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KCU Women Win 11th National Title Save Email Print
Posted: 5:53 PM Mar 16, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:22 PM Mar 16, 2008
 Reporter: Paul Gessler
Email Address: paul.gessler@wsaz.com
24 comments
A | A | A

GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) - Kentucky Christian University has won their 11th national championship in NCCAA Division II.

The Lady Knights beat Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, 76-68, in overtime Saturday at home.

KCU was the site of the 2008 National Christian College Athletic Association women's tournament for the second time in its history.

Jennifer Swann, Kentucky Christian's only senior, hit a game-tying three-point basket as time expired in regulation to force overtime. She finished with 19 points.

"I'm just glad I got another national. That's all I wanted," Swann said.

Christen Daniels scored 23 points in the championship game and was named tournament MVP.

"I did it for Swanny really, it's her last try," Christens said. "I just did everything I could to make it happen for her."

Della Kimble scored 22 points for runner-up Hillsdale.
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Posted by: A student at KCU on Apr 26, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I wish you people would quit trashing our school. It really gets on my nerves when people look down on us because we are a Christian University.
Posted by: Spectator on Apr 9, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Excellent conclusion to a long and tiresome debate. I almost let myself get caught up in it. Very classy.
Posted by: Brent on Apr 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I can see both sides to these posts. Obviously this is a passionate topic. First, to the Lady Knights..I congratulate you on your National Title, to the fans...thanks for your loyalty, and to the critics..you have a right to your opinion. That being said...let's put this in perspective. A national title is an accomplishment on any level even though this is one of the lower levels. It means you beat every other team on YOUR level. Those who know the game know that KCU could never have this victory if they ever moved up a level, but let's not take this away from the girls. Ron will always be Ron. He's needed to check his own actions and attitude for years and the college has put up with this for whatever reason. This is how it is every year and it has become a poor reflection on KCU. The college is not perfect, never was, never will be. But there is always room for improvement. No better time than now to make changes.
Posted by: Sarah D on Apr 9, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Stop preaching?! I'm not preaching. and honestly i don't have any reason to. if this is honestly how you feel about our campus i will pray for you...our campus is doing great things...GREAT things...but don't get on here and talk about people you obviously don't know about...if you're upset with how the game was played, do us all a favor and don't come back to watch a game here....we don't need fair weather supporters. thanks
Posted by: Sara on Apr 9, 2008 at 08:40 AM
After watching the game, I would say that it was interesting and exciting to those fans and players of the ladies on that level of play, NCCAA 2.I'm sure it is also exciting to the town of Grayson, BUT to say it was the best games you have seen, is a fact that you have not been around much basketball. Did you not watch Kansas Memphis Monday night? How can you compare these girls to the Lady Vols or Stanford or Davidons or the last second 3 by WKU, or any OT or double OT game in this past NCAA tourney?I agree with you Spectator.
Posted by: Sarah on Apr 8, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I want to apologize...I was never trying to say that KCU is a horrible, pagan place. That's not at all what was meant. I was stating an opinion about how the win and parts of the game were handled. An athlete myself, I realize that celebration is part of the game. Hillsdale was hurt, and it was hard to watch how the game played out. I refuse to point out specifics...I think it's unfair. I don't know "can't stand KCU," and apologize that my words were taken as fuel for a tirade. Sarcasm never bodes well in an argument. KCU, while I would have loved to see you all knocked off, it was a great shot. And aside from some attitudes on the court, it was one of the best games I've ever seen. I said I was done earlier...now I'm done really.
Posted by: Spectator on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Stop preaching Sarah D. you are making it very clear that you have no idea what you are talking about. This has nothing to do with people being ruthless. They are being honest. This is how they view Ron and the lady Knights. You are the only one defending them.
Posted by: Sarah D on Apr 7, 2008 at 05:45 PM
It breaks my heart that you people would get on here and talk about a team of girls you obviously know very little about. What kind of Christian attitude gives you the right to get on here and steal someone's joy and excitement? What Christian attitude gives you any right to tear down a group of ladies and coaching staff that have worked hard to do as well as they do each season? What kinda attitude allows you to do that?! I refuse to let you continue to talk about my friends and sisters in Christ that way. Wow....I'm stunned that anyone has the heart to get on here and say they didn't deserve it or that someone else deserved it more than they did....I hope you know how much that hurts our girls and our fans. If you think Hillsdale was offended by the fact that they lost, how much more do you think that our girls are offended by the fact people are getting on here and talking so ruthlessly about them? Man...you all have a lot to learn....
Posted by: can't stand KCU on Apr 7, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I witnessed what you saw at the game and have never cared for Ron Arnett.KCU has a lot to learn. They should move a level in college basketball.There are many high school teams I have watched(including this year Butler High school) that could beat the snot out of KCU.They have NO idea what college basketball is about.Every high school in the top 10 in KY this year could beat them.Also,Ron is not a"Godly Christian man" that women should be looking towards for guidance. He has many issues, including anger issues. Sarah, you are not talking on deaf ears. Many people have seen and witnessed what you are talking about over the years(while winning his 11 national titles). Don't worry about it. God will take care of it and in the end Ron and the girls will have to be responsible for their actions. Although, I have to admit it's very hard to win a close game like that and not celebrate. You can't just sit back and say"sorry you lost" you are gonna wanna celebrate.Did you watch any NCAA games?
