CFS tops Dawson Springs to open 2021-2022 season

Elijah Grigg (4) gets a shot off against Dawson Springs in the Eagles win in Tuesday’s season opener. Photo/Stepheni Bivin

CFS lost just one senior off of last year’s successful 19-9 squad and will re-enter the 4th District this season behind a program that has come a long way under the direction of Head Coach Tyler Ryan who enters his sixth season.

Ryan said in comments last season after the announcement, “From the day I began coaching at Christian Fellowship, my goal was to help build a competitive basketball program and I know Coach (Trevor) Jackson shares that goal as well”

Ryan said even though they have come a long way, they still have a ways to go and are headed in the right direction with growing middle school and elementary programs.

The Eagles had signature wins last season over St. Mary, Hickman County and Ballard Memorial and lost by 11 points in each of their final two games against Graves County and Marshall County.

CFS was led in the win over Dawson Spring by junior Andrew Dunning with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Dunning finished last season ranked 25th in the state in free throws with 82 of 97 attempts. As a team, CFS ranked 37th in the 2020-2021 season in free throws with 382 of 532.

Senior Isaac Hovekamp finished with 18 points for the Eagles and was 8-of-10 at the free throw line in Tuesday’s opener. Elijah Grigg, an eighth grader, had 13 points and senior Luke Grigg added five points along with eight rebounds.

Dawson Springs was led by Rett Nieters with 14 points and 13 rebounds and Dilyn Skinner with 13 points. It was the second loss for Dawson Springs who opened with an 85-53 loss to Webster County.

CFS will play at Fulton County on Friday and at home on Saturday in a noon game against Foundation Christian Academy.

CFS                             23   12    6   19  –  60
Dawson Springs   10   14    8   20  –  52

CFS: Dunning 24, Hovekamp 18, E. Grigg 13, L. Grigg 5
Dawson Springs: Nieters 14, Skinner 13, Plunkette 9, Blue 9, Johnston 7
CFS: Total FG 20/60, 3 PT 6/21 (Dunning 5), FT 14/27 (Hovekamp 8/10), REB 35 (Dunning 13, L. Grigg 8)
Dawson Springs: Total FG 18/47, 3 PT 8/25 (Plunkette 3, Blue 3), FT 8/13 (Skinner 4/5), REB 34 (Nieters 13, Blue 9)

Andrew Dunning (5) in their final game of the season last year against Marshall County, led the Eagles over Dawson Springs with 24 points. CFS will compete in the 4th District this season for the first time since the 2004-2005 season.