Windsock

"One of the More Competitive Teams"

 

Harrisonburg, VA- September 25: Walking from the cold drizzling rain to the warm light of the EMHS gymnasium, I feel a wave of bass and energy hit me square in the chest. I'm in the right place for sure, and the game is about to begin. Liberty Christian Academy takes an assertive early lead, jumping 3-0 over the Flames, and kicking the home team into action. After two blocked spikes by Leah Jacobs, EMHS finally wins the point, 3-1. The game goes on and LCA continues to dominate. At 3-10 the Flames call for their first time-out, and it becomes clear they were not ready to face a team like Liberty. Sadly, this pattern would contiunue throughout the game and the night. The Bulldogs took the first game 15-25, and had EMHS backpeddling the entire time. "I was really pleased with how you (were playing). You're one of the more competitive teams we've played. You have a very scrappy team and we look forward to playing you guys in the BRCC," commented Bulldog coach Lisa Deaver.

                      GAME 2

Sophmore Kelsey Blosser tips the ball over the net and to the left, suprising Bulldog defenders and  bringing the  game  to a 4-4 deadlock in what would prove to be the  most fought for game of the night. The game continued blow for blow until the Flames lead 10-8 and LCA turned things around, quickly
regaining lost ground and pushing EMHS back up against a wall. Soon they were ahead 13-16. Through a series of spikes blocks and the occasional ace, Liberty took complete control and sprinted to a 16-22 lead. EMHS however, refused to go down without a fight, rallying to within a single point before
a feint set fell across the net closing game two a 23-25 Bulldog win.

                      GAME 3

Halfway through the third (and final) game of the night LCA held a commanding 11-19 lead, and while the Flames picked up the pace late in the game, it would prove to be too much to handle. The last game ended 18-25, and the night was a 3-0 Liberty Christian win. "In the first game we could have pushed
harder, so it wouldn't be up to the last two games" said Blosser after the game. "The Twin Towers were gone, we were pumped, but they have a really good program."

- Mikey Cranston

(Photo from Grace Tournament by Josh Hertzler)

Baseball Season Preview

At EMHS, baseball has never seen much of the spotlight, but this year, things just might be about to change.  As 2nd year Coach Jason Stulmiller put it, "If everything goes as planned, we could make it all the way to the championship game."  Stulmiller would know: he played catcher for EMU two years before coming to EMHS.  This season brings many new players to the Flames, including Connor Wolfe, Isaac Driver, and Jae White.

Said senior pitcher Stefan Baughman, "Right now our biggest challenge is just staying healthy... staying healthy and keeping our guys academically legible."  That may indeed be a problem.  Both JV Soccer and Basketball have had players benched due to poor grades.  But Baughman is quick to add, "We've got a bunch of talent.  Our team could really play well this year."

Whatever happens, count on it being a bonding experience for both players and coaches.  8th Grade Outfielder Isaac Driver told me "It's been pretty hilarious.  (My teammates) are really funny."

- Mikey Cranston

JV Boys Basketball Wins VIC Championship

After having one of the best seasons in recent memory, the JV boys steam-rolled their way through the playoffs and into the championship game, played last Saturday, the 23rd of February.  It was there they played Covenant, renewing what is fast becoming a hard-fought rivalry.

In the first quarter, the Flames were playing an average game, and came out with a five point lead, but by the end of the first half they were winning by just a single point (24-23). Said freshman Benson Hostetter, "[Coach] Bix[ler] got us real pumped up at half time, and we went out there and got a 14-0 run, and eventually won by six, 48-42. It was really fun. I'm glad I could be a part of it."  The Flames were led in scoring by sophomore Diogo Durante, with 15 points, Richie Hine, with 12, and Parker Leap, with 10.

The win in the finals ran the team's record to an excellent 21-3.

Congratulations to Coach Bixler and the JV boys!

- Mikey Cranston

Our Basketball Teams in Playoffs

Boys Hammer Grace

Right from the get-go Mitchell and Travis had Grace on their heels, scoring point after whistle-evoking point on the baffled Warrior defense.  EMHS seemed to know their opponents, playing a run-and-gun offense in transition while Grace struggled in getting back into position.  This was evident in the fact that Senior Dillon Brunk went to the line twice in the first minute of the game.  With 3:19 left in the first quarter, Verne Canfield called time.  His team was losing 11-6.  Soon it became 18-6, and finally, 66-52.

Congratulations Flames, and good luck in the semi-finals! The guys will play in the semis on Thursday at Fishburne Academy.

Girls Fall to Virginia Episcopal

Our girls unfortunately fell in their quarter-final Blue Ridge tournament game against Virginia Episcopal, 61-42. Coach Jennifer Young called it a "rough night," with the team's injuries as proof.  Senior Erica Lehman went down with an ankle injury in the 2nd quarter, while Junior Emily Hollen sprained her wrist in the 3rd. Sophomore Katy Bergey led the team with 15 points, and Junior Lucy Showalter added 12.

