Granville Christian basketball seniors feel love from school ‘family’

On Jan 20, 2023

NEWARK — Eli Cooper’s parents discovered Granville Christian Academy through an Internet search.

Two years later, Cooper was receiving one of the biggest cheers during senior night festivities Thursday. He then lifted the GCA boys basketball team to a 36-32 victory against visiting Delaware Christian at Fifth Street Gymnasium in Mid-Ohio Christian Athletic League play.

“It’s heartwarming. I love it,” said Cooper, flashing a victorious grin. He previously attended Tri-Valley. “I get accepted here, and I appreciate it.”

Cooper has provided a big boost to the Lions (4-10, 3-5) He scored a go-ahead basket off an assist from junior Andrew Benvie, and he and sophomore Bentley Johnson each made two clutch free throws for the game’s final four points.

“I like pressure,” Cooper said. “I want to be the one shooting the ball at the end of the game. That’s what I do.”

The GCA girls earlier also fought to the finish against Delaware Christian. After losing standout junior Brianna Hubbard to injury late in the third quarter, the Lions (8-6, 5-3) were edged 35-30 by the Eagles (9-5, 5-3), who received 17 points from sophomore Addy Beard and won their sixth consecutive game.

Disappointment did not linger long. During those senior night festivities, seniors Natalia Locke, Ellie Flowers and Chloe Hamilton each received a big ovation.

“It’s one of the beautiful things about being here at Granville Christian,” GCA girls coach Greg Rhoads said. “You get to know them on a personal level. To see them recognized like that makes all of that worthwhile. Tough loss, but it makes you smile and appreciate what we’re doing out here.”

GCA also recognized cheerleaders Addie Haga and Chloe Hansen, Alexandra Cannone, who swims for Northridge, and Kamden Lawson, who plays hockey for the Newark Generals.

“Because it’s a little school, more people can come and support each other, and since we all know each other, it’s like a big family,” said Locke, the girls team’s point guard.

The GCA boys were able to turn the tables on Delaware Christian (6-9, 4-4) after dropping the season’s first meeting 59-49. Cooper scored twice early before going to bench with two fouls, and the Lions trailed 19-11 at halftime.

The Lions surged back in the third quarter as Benvie hit a pair of 3s, and Johnson scored on a breakaway off a steal. Sophomore Zack Leija assisted Cooper after grabbing an offensive rebound early in the fourth quarter.

“It’s satisfying for it to be a close game and you come out on top,” Cooper said. “To be honest, I didn’t play that well in the first half. In the second half, we played a lot better. We play for God’s glory, and that’s all that matters.”

Cooper led a balanced attack with 12 points, and Benvie and Johnson added 11 apiece. Junior Landen Pound grabbed a key steal late with the Lions leading 34-32.

GCA, which returned just Benvie and Cooper from last year’s starting lineup, has won two of its last three games. The Lions host Fisher Catholic on Monday.

“We’ve definitely come along in the second half of the season,” said GCA boys coach Caleb Patton, who has moved over a seat on the bench after assisting Michael Williams.

“We have a lot of young guys that have to contribute,” Patton added. “They hadn’t played much basketball, but they are all coming along and looking great.”

The girls game was a near carbon copy as junior Ella Rhoads hit a pair of 3s, including one to beat the second-quarter buzzer, to spark GCA following a slow start.

Locke’s pull-up jumper in the lane midway through the third quarter gave GCA a lead at 23-22. Hubbard went coast-to-coast with a steal before injuring her ankle.

“What we’ve talked about is own your piece of the puzzle,” Greg Rhoads said. “Each night, your piece might look different. To see the girls step up and own that and have their successes in different ways, it’s great.”

Ella Rhoads led GCA with 10 points, and Hubbard added six as six Lions reached the scoring column, including Flowers and freshman Skyler Weekley, who combined for all seven of their points in the second half. Despite being one of the smallest players on the floor, sophomore Elizabeth Cox grabbed key rebounds.

The Lions, who host Utica on Monday and Gilead Christian next Thursday, graduated standouts Hannah Hubbard and Darynne Zellar, but a three-game winning streak early in the season sent them on a wave of momentum that has them in reach of back-to-back winning seasons. Locke’s return to the program after sitting out two seasons has been a big lift.