Head coach Shawn Yates was assisted by Mark Smed.