Championship highlights

we are the champs!

Championship Edition: By now, you know that Cornerstone won it all. What you might not know is the unlikely fashion in which they won. Our guys were record setters, in that they held their opponent, St. Francis, down to twenty eight percent shooting in the championship game. They also garnered recognition as the team that won by the largest average margin of victory in the history of the tournament for a 5-game schedule.

Johnny’s Army really came through this week. The players rallied around the Teiss family as our fans embraced the cause. We won many of the locals in Branson over as well, even C of O’s President Davis. “Cornerstone deserved to win it this year,” he said. Many of the local TV and print media provided coverage of the team’s story. I wish the fans at home could have seen how your CU athletes,

Cornerstone University 2011 NAIA Champions

friends, administrators, and family represented your cause. “Boast in nothing, except in the Lord,” Andy Smith said during our Sunday chapel. That was the attitude the CU faithful tried to embrace this entire Final Four experience. I felt it culminated as the entire team huddled around Johnny with the championship banner and listened as Dr. Stowell prayed for Johnny and the Teiss family. We loved partying with Robbie on Sunday, celebrating his birthday and we loved celebrating the NAIA championship with him, Johnny, and the Golden Eagle faithful even more!

We are headed home to Grand Rapids. It seems like it has been months since we were home. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with all of the CU family. Once again, you made this entire tournament an experience to remember. See you soon!

- Coach Roark

Video highlights: semifinal victory over northwood

Next stop…national championship game

Final Four Edition: What an unexpected game. The guys came out laser focused on their assignments defensively and executed Coach Elders’ game plan to perfection. Coach Elders was matching wits with the NCAA legend, Rolie Massimino, who orchestrated the greatest upset in the history of the NCAA tournament as he led Villanova past Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA championship. Bryan Pasciak and Wes Hudson held the All-American shooting guard from Northwood to 4 total points, well below his 24-point per game average. The front line (Caleb Simons, Kelvin Devries, Ted Albert, Derek Kingshott) provided the power up front throwing their bodies at 2 double-digit scorers for the Florida team.

As usual, it was a total team effort, as every player played at least 4 minutes. Anthony Allen joined the NAIA scoring parade as he netted his first two points, puncuating the win for us.

After the win, we had a time of fellowship with Johnny’s Army, back at the hotel. Dr. Stowell even flew down today to take part in the festivities, as well as several members of the softball and basketball teams. Our cheerleading squad made it to their first game of the tournament, and the guys were happy to give them the chance to perform during the Championship Game.

The guys are not satisfied yet, however. As I’m typing this, many of them are already discussing our defensive matchups for tomorrow night and trying to envision the players they will find themselves matched up against. This group has been on a meaningful journey all year. They realize they have one more step tomorrow. Thanks to all the CU loyal fans and supporters. We appreciate your love and encouragement. Our guys all realize that you are a big part of their success. Your heartfelt, uplifting words have been well-received. Time to watch some game film on St. Francis. One more long night…

- Coach Roark

final four banquet – branson belle

Branson Belle Day: We woke up today excited to be in the Final Four but unfulfilled. There is work yet to be done. Johnny’s Army is not ready to go back home yet. After a church service in the Clarion Inn Conference Center led by the voice of the Golden Eagles, Andy Smith, and for the first time all week, we had the opportunity to practice at the College of the Ozarks. I think the guys were more contemplative than anything else, as they watched the clock run down on practice (literally, the NAIA only allows 45 minutes to each team). We are looking forward to this next phase of the journey.

Before practice we had an opportunity to help celebrate Rob Teis’ birthday at a local rec. center. Some of our loyal fans, most notably “Superfan” Wayne Dalman, Andy Smith, Dan Simons, and the Albert crew, launched shots at the open gym,

The team with Rob and Johnny Teis.

along with the kids in attendance at the party. A three point contest was proposed between Kelvin Devries, Justin Yoder, and the CU fans, but it never materialized. Nothing warms the heart, though, than watching Wayne Dalman “make it rain” from behind the arc. Coach Eric Desantis was impressed. “You have to be impressed with Wayne’s joy for the game, and his exuberance,” he said.

