Basketball Teams Look to Build on Last Season’s Successes

With fall sports wrapping up their seasons, the basketball season lies just around the corner. Both the men's and women's teams had winning records last year, with the women going 13-5 and the men going 10-8. With a packed schedule beginning this Tuesday, November 15, both teams are aiming to build on — and exceed — last season's successes. 

For the men's team, 2021-22 was their first winning season since the year 2004, when current athletic director Patrick Quest was in his early playing days at Christendom. For the women, it was their first winning season since 2012. The women's basketball team returns many key players from last year's squad, including senior and captain Kate Walz, as well as sophomores Catherine Thomas, Miranda Keller, and Regina Bonvissuto. 

Thomas was the leading scorer on last year's team and a 1st Team USCAA All-American as a freshman. Also returning to the team will be juniors Lili Speier and Annie Lauderback, along with sophomore Bridget McCaughey. The Lady Crusaders have 21 games scheduled for this season, including matchups against Mary Baldwin, Penn State York, Bryn Athyn, and Apprentice. The Lady Crusaders open their season on the road against Patrick Henry on November 15, followed by their first home game against Penn State York on November 22. 

The men's basketball team, after only losing one senior, has a very strong returning core as well. That includes seniors Joe Dotson and Dominic Smith, juniors John Paul Vander Woude, Andrew Heisler, and Peter Ethridge, and sophomore John Kennedy. Dotson, Smith, Vander Woude, and Heisler will be serving as captains this season. 

The Crusaders have brought in 7 new incredibly talented players to round out this team, including a talented freshman class of 5. The men's team, like the women's, have 21 games scheduled this season, with key matchups against Mary Baldwin, McDaniel, Penn State York, and Apprentice. The Crusaders open up the season traveling to Purcellville, Virginia, to take on Patrick Henry, and will play their first home game against Crown College from Tennessee on that Friday, November 18. 

Both teams will also play in the second annual Jingle Jam game on December 7. It will be a men's/women's double header against Frederick Community College. With a strong returning squad and lots of new talent, the Crusaders will be playing some must-see basketball this season. 

For more information, including full schedules and rosters, visit christendomathletics.com.