Lady Chargers: Front: Holly Fahling; 2nd Row: Grace Alverson, Elizabeth Jahns, Cameron Medwayosh, Hannah Hofstra, Faith Watson, Autumn Watson 3rd Row: Sierra Medwayosh, Zoe Roesner, Torie Wierda, Molly Wortz, Brin Calkins, Devin Slocum, Kaela Bucholz, Gabby Fahling Back Row: Coach Steve Washington

The Lady Chargers continued to improve on their season by competing in the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) Basketball Tournament. The ladies took on the host WMAES Eagles in the first round and jumped out to an early lead and never looked back while charging to a 31-10 victory. It was CTA’s relentless pressure that enabled the team to force 36 turnovers in the game. Faith Watson led the Lady Chargers with eight points, freshman Hannah Hofstra threw in an additional six points. All of this was supported by senior point guard Holly Fahling who had five points, four rebounds and four assists.

In the Championship games, CTA faced the Grand Rapids Thunder for the the Tournament title.

The Lady Chargers played an aggressive player-to-player defense. Stifling pressure frustrated the Thunder team forcing 32 turnovers which created numerous fast break opportunities for the Lady Chargers’ 37-13. Holly Fahling stepped it up and scored 14 points with five steals and four rebounds. Faith Watson threw in an additional 11 points with Junior Autumn Watson cleaning up the boards with 8 rebounds. All players were able to get into both games and first year players Kaela Bucholtz, Elizabeth Jahns and Molly Wortz also logged points in the tournament. “It is great when when can play good team defense and get all 14 girls significant court time,” stated coach Steven Washington. “All of our players had the opportunity to contribute to a good team win.” With the wins, the Lady Chargers are 5-7 for the year and play this Friday, February 17th at Grace Bible College hosting the Wellspring Academy Wolves.

CTA Boys Basketball Team: Front (L to R): Casen Armstrong, Bailey Hawkins, James Hofstra, Jarod Bouma, Collin Bishop, Mason Dood, James Bishop. Back (L to R): Dawson Armstrong, Isaiah Piskun, Coach Scott Bultman, Charles Wortz, Brandon Beck, Luke Hubbard, John Wortz, Jackson Bowers

In their only home games of the year, the Creative Technologies Academy boys and girls basketball teams came up with great performances, winning both games against West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES).

In the first game, the Lady Chargers battled throughout, trailing by as many as 8 in the fourth quarter. Senior Aubrey Slocum and junior Holly Fahling came up with big baskets to give the Chargers their first lead of the quarter with only two minutes remaining. Stifling defense by 8th graders Hannah Hofstra and Faith Watson shut down WMAES, and the Lady Chargers went on to win their final home game at Grace Bible College, 34-30.

CTA Girls Basketball Team: Front (L to R): Gabriela Fahling, Bridget Lass, Zoe Lehman, Faith Watson, Holly Fahling, Autumn Watson, Cameron Medwayosh, Molly Wortz. Back (L to R): Assistant Coach Danielle Davies, Hannah Hofstra, Kaleigh Keech, Aubrey Slocum, Brianne Calkins, Shauna Russell, Tori Wierda, Sierra Medwayosh, Devin Slocum, Coach Steve Washington

It was the last home game of the careers of Slocum, Kaleigh Keech, and Shauna Russell. Many tears were shed, but it was exactly the way the seniors had hoped to go out, with many hugs passed around after the game. The girls’ team showed great improvement throughout the season, ending with a 4-10 record.

The CTA boys team came out with great intensity after the senior festivities had ended. Junior Brandon Beck and sophomore Dawson Armstrong got started early, and the Chargers never looked back, holding a comfortable double digit lead throughout the majority of the game, winning by 15.

The Chargers varsity team finished with their best record in four years, at 8-6. With no seniors on the team, and growth and maturity expected over the next year, the Chargers could be an extremely dangerous team come next November. Congratulations on a great season, Chargers!

Annual CTA Blood Drive

The annual CTA Blood Drive will take place Thursday, March 10, from 1-6:45 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, log onto www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: CTACHARGERS) or call Jennifer August at 616-799-0559.

Come donate blood and register with Delete Blood Cancer to be a part of the bone marrow donor registry at the same time.

Chargers Earn Consolation Victory Over Academy of Environmental Science

After being defeated in the first round of the West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) tournament, the Creative Technologies Academy Boy’s Basketball team answered strongly in the consolation game, defeating the host team with a final score of 65-44.

WMAES scored 8 of the first 11 points of the game. The Chargers had an answer however, with brothers Dawson (13) and Casen (6) Armstrong combining for 19 of the Chargers’ 26 first quarter points. The Chargers controlled the rest of the game, never relinquishing their double-digit lead.

Junior Brandon Beck and the aforementioned Dawson Armstrong tied for the team high with 24 points a piece.

“I felt we were ready to execute our full court press for extended minutes for the first time this season, and execute it we did,” said CTA coach Scott Bultman.

The Chargers defense with its full court press wore down WMAES, which led to multiple fast breaks in the second half.

“With the Environmental Academy defense tiring from our fast break and press, we were able to pound the ball down low in the second half to our captain Brandon Beck, who finished well around the basket,” continued Bultman.

NBA – Never Been Absent 

At CTA, we believe there is no substitute for being in the classroom with our amazing teachers; we feel it is vital for the growth of our students that they attend school as many days as possible. The NBA (Never Been Absent) Program was developed to promote school attendance at both an individual and class level.

The attendance incentive program is for those in Kindergarten through fifth grade.

The first grade class had an average of 95% attendance for the month of January!  As a reward, the students received a classroom picnic lunch with Jet’s Pizza and a movie!  The first graders have earned the attendance award on two other occasions this year!

We are very proud of the fact that students continue to show up every day to work hard and learn!

Tuesday’s win over West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) evened the Chargers record on the season to 2-2.
The boy’s varsity team from Creative Technologies Academy executed a near-perfect defensive game as they held a competitive WMEAS team scoreless in the first, third, and fourth quarters. After jumping out to a 16-0 lead after the first quarter, the Chargers were challenged by WMAES as they played even with the Chargers, matching score for score to end the first half with a 27-10 Charger lead. Unfortunately for WMEAS, their scoring run would end there, as CTA charged on to a 52-10 victory.
A big reason for the successful night was the 33 combined offensive and defensive rebounds, as well as getting a team total of 18 steals.  Junior, Austin Armstrong lead statistically for the Chargers with 6 steals, 6 rebounds, and 13 points.  It was a great performance from the junior, but the Chargers victory was a team effort. Twelve of the fourteen Chargers scored at least two points to lead to balanced scoring.
The CTA boys hope to improve their record as they head to Fremont to face the Fremont Home School Mustangs for one last game before taking a break for the holidays. For a complete CTA Charger’s schedule, please visit the athletics page at www.ctaschool.com.