Size matters not in Apple Valley Christian’s giant victory

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It was only a few years ago that Apple Valley Christian was a boys’ basketball power. Starting last year, however, the Warriors were bumped up two divisions from V-AA to IV-AA, so instead of facing schools their own size (about 115 students), they’re often up against those with enrollments over 2,500.

Predictably, not a single team from the Agape League won a playoff game last year. So it was a huge deal when Apple Valley Christian scored one for the little guys by edging Arrowhead Christian Academy, 46-45, Wednesday night in the first round of the playoffs. True, Arrowhead’s enrollment is only about 400, but that’s still almost four times bigger than tiny Apple Valley Christian.

‘This was a huge win for us,’ said Apple Valley Christian Coach Rick Huff, who plans to retire after 21 years as the Warriors’ coach. ‘We were blessed tonight.’

It certainly seemed like divine intervention when Sam Singery banked in a prayer from half court to beat the third-quarter buzzer and give the Warriors a 37-30 lead. Mark Mettias sank the game-winning free throw with four seconds left as the 13th-seeded Warriors won their 19th straight game. But can they slay another Goliath Friday in fourth-seeded St. Margaret’s?

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image from http://www.fotosearch.com/