ARVADA — Jobi Wall is not afraid of perfection. It’s his goal, in fact, every time the Faith Christian senior steps on the court.
Sound like every other serious basketball player in Class 3A and beyond? Perhaps. But Wall’s reasons, as well as his teammates’, swim against the mainstream.
Victories are secondary for the Eagles. Championships, too. The bigger picture looms larger and manifests itself in just about everything the Eagles do, from maintaining correct form on defense to maturing as young men.
“This year, especially, we’re just really focused on glorifying God in everything we do. . . . That’s what gives us the motivation to work hard,” Wall said Monday during practice.
The hard work resumes Friday as the Eagles (21-1), one of four No. 1 seeds in the state tournament, resume play at home against Trinidad (12-10), seeded eighth in the Steve Hill Region.
It’s all a familiar place for the perennial contenders, who are in the state tournament for the seventh consecutive season and were champions in 2002. But that’s where many of the comparisons end.
Last season was supposed to be Faith’s. With a bevy of run-and-gun scorers, the Eagles rolled into the postseason undefeated until they hit a wall called Eaton in the semifinals.
Fast-forward to this season, and the Eagles were supposed to be struggling to replace three starters while discovering a new identity.
The Eagles believe they have found something special. And it’s a group picture.
While Wall, senior forward Chase Grabau and senior guard Nick Gill have emerged as the primary scorers, the Eagles often run nine deep (starting with Stephen Dennis and Tim Yeager) and are likely to have a new hot hand in each game.
“I think once you get a team that’s all working toward that same goal, that’s something special,” said Eagles coach and principal Andrew Hasz, who believes character development trumps athletic prowess.
Wall, a 6-foot-6 power forward who can shoot a smooth 3-pointer and dribble-drive with either hand, has emerged as a versatile threat and leads the team with nearly 16 points per game. Grabau, a long and lanky small forward who can score and pass from all spots on the floor, was the Eagles’ sixth man last season and known more for his defense.
“Last year, we were kind of like the (Phoenix) Suns,” said Grabau, who played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Boulder. “We get up and down. We’d get scored on, but we could come down and score on you right away. This year, we’re more of a defensive, solid team.”
The Eagles are averaging 70.8 points this season, down from the 75.9 they were averaging at the same time last season. Defensively, they are allowing just 41.5 points compared with 45.6 last season. Ten times this season, including their past three games, the Eagles have held opponents under 40 points.
That defense, however, was burned this season by the Reds of Eaton, who handed the Eagles a 62-59 loss on Jan. 5. Eaton (20-2), which defeated Kent Denver in the state final last year, has won two straight over the Eagles since a 20-point loss to them in the 2006-07 regular season.
Does that mean Eaton has Faith’s number?
“As far as practices are going, we’re really bringing the intensity,” Gill said. “In practice, we have them in mind, but when it gets to game time it’s the team we’re playing. I think that’s going to prepare us the best, if we meet them.”
And a rematch would be just perfect for the Eagles.
Eaton, which opens with Florence (7-16), has a top seed, along with Colorado Springs Christian (19-3), which finished fourth last season. Aspen (20-2) is the final No. 1 seed and opens Friday against the Tigers of Bennett (13-9).
Heading up the No. 2 seeds is Platte Valley (18-5), which defeated Eaton during the regular season and is coming off a Class 2A football state championship.
By the numbers
5 Times the Eagles have scored 80 or more points this season.
14 Consecutive games won.
23 Fewest points allowed in a game this season (against Skyview).
913 Points allowed this season.
1,559 Points scored this season.
