By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Annually in high school sports, we are greeted with a mythical national champion by several media publications. Imagine if high schools got together once a year to decide a real national champion.
Enter the 17th Annual National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships, held from Mar. 10-15 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Not many people know about Homeschool basketball. Over 300 teams ranging from places such as California, Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, and Wisconsin descend on Oklahoma’s biggest city in order to receive national bragging rights. In all, 19 states are represented.
The NCHBC is based out of Edmond, Okla., and is run by Tim and Rob Flatt. The tournament features 10 different boys and girls divisions covering five different age group classifications ranging from Boys and Girls 10-year olds all the way to the 18-year old division. In the 18-year old boys division alone, there are 10 separate classes.
Participants must be homeschooled for at least 51 percent of their schooling to be eligible to participate. If players were removed from a public or private school for disciplinary reasons, they must wait one year to be eligible to participate in the NCHBC. All players must also have a 2.0 grade point average on a four point scale to be allowed to play.
Homeschool basketball has produced its share of Division I players. Gardner-Webb forward Thomas Sanders scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the now infamous upset over Kentucky in November. Sanders played his prep ball at Houston HCYA.
Houston HCYA also produced Oral Robert freshman Corrie Hester. Hester has played in 17 games this season for the Golden Eagles. Kansas State freshman Shalin Spani came from the Kansas City Metro Academy. THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas) guard Whitney Williams has signed a letter of intent to attend Iowa State University for the 2008-09 season.
Shalin Spani’s sister, Taber, currently plays for Kansas City Metro Academy. Her college options include Tennessee and Connecticut among 100 Division I schools seeking her services at the next level. Spani is a 6-foot-1 junior and can do it all, including a deadly three-point shooting touch. Taber also has another sister, sophomore Tanis, who was named a second team All-American.
Oklahoma City Storm, for example, plays teams from all over Oklahoma to build its résumé towards its ultimate goal, winning the national title. The Storm, which features 6-6 freshman sensation Rex Farmer, defeated Oklahoma Class 4A semifinalist Star Spencer this past year. Star Spencer was considered one of the best teams in Oklahoma regardless of classification. That proves that these kids can play. Tim Flatt is doubles as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Storm.
Farmer has received press coverage from the Oklahoman for his stellar play after averaging 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four blocks per game this past season. Farmer is considered to be one of the brightest young talents in the state and has a bright future ahead.
The Farmer-led Storm were attempting to return to the pinnacle of Homeschool hoops as national champions, a title it held from 2000-2003 as part of four-straight 18 year-old titles. Oklahoma City’s run ended in the semifinals of the Boys 18 Division I Class 6A semifinals with a 53-41 loss to Cincinnati (Ohio) Landmark Eagles.
On Mar. 12, the NCHBC held a showcase event. The event included an all-star game, a three-point shootout, and a slam dunk contest. It also honored the NCHBC All-Americans. The all-star game featured the first and second team All-Americans and was held at the beautiful Sawyer Center on the campus of Southern Nazarene University in Bethany.
The boys All-American list was led by unanimous choice Jesse Sanders of HCYA (Houston, Texas). Nate Santlemann (Oklahoma City Storm, Okla.), Joel Morris (Crestwood Academy, Ill.), Peter Jackson and Eric Head (Cincinnati Landmark Eagles, Ohio) along with Sanders’ teammate Josh Decker rounded out the boys list.
For the girls All-Americans, three THESA (Fort Worth, Texas) players earned the honor led by the Big XII-bound Williams. Holly Burt and Anna Parish joined Williams along with Elizabeth Arnold (San Antonio FEAST, Texas), Molly Brewster (Kansas City East Lions, Mo.) and Taber Spani.
On Mar. 15, the boys and girls varsity teams (18-year old boys and girls) held their Varsity national championship games at the Sawyer Center. In the girl’s final, the Iowa State-bound Williams led THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas) to the title with a 74-62 victory over Spani and the Metro Academy Mavericks (Kansas City, Mo.). For the boys, HCYA Warriors (Houston, Texas) claimed the title with a 71-64 victory over Landmark.
For more information, check out the NCHBC website.
To contact Tim or Rob Flatt:
NCHBC
7631 N.W. 192nd St.
Edmond, Okla. 73003
Phone: 405-831-4159
Fax: 405-330-7829
Email: tim@homeschoolbasketball.com or rob@homeschoolbasketball.com
2008 NCHBC National Champions
Boys 18
Division I Class 6A: HYSA Warriors-Black (Houston, Texas)
Division I Class 5A: MHEA Eagles (Memphis, Tenn.)
Division I Class 4A: North Atlanta Christian Flight (Atlanta, Ga.)
Division I Class 3A: Rockford Fire (Rockford, Ill.)
Division II Class A: Noble/Whitney Warriors (Columbia City, Ind.)
Division II Class B: South Central Knights (Eagle, Wis.)
Division II Class C: THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas)
Division II Class D: Weatherford Express (Weatherford, Texas)
Division III Class A: Northeast Warriors (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Division III Class B: PTHSS Warriors (Fort Worth, Texas)
Boys 16
Class 6A: HCYA Warriors- Green (Houston, Texas)
Class 5A: THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas)
Class 4A: Cincinnati (Ohio) Landmark E
Class 3A: Team USA
Class 2A: Wichita (Kan.) Defenders
Boys 14
Class 6A: Dallas HSAA- Blue (Dallas, Tex.)
Class 5A: Illinois Crusaders (Big Rock, Ill.)
