Sports Story by Abi Brownell

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News Stories | Send mail to The Voice Team unity spurs MBC to exciting win MBC guard Dave Carpenter drives the lane and collides with Columbia defenders before leaving with an injury. The Ambassadors won the exciting game 88-82. The team needs to win upcoming games to receive a higher ranking at the regional tournament. -Mike Richeson, photos The large crowd of MBC students gave the team a needed boost during the game on Friday against Columbia Bible College. The Ambassadors played an exciting game and won by six points. This victory, and strong play in the next few weeks, will help MBC gain a higher rank in the upcoming regional tournament in Abbottsford, British Columbia. The last game MBC played against Columbia ended in disappointment with the Ambassadors failing to maintain a 10-point lead and then losing by a slim margin. Multnomah's team play grows more efficient as unity continues to build among the players. "To this day," Ryan Finlay, a 6-foot guard, said, "we haven't had one argument or one problem between the players despite already having both lost and gained players in the season." Maybe this attitude has something to do with their new coach, Curt Bickley. This year is Coach Bickley's first at Multnomah. His last coaching job was an impressive five-year run at Valley Christian Academy in Santa Maria, Calif., where his teams continually won championships. He has already managed to impress Finlay, who claims Coach Bickley leads in a way that promotes team unity. Unity is important because, as MBC students, the players are traveling evangelists of sorts. They represent Christ wherever they go, and team travel provides endless opportunities for conversation with all kinds of people. "There's something special about playing sports with fellow Christians that takes it to a whole new level," Professor Dave Jongeward said. "It's not just basketball anymore. Some of my fondest memories of college were with my Christian buddies." Student involvement also plays a large role in the team's success. Finlay emphasized how much the team appreciates the fans who come out to the games. "It's so encouraging," he said. "It makes such a difference for the team." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News Stories | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2004 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.