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Calvin trounces Hope in 74-70 thriller
by Mike Roorda
Sports Editor
FILE PHOTO
Senior Jeremy Veenstra soars up to the hoop over the head of Hope Center Don Overbeek.
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Dan Gable, an Olympic gold medal wrestler, once said something along the lines of, “When one person thinks they’re going to lose, then they’re going to lose. It’s when two people show up and both of them know that they can win that you know you’re going to get to watch a dogfight.”
Better words couldn’t be found to describe what fans present at the Fieldhouse were able to witness on Saturday afternoon. While a snowstorm raged on the outside, a bitter rivalry ignited both the court and the passion of fans present and across the country as they watched on satellite television.
In the end, Calvin alumni and students alike were treated to a 74-70 win over longtime rival Hope College. The statistics themselves speak to the close nature of the entirety of the game. Neither team ever held a lead of more than six points. The game was frozen in a tie five times, and the score wrecked havoc on both schools’ blood pressure as the lead changed a total of 13 times.
Don Overbeek, a senior for the Flying Dutchmen, was the first one to put some points on the board with a layup that snuck in just seconds into the game. When the score had reached the 6-0 mark a few minutes later, Jeremy Veenstra, a senior for the Knights, responded in form by nailing a three to put the Knights on the board. From then on out the rest of the first half stayed fairly tight and well fought, and the fans began to see what a rollercoaster ride they were in for.
The first half showcased steady ball handling and solid performances from both teams. A memorable moment came for Hope with 8:39 left in the first half when Overbeek put his height to good use and slammed home a dunk to break out of a 19-19 tie. That lead was then broken when Calvin freshman Jeremy Burgin sank his second three of the game off of an assist from Veenstra. Burgin’s talent and consistency from the three would prove to be key throughout the duration of the game.
What excitement that existed in the first half of the game was multiplied exponentially during the second half. Both teams left their benches expecting to take the other to the cleaners and the result was an all-out battle for who would come out on top.
While overall team effort was commendable enough, certain players more than carried their weight and rose above the already impressive crowd. Burgin’s performance in particular was one to behold. As he amazed the crowd with his deadly three point accuracy. I’m sure Hope’s bench scratched their heads and wondered what to make of the previously non-threatening freshman who had rapidly become a force to be reckoned with. Burgin ended the game with his three point game at 4-4. To maintain your composure in a game like Saturday’s is enough of a task, but to do it in front of a sell-out crowd and as a freshman playing in the biggest game of your career thus far, is nothing short of remarkable.
Commenting on his team’s overall strong three point performance Coach Vande Streek said,
“A three point shot may only be worth one more point than a two-point but it also is the kind of shot that can really get the crowd excited and the momentum back on your side.” Freshman Joel Hoekstra deserves a hearty slap on the back for also putting up a solid performance and pooling a total of eight points for the Knights.
Calvin’s team anchor Veenstra proved yet again what a versatile and consistent force he is on the court. Veenstra amassed 25 points and nine rebounds with a single block to round things out. He put up a 7-8 free throw record for the game and edged into the fifth place highest scorer for Calvin overall. However, Veenstra’s amazing poise, determination and drive were probably best showcased during the last few seconds of the game.
With 25 seconds left in the game, the Knights hung onto the lead by their teeth, with the score standing at 71-70. After a timeout, the Flying Dutchmen did a phenomenal job of funneling the ball to Hope sophomore Travis Spaman who stood unguarded to the right of Hope’s basket inside the three. The result however was a merciful miss that just barely rimmed out and was quickly retrieved by Veenstra. Overbeek quickly fouled Veenstra and put him on the free throw line in front of 4,500 breathless fans with a one point lead and 18 seconds left on the game clock. Then with quiet determination and little fanfare, Veenstra proceeded to firmly nail both of his free throw shots to the wall and gave Calvin the additional 73-70 edge. Such performance under overwhelming conditions falls far beyond the normal scope of expectation. The final point also came of off a free throw from Veenstra.
After the game Veenstra said, “Once you get a couple in, you get confident and then it just kinda flows out of your hands.”
Chris Prins, a Calvin junior, pulled off a clutch play in the final minutes of the game to pull the Knights ahead 69-67. With 1:29 left in the game, he nailed a 15-foot jumper right on the heels of a huge three shot from Hope freshman Jeff Carlson, who had tied things at 67. After the game Vande Streek said, “I can’t say enough about that kid. He battled through some things earlier in the game and kept his focus to the end.” Chris went 0 for 3 in fieldgoals during the first half and had a turnover before he finally put two free throws through the net to break out of the slump.
Kevin Broene, a junior for the Knights, managed to play a solid game of ball as well securing a game total of 11 points. Twenty-four hours before game time Broene had been confined to crutches with ankle problems, but he managed to rehab it enough to remain effective during the game.
Calvin’s victory on Saturday hoisted their record at home to 6-0 and was the seventh in the last eight tries against Hope with the last of the losses occurring at Calvin last season. The Knights also now lead the rivalry over the Flying Dutchmen 78-72, with Saturday’s game marking the 150th game to have been played between the two feuding teams. Calvin’s record climbed to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA with Hope dropping down to 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA. The Knights now trail only Albion in the league standings.
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