Class 4A: Abilene (Texas) BCHE Hawks
Class 3A: Team USA- Gold
Class 2A: Lakeshore (Wis.) Thunder
Boys 12
Class 6A: Dallas (Texas) HSAA Blue Angels- Blue
Class 5A: Tulsa NOAH (Okla.)
Class 4A: Team USA- Red
Boys 10
Class 6A: Oklahoma City (Okla.) Storm
Class 5A: Team USA- White
Girls 18
Class 6A: THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas)
Class 5A: FEAST Patriots (San Antonio, Tex.)
Class 4A: Huntington Eagles (Huntington, Ind.)
Class 3A: Team USA- White
Class 2A: Kansas City North Knights (Kansas City, Mo.)
Class A: Valencia Wildcats (Los Lunas, N.M.)
Girls 16
Class 6A: HCYA Warriors- Nix (Houston, Texas)
Class 5A: Faulkner County Falcons (Conway, Ark.)
Class 4A: Team USA- White
Girls 14
Class 6A: Tulsa NOAH (Tulsa, Okla.)
Class 5A: THESA Riders (Fort Worth, Texas)
Class 4A: Lake Houston Conquerors (Houston/Kingwood, Texas)
Girls 12
Class 6A: Cincinnati (Ohio) Landmark E
Class 5A: Team USA- Red
Class 4A: Dallas (Texas) HSAA Blue Angels
Girls 10
Class 6A: HYSA Warriors- Huff (Houston, Texas)
2007-08 Boys All-Americans
1st Team
Josh Decker, HCYA (Houston, Texas)
Eric Head, Landmark Eagles (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Peter Jackson, Landmark Eagles (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Joel Morris, Crestwood Cavalry (Ill.)
Jesse Sanders, HCYA (Houston, Texas)
Nate Santlemann, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.)
2nd and 3rd Team
Aaron Santlemann, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.); Aaron Hendrix, CHSA Wolverines (Houston, Texas); Aaron Krejci, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.); Aaron Lewis, Lakeshore Thunder (Racine, Wis.);; Alex Nelson, Iowa Chargers (New Providence, Ia.); Andrew Daniels, Huntington Eagles (Ind.); Ben Kirby, Stillwater Trinity (Okla.); Caleb Buche, Kansas City Metro Academy (Mo.); Colin Featherston, Huntington Eagles (Ind.); Daniel Crouse, Butternut (Wis.); Daniel Kelly, Nashville Warriors (Tenn.); David Glenn, Omaha Roadrunners (Neb.); Eric Hamilton, St Johns (Mich.);; Evan Zieschany, HCYA (Houston, Texas); Ian Corella Christian Heritage (Norco, Calif.); James McDonald, HCYA (Houston, Texas); James Swearingin, AAHE Eagles (Arlington, Texas); Jarell English, Dallas Thunder (Texas); Jarett Boss, Tulsa NOAH (Okla.); Jedidiah Landis, Michinana Christian Educators (Sturgis, Mich.); John-Caleb Sanders, HCYA (Houston, Texas); Jordan Martin, HSAA (Dallas, Texas); Josh Brown, MHEA Eagles (Memphis, Tenn.); Josiah Ludwick, Chicago Thunder (Ill.); Justin Johnson, Tulsa NOAH (Okla.); Kelvin Bailey, Zion Saints (Fort Worth, Tex.); Kyle Williams, St Johns (Mich.); Mark Walton, SATCH (Conroe, Texas); R.J. Hallebach, Illinois Crusaders (Big Rock, Ill.); Rex Farmer, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.); Sakari Clow, Knoxville Ambassadors (Tenn.); Spencer Hoelscher, BVCHEA Mustangs (Bryan/College Station, Texas); Tyler Piercefield, Lansing Crusaders (Lansing, Mich.); Willis Norman, North Atlanta Flight (Ga.).
2007-08 Girls All-Americans
1st Team
Elizabeth Arnold, FEAST (San Antonio, Texas)
Molly Brewster, Kansas City East Lions (Mo.)
Holly Burt, THESA (Fort Worth, Texas)
Anna Parish, THESA (Fort Worth, Texas)
Taber Spani, Kansas City Metro Academy (Mo.)
Whitney Williams, THESA (Fort Worth, Texas)
2nd and 3rd Team
Abigayle Banda, Austin Royals (Texas); Alana Chung, HCYA (Houston, Texas); Andrea Ratzlaff , Tulsa NOAH (Okla.); Anna Davis, Landmark Eagles (Cincinnati, Ohio); Brittany Holmes, MHEA Eagles (Memphis, Tenn.); Chloe Farmer, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.); Elizabeth Shrader, Knoxville Ambassadors (Knoxville, Tenn.); Emily Frazier, (Houston, Texas); Heather Bechtold, HSAA (Dallas, Texas); Hope Petersen, THESA (Fort Worth, Texas); Janell Beacham, HSAA (Dallas, Texas); Jasmin Wright, Cincinnati Trailblazers (Ohio); Jessica Lane, North Atlanta Flight (Ga.) Kylie Williamson, SWMO Eagles (Springfield, Mo.); Lauren Parks, Oklahoma City Storm (Okla.); Lydia Joiner, Knoxville Ambassadors (Knoxville, Tenn.); Macy Walquist, Central MO; Rebecca Daniels, Huntington Eagles (Ind.); Sarah McLeod, HCYA (Houston, Texas); Shaylon Martinez, THESA (Fort Worth, Texas); Stacy Mammel, FEAST (San Antonio, Texas); Taly Balciunas, CHSA (Houston, Texas); Tanis Spani, Kansas City Metro Academy (Mo.); Whitney Schwab, Kansas City Metro Academy (Mo.).