The Product of Diligence

For the men of Messiah, the second week of September tested the virtue of individual commitment. Workouts through June and July focused solely on September's impending preseason. Now standing strong with a 4-2 December record, the Falcons are looking to build on their early season efforts. Their success comes from a summer of focused training. After arriving on campus, the level of commitment needed would undergo profound expansion. A standard routine of running and weight lifting immediately heightened into a pattern of running, pool workouts, captain's practices, open gyms and bike workouts: "The hardest was probably the beginning of preseason and adjusting your body to the every day demands," says freshman forward Derek Mosley.

For more than two months, thoughts of welcoming Eastern University into Brubaker Auditorium provided profound motivation for practices and individual training sessions. Consequently, the Falcons' introduction would not disappoint. Three of Messiah's five starters broke the double-digit scoring barrier on November 18th, the season opener, igniting a come-from-behind victory over the visiting Eagles. The overwhelming talent developed by the men of Messiah was beginning to shine through; the following four weeks would foretell a season of success.

The graduation of guard Darryl Brown and his 12.0 points per game last year, however, forced the Falcons to rebuild around a new set of starters. It did not take long for his successors to make themselves known. Through six regular-season games, senior Jamie Yoder and freshman Chris Yoder are averaging 17.3 and 12.3 points per game, respectively; senior guard Kyle Snyder is leading the way after the shot, collecting nearly 10 rebounds per game. Clearly, this team is well-rounded and full of talent.

After scoring 11 of the final 12 points to overcome Eastern University, the Falcons brought their early success to nearby Gettysburg College for November's Days Inn Tip-Off Tournament. The hometown Bullets were unable to match Jamie Yoder's 25 points in the first round; a trip to the championship game against Wittenberg left Messiah in unfamiliar territory, however, leaving Gettysburg with a 61-66 loss.

The Falcons were able to walk away focused on the positive aspects of their play. Three days later, hosting Lancaster Bible College, the men of Messiah again posted an impressive offensive performance. On this day, though, it was Chris Yoder who found his scoring stride first, finishing with a season-high 23 points.

The second game in a three-game homestead yielded nearly identical results. Entertaining out-of-conference rival York College, all five of the Falcons starters scored in double figures, coasting to a 77-69 victory. During the game, Messiah never trailed. The Falcons final game in Grantham, however, accepted another loss. Despite recording a quintet of double-digit scorers, Albright College took advantage of second-chance opportunities and buried the favored Falcons, 58-69.

Before hosting the Messiah College Hampton Inn tournament on December 11th, the Falcons will have a second opportunity to climb up the ranks of the Commonwealth Conference when they visit rival Elizabethtown this weekend. The men in blue spilt two meetings with the Blue Jays in 2008. With just under three quarters of the season left to play, the Falcons of Messiah College will continue to trek toward unparalleled triumph. When they do, they can thank their preseason diligence and willpower.