The Flames ended their season with a 9-14 record.

Flames Dismantle Fishburne

Mitchell Leap.

I could stop the article right there and you would know everything necessary about Thursday's game. The senior guard posted a possibly-record breaking (If not amazing) 39 points in EMHS's blowout win over Fishburne Military School. In fact, halfway through the game, he and senior Travis Nyce had outscored the entire Fishburne team.

In the game's opening minutes, the Flames jumped to an early 9-4 lead over their guests, establishing a dominance they would continue to show throughout the duration of the contest. Fishburne had one substantial big man who recorded several blocks, but other than that no one seemed capable of shutting EMHS down. On offense, Fishburne's star was forward Michael Barrett, who scored 22 points.

One reason the Flames were so easily (85-57) able to beat Fishburne was because of a relentless defense. Leap had many fast break opportunities due to picked off passes. More than a few times frustrated opponents would throw wild passes out of bounds, a tribute to our defensive efforts.

Travis Nyce scored 17 points, Ryan Eshleman 11, and Austin Townsend 10 in one of EMHS basketball's finest moments of the season thus far.

- Mikey Cranston

Varsity Guys are "Starting to Believe"

As we look forward to the new basketball season, we must also remember the importance of looking back. EMHS lost all but one starter from last year's squad. The seniors gone are Joel Bergey, Forest Cole, Bryan Morgan, Jordan Lehman, and Andrew Gingrich. But, as seems to be a recurring pattern with clouds, there is a silver lining. This year brings five new players to the Flames varsity. Forwards Jeremy Sauder, Austin Townsend, and Chandler Hardy will add size in the paint, while guards Steven Smith and Matt Blauch suit up at 1 and 2. I had the chance to talk to junior forward Ryan Eshleman earlier this evening. "One of our main goals is to improve every game. We started off the season a little slow, but we've made some huge strides since then, and after last night's close game with Harrisonburg, I think we're really starting to believe we can do some things. While we love competing with local public schools, we have a major focus on the VIC and performing well every time we play a conference game. We're looking forward to growing together as a team and playing some good basketball," he said. I also asked him if there was one new player he was especially excited about. He answered, "Well, I'm excited about all of them, really, but Steven Smith can really shoot the J, and has good hands on D. He could really be a positive factor for us this year." - Mikey Cranston

Boys Varsity Scores:                                                   

Harrisonburg High School 54, EMHS 31

Luray High School 62, EMHS 60

Stonewall Jackson High School 58, EMHS 53

Page County High School 67, EMHS 46

EMHS 63, Westover Christian Academy 55

Harrisonburg High School 58, EMHS 56

Boys Junior Varsity Scores:

Harrisonburg High School 37, EMHS 25

EMHS 50, Luray High School 43

Woodberry Forest School 46, EMHS 24

EMHS 68, Westover Christian Academy 46

EMHS 45, Timberlake Christian School 14

Harrisonburg High School 60, EMHS 36

Volleyball Flames in Blue Ridge Tournament

Match 1: EMHS Flames vs. North Cross Raiders

The Flames took an early lead in the first game on Saturday, quickly rising 6-3 over the visiting Raiders. Backed by an enthusiastic bench and a fired up crowd, seniors Hannah Eberly and Kendra Miller led EMHS in a stunning performance. The Flames' ability to judge whether or not a ball would land in bounds seemed to play a significant role in their win. The Flames showed a great balance between finesse and power. That balance, one remembers, is what won the game, and eventually the match, for Eastern Mennonite.

It was in the second game that North Cross's offense truly showed up. After jumping ahead 1-4 early, the Raiders maintained control of the pace until late in the game, when the Flames grabbed onto Malia Hostetter's coattail and let her strong serve close the gap. A tap over the net from Hannah Eberly, and the fans were up off their feet and screaming. the Flames took their second game 28-26.

After breaking free from an early  5-5 deadlock, Kendra Miller smacked a standing spike over the net, meeting no resistance and falling dead to the floor, bringing 9-8 to 10-8. It was then that freshman Leah Jacobs started playing her best. It was also then that the left-corner guys started hollering "Leah time!" whenever she got near the ball. After Jacobs killed a well-placed set to bring about a 24-22 game point, Eberly popped an uncontested feint set over the net for the win.

Match 2: EMHS Flames vs. LCA Bulldogs

After a few JV games were played, EMHS's varsity took on LCA in the semi-finals. the bleachers were packed, the lights were bright; it was a great day for volleyball. EMHS won the coin toss and took the first serve. After a few rallies across the net, the Bulldogs blocked at the net and the ball fell to the floor. The proud LCA fans whooped and hollered, even at this; the first point. after going up an early 3-1,  the Bulldogs would continue to dominate the game, eventually winning it 24-16 after a well-placed jump-serve from Courtney Cooper.

