From Coach Strickland: This year our team has been led by this group of six seniors who all bring different gifts to our team on and off the court.  We have been blessed to see the ways that they have grown since their freshman year and even since the beginning of the season!  They have shown so much compassion, competitiveness, grit, and a genuine love for each other and for their teammates that carries over when they are on the court.   We are eager to continue the season with them into the postseason and then excited to see them take their gifts and abilities into the next chapter of their lives and impact those around them for Christ!

This is what their teammates shared about each of them.

Flavia Karungi

Parents Anastase Nzabonimpa and Janesta Mukandemezo
Flavia played basketball all four years along with volleyball for 1. She is thankful for the best friends she made on the team, for the consistent laughter and joy the team brings to her, and for the connections she has been able to make with the girls and growing together not only as basketball players but also as people. She is thankful for Dixon pushing her and her teammates to go strong even when they’re tired and to always do hard things better. But the most important thing, she is super thankful for Mrs. LaRue’s cupcakes! She is planning on attending college at Wayne State University where she will study social sciences or nursing to become a traveling nurse. Flavia favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10 which says “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”

Katelyn LaRue

Parents: Ryan and Tammy LaRue
Katelyn has played basketball, soccer, and cross-country for all 4 years of high school, along with 2 years of track. She is thankful for all the Sunday nights shooting in the gym with her dad and all the encouragement, advice, and cupcakes from her mom. She is also thankful for the many bonds she’s been able to build and grow throughout the past 4 years with her teammates. She says a special thanks to Coach Fellows for coaching her favorite part of practice — the shooting drills, to Coach Paul for being her biggest critic and supporter at the same time, and to Coach Strickland for lightening the mood by laughing and making jokes in all the intense moments. Katelyn plans to attend Calvin University to play basketball and study sports psychology. Her favorite bible verse is Exodus 14:14, which says “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Alexia Meeuwsen

Parents Susan and Mike Meeuwsen
Alexia has played basketball for 4 years besides her year of injury and tennis for 1 year. She is thankful for the amazing support system around her of her family and friends. She is thankful that she has gotten to grow and be stretched during this basketball season. Alexia is truly grateful for the friendships that have come because of basketball and she loves these people so much. Alexia is also thankful to her coaches and Dixon for pushing her to work hard and make our team great. Alexia plans to attend Hope College next fall and will be majoring in Biology/Pre-PA to become a physician’s assistant. Alexia's favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 which says this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Pace Rickard

Parents: Rob and Polly Rickard
Pace has been playing basketball most of her life with this year being her second year at Grand Rapids Christian. Pace is thankful for her teammates, family, and coaches throughout the years. Pace will be attending Rice University in the fall to continue her basketball career and study business. Pace’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 10:12 which says “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”

Hannah Sall

Parents: Bill and Karan Sall 
Hannah has played basketball at Grand Rapids Christian all 4 years of high school. Hannah is thankful for Olivia Thomas and her willingness to always drive her around. She is also thankful for her parents and the time they have given by coming to almost all her games and always supporting her. Hannah would also like to thank all of her coaches and the way they have pushed her to be a better basketball player and person. Finally, Hannah is thankful for Mrs. LaRue and her amazing cupcakes. Hannah plans to attend Calvin University in the fall where she will continue to play basketball and pursue a major in exercise physiology. Hannah’s favorite Bible verse is John 1:5 which says, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” 

Lydia Sall

Parents: Bill and Karen Sall
Lydia has been active in the basketball community all four years of her high school career and will continue to play at Calvin University with a major in Graphic design. She is thankful for her teammates over the years and the friends she got from basketball. She is also thankful for her coaches and parents who have pushed her on and off the court to become the best player and person she can be. Also, she is thankful for Mrs. LaRue’s cupcakes she provides. Her favorite bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”