After the party and the practice, we attended the Final Four Banquet. Usually, it is held on the actual boat, the Branson Belle; however, a windstorm destroyed some of the boat and it is under repairs. The alternative site was in the Keeter Conference Center. After a meal of pork filet mignon, we moved into the Performance Area. The same show that would have taken place on the Belle moved to the Conference Center. A six-man singing group, a magician MC, and a violin-playing vocalist brought the crowd to its feet with resounding numbers.

Its back to homebase for the night. We will have a walk through in the morning. Tomorrow is the biggest day yet. Thanks CU family for building Johnny’s Army.

final four bound

Cornerstone advanced on to the Final Four today after a convincing win against McPherson College. It was up and at ‘em early…walkthrough and shootaround at Branson High, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and on to the games. We watched St. Francis eak out a win over WHAC rival Davenport, Northwood (FL) defeat Oklahoma Wesleyan, and C of O best Indiana Wesleyan.

Our game was a great one. Everyone played and everyone contributed. It was a bit tight early, but the lead stretched to 15 at halftime. An early surge lead to a quick 20-point lead, and eventually our depth ruled once again as the lead went as high as 42 points late in the second half. The margin of victory was unexpected, as McPherson has been a great defensive squad all season.

Tomorrow will bring an early church service in the hotel conference center at the Clarion Inn, led by the voice of the Golden Eagles, Andy Smith, and then practice at the College of the Ozarks for 45 minutes. The Branson Belle was damaged in wind storm recently, so the Final Four Banquet will be held on the campus of C of O. The guys are greatly looking forward to the challenge ahead. Northwood (FL) is our next opponent. Johnny’s Army is growing. Please continue to pray for him and his family. Thanks to everyone in the CU family once again, we appreciate all of your support as the season continues Monday night.

- Coach Roark

quarterfinal recap – Cornerstone University defeats McPherson College

CU defeated McPherson 87-52 in the NAIA Quarterfinals and will now go against #2 Northwood (FL) in the semi-finals on Monday night at 9 p.m. (EST).

Round 2 recap – Cornerstone defeats Iowa Wesleyan

good times in branson

We are 2 games in and headed for the Elite 8. McPherson College is our next opponent – a team playing their best basketball of the season right now. Game one was a 30-point victory, but did not start out that way. Johnson and Wales came to play and were not going to just lay down. Fortunately for us, our depth eventually wore them down and we were able to play all of our players and get some of the freshmen some good tournament seasoning.

Game 2 was similar. We actually started down 9-2 to Iowa Wesleyan and were looking a bit confused to start. We made some big runs, though, beginning at the end of the first half. The second half was much the same as game 1, as we pulled ahead and it appeared their players wore down a bit, as their starters had logged some heavy minutes the previous night.

Off the court, our Branson Adventures continue. Thursday night in the Clarion Convention Center, Jill Simons and her band of merrymen and women put on a Jedi-themed show, poking fun of the entire team and coaching staff in the process. Coach Elders somehow was portrayed in a positive light as Yoda. The rest of the coaches were lampooned as Chewbacca (well, Eric does have a hairy back), a storm trooper (Dennis), and as a pink tight wearing evil Princess (I think that was actually a character who was a mix of the sign guy and a girl though?). Ted Albert Sr. was James Earl Jonesesque in his portrayal of Darth Vader, but even his bellowing voice could not sway Coach Elders’ charges, played by moms, dads, girlfriends, and friends of the CU team, to the dark side. In the end, the Golden Eagles joined Yoda to embrace the bright side of the force.

There has been much basketball viewing, scouting, and practicing and playing. Tonight will be no different. The coaches will break down film on Mcpherson, with Elders, Graham, and Desantis trading defensive philosophies deep into the night. After dinner, we will meet as a team and watch some game film and provide a game plan. In the morning, we will have a shoot around at Branson High School in preparation for tomorrow’s Elite 8 game. Then, it will not be long until we find out if we are a Final Four team. Thanks to all the CU fans who keep cheering us to victory. Johnny’s Army is strong in Branson and at home.

- Coach Roark

Game 1 recap

Cornerstone defeated Johnson & Wales this morning in the 1st round of the NAIA D2 National Tournament. Check out the post game video for highlights and interviews.