Canaan Christian Academy’s boys basketball team is coming off an outstanding season.
Under the direction of Coach John Ashley, last year’s edition of the Eagles soared to an 18-7 overall record.
In addition, the local lads captured another NPCA crown and finished second in the Class AAA bracket at the 2008-‘09 KCEA state tournament.
“We had a great year, there’s no doubt about it...but, I think this year has a chance to be just as exciting,” Coach Ashley told TWI Sports. “We have a whole bunch of experienced players coming back, so we should be alot of fun to watch.”
Canaan will tip-off its 2009-‘10 regular season this weekend with a full slate of games against longtime rival Ross Corners.
“That should be a good test for us,” Coach Ashley said. “It will give me a pretty good idea of where we are as a team.”
Hoops action at CCA’s Varden campus will begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with a jayvee girls game. The varsity boys should hit the floor by about 1:30 p.m.
Forward & Back
Canaan’s lone loss to graduation last year was a big one.
All-Star center Ryan Hollings-head moved on to the collegiate level. However, four other start-ers and several key back-ups return for the Eagles.
Three seniors will show the way for Canaan. Josiah Misiura, Matt Thompson & Ricky Grant provide veteran leadership and scoring punch.
Misiura is closing in on the 1,000-point mark for his varsity career. A senior power forward, Josiah will become the fourth player in school history to reach that magical number.
“Josiah is very level-headed and versatile,” said Coach Ashley. “He can score inside or outside. Josiah is really alot of fun to coach and to watch.”
Thompson has been running CCA’s offense at the varsity level since eighth grade. Now a senior, the Eagles’ talented point guard is looking to cap his career with another title.
Grant is a talented natural athlete who also excels on the soccer pitch. A senior 2-guard, Ricky will use his quickness and speed to wear down opposition players in the backcourt.
Nathan Kilian and Shawn Beals round out this year’s starting five for Canaan.
A 6’2” junior center, Kilian has big shoes to fill in succeeding the departed Hollingshead. Nathan should be a formidable physical force in the paint.
Beals is an absolute nightmare for defenders. The junior forward can muscle his way to points in the post, but also possesses a deadly jumper.
Sophomore guard Nick Chupick and freshman forward Joe Chupick will be first off the bench for the Eagles.
On the Attack
Coach Ashley will once again stress up-tempo basketball.
Canaan’s veteran skipper is an avid proponent of fastbreak offense and man-to-man defense.
“We’re going to pressure the ball and look to run just about every chance we get,” he said. “This is a very athletic group of kids and they like to get out and run the floor.”
Coach Ashley believes that his squad will be tested early & often with a challenging schedule. The Eagles earned silver medals at last season’s KCEA tourney, so they’ll have the proverbial targets on their backs.
In addition to Ross Corners, CCA should encounter fierce opposition from a pair of Binghamton-based ballclubs.
Central Baptist and LEAH are both looming on the horizon. The Eagles battle Central on December 15th and LEAH on January 23rd.