Game two was a disaster. We started off playing poorly, showed brief glimpses of brilliance around the middle of the game, and ended the game in the former style. A brief EMHS run was not enough to suffice for such a gap in scores. It's not so much that the Flames were out-matched, but that they were just having an off game. The Bulldogs won 25-9.

In game three, EMHS really gave LCA a run for its money. They battled for every point, routinely hitting the floor and running far out of bounds trying to keep their championship hopes alive. As freshman Middle-Hitter Leah Jacobs put it,  "I think we really came together and found out how to play well as a team. We were able to get a lot of the balls up and then do something productive with them." LCA went on to beat Grace in the final.

- Mikey Cranston

Flames Fall from Grace

In a stifling three game match against Grace Christian, the Flames emerged a battered, beaten, and altogether grudge-bearing team. Said Freshman Middle Hitter Leah Jacobs, "We were all really pumped to play them before the game, but as soon as our feet hit the court, I feel we played like we had already lost. The energy was really lacking."

The first game immediately sent the Flames reeling. Grace jumped to an early lead, and the EMHS women seemed to spend the rest of the match lackadaisically trying to recover. It's not so much that they were out-played, but were out-hustled. This kind of loss is the hardest to take; knowing that they could have done something more. Knowing that there was some energy, some effort they didn't give.

The second and third games were more of the same from the Warriors, and more of the same from the Flames as well. The crowd had quieted. The bench was somber. Mr. Meiser's voice had lost its ring. It became obvious EMHS wouldn't be pulling any last minute miracles.

Does the team have the heart to continue? Varsity women, don't give up on yourselves!

- Mikey Cranston (pictures by Maggie Porter)

Flames Torch Roanoke

In a perfect world, games like Tuesday's just wouldn't happen. In a perfect world, teams would be evenly matched, and both could walk off the field smiling. EMHS's 9-0 rout of Roanoke is a perfect example of just how lopsided high school soccer can be. Goals were scored by Mitchell Leap, Matt Blauch, Lucas Schrock-Hurst, Lucas Blosser, Daude Teel, Kevin Chico, Mark Mast, and Josh Hertzler. This not only shows the Flame's dominance, but also their ability to see the ball to every player.

For the most part, Tuesday's game was seen as prep for Thursday's match against Covenant (also a win, 3-0). Head coach Kendal Bauman told the Daily News Record, "(One of our goals is to) Not get into being complacent. We're not going to have that much time against Covenant."  (Part of the reason for this sentiment is that Covenant plays on a smaller field)

Against Roanoke, EMHS came out confident and did a great job of defending their goal, allowing only one shot the entire match. Goalie Dillon Brunk recorded five saves and another shutout.

Said Junior Ryan Eshleman, "We used the game as a chance to work on playing it quickly and control possession, since we know against Covenant we won't have time to dribble as much. Those are the kinds of games you wish were over at halftime."

- Mikey Cranston

Basil Marin: Spiritual Renewal Week

Another Spiritual Renewal week has come and gone. Another week of long chapels and short bells, of good moods and 'Wasn't it awesome how?'s.' Another week of experiencing community and love. Another week of EMHS as One.

Our speaker was Basil Marin (left), father of sophomore Liz Marin. He used the week to tell us about how we have the "Power to Connect Four," with the sub theme "YOU are Highly Favored."

At first, this reporter was under the impression he was being told that he was highly flavored, but after getting that misconception out of the way, he got to thinking. What does it mean to be highly favored? Does it mean you're mom's golden boy? Does it mean you're the teacher's pet? How does this change how we behave? If you knew, walking into a classroom, that the teacher loved and cared about you immensely, would that change how you acted? Would you always be on the move to impress them, or would you take that gift of love for granted, and treat it as diplomatic immunity, unconditional? I'd like to challenge each and every one of you, as well as myself, to look upon God's favor as gift. He didn't HAVE to love us. He doesn't HAVE to forgive us every time we fall. This is God's choice. His forgiving spirit is what gives us life.

Family, Friends, Others and Self. Basil talked at length about how we, through the grace of Christ Jesus, can connect these in our life. Family plays a major role in every Christian's life. Family are those who will love you when you love them, and love you when you hate them.

Friends. Friends are those you can always go to. Even when the world seems to have forgotten you're there, your friends know. Your friends will speak the truth, even when they know it won't be popular.

Others. This means you. You are "Others" to almost everyone you see. Make a difference while being an "Other." Change the way people view people, and you will have made a serious impact on someone's life. Be a smiling unfamiliar face.

Self. This also means you. This means you and no one else. No one but you, God, and the Devil can be the voice in your head, no one but you can make your decisions. God gives us complete freedom in how we live our lives, for love without an alternative is no love at all. God makes us choose for ourselves to follow him. He sent his son to pay atonement for our faults, and he died for all, but that doesn't mean that we can't spit in his face. That doesn't mean that we can't reject him. We need to accept God's gift of love and accept God's gift of grace. You have the power to connect four, and you are highly favored. Believe this, live if this out and I guarantee you'll never look back.

- Mikey Cranston