Posted by: Sarah D on Apr 7, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Alright "the dance" was a small inside joke for a bunch of friends. It was in NO WAY to poke fun at anyone, but heck any team that wins a game that was a close and as difficult as that game was has every right to be happy!! I do think there was some nasty play, but you can't say it didn't come from both sides. I would say everyone plays a lil bit dirty (trust me I saw some of the lower seeded teams playing just as tough and dirty as the two teams in the final game) but i think you need to realize NO disrespect was meant by the dance at all. I am sorry that you the other teams and Hillsdale were offended but it was never meant to have that effect. Our girls were really excited and i refuse to let you steal that thunder from them!
Posted by: Sarah on Apr 2, 2008 at 10:57 AM
It's a losing battle, I realize...I'm totally outnumbered. But I don't think that what I am portraying is jealousy. Jealousy? And please don't mistake what I am saying as declaring that KCU is a bunch of non-Christians. That never was even implied. But watch the game tape as a non-bias, out-of-state fan, and you may see some glimpses of pride. Hillsdale wasn't just upset to lose to the better team. They were hurt by the on-court actions of some of the players, and by the blatant disrespect shown by "the dance." I know...I talked to them in the hotel afterwards. I'll say this: congrats, KCU, for another championship. Seriously. And I would hope that a town would come behind their team, like all of you. But let's not put on rose-colored glasses and act like there wasn't some dirty play. I refuse to point out any certain player, but we all saw what happened out there. Maybe it was hard to see from the other side of the court... Okay...I don't really have time for this...
Posted by: Sarah on Apr 1, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Wow....okay so here is what I think. You are hardcore jealous of the fact that our girls are a wonderful team on and off the court. If you really think that just because we won and cheered and got excited makes us non-Christians, or makes us lack spiritual character, you are many shades of wrong. God doesn't say don't be proud, but he says don't let pride come in the way of your humbleness. As a very faithful fan to KCU sports, I have seen some of the greatest humility out of these players. Yeah they barely escaped a loss, but they played hard as a team and came off the court with their heads held high. Now as for people cheering against us, everyone wants to root for the underdog so let them. One can see that even with that pressure our girls rose to the occasion and brought another one home for a school with a great tradition and a great LOVE FOR CHRIST in their hearts! Plain and simple
Posted by: Sarah on Apr 1, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I don't think anyone doubts how hard KCU works. They have to work hard...everyone is gunning for them. But anyone who watched that basketball game the Knights played against Hillsdale knows that the hometown team showed little class after the win, and sometimes throughout the game. How a team conducts themselves is in direct relation to how they are coached. Ron and his girls may be hometown heroes, but there was a reason why everyone NOT from KY was cheering against them. Confidence and pride are two very different things, and I'm not so sure the win was handled in the most humble manner. It seemed to me like some salt was poured into the wound of the Hillsdale loss. Instead of dancing for the home crowd after the game, a pretty good sigh of relief should have been given, knowing they escaped a championship loss at the hands of an amazing shot by Swann and a whole lot of fouls called on Hillsdale.
Posted by: Sarah on Apr 1, 2008 at 07:05 PM
How can you tell me they played with bad sportsmanship? Honestly....I'm not bad mouthing anyone but NO team plays with complete sportsmanship at all points in the game. It is ludicrous to even think that someone should have to defend their school or their friends. If you don't know these girls then you don't have any room to discuss how you think they deserved to lose. They played with heart and with a team attitude, and they rose to the TOP! CONGRATULATIONS TO MY NUMBER 1 KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY LADY KNIGHTS!!!! I love you Young, Clark, Baldwin, Swann, Stacy, Rutherford, Wyckoff, Daniels, Brown, Reed, Hughes, Morris, Barker, Hecht, Thrasher, Haynes, Kenley, and Jentzen (manager)
Posted by: fan on Apr 1, 2008 at 01:16 PM
First off the Lady Knights worked very hard and had a very good season. They didn't just play bible schools by the way. As for the coach he is a great man and has a lot on his plate. So for him stepping up to the next level he could do it bc he loves the game and his girls. "Jennifer Swan" is a great kid and has accomplished a lot in her life. Just because someone is good doesn't mean you have to try making them look bad. I think that goes with the whole Lady knights basketball team.
Posted by: not a fan of kcu on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:46 PM
While I do believe that the KCU women's team is quite talented...the Hillsdale team deserved the National Championship simply because they played the game the right way. And, had there been different officials, there would have been a different outcome. I left the game with a bad taste in my mouth simply because of KCU's unsportsmanlike conduct (from both players and coach) throughout the game, and directly after the game. I look forward to the day that KCU gets knocked out of the National Tournament. Coach, why don't you move up a level and see how well your team plays there.
Posted by: Sarah on Mar 29, 2008 at 07:32 PM
So proud of my girls!! I don't know the other girl from hannan high school, but we are so proud of our swanny!! she's wonderful :) i love her and i'm sooooo glad to know these girls personally! they are my favorite girls and i am grateful for who they are to me
Posted by: Cindi on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:48 AM
The 'Jennifer Swan' who goes to Hannan High School is soo much better at basketball
Posted by: Ron on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:14 PM
To be the coach of this group of ladies is the ultimate coaching job in the country. They live off the court like they play on the court. They truly are a team playing "For The Lord".
Posted by: Anna on Mar 18, 2008 at 03:37 PM
What a great game and a great play by Jennifer Swan! Absolutely awesome. What a wonderful team of Christian girls the Lady Knights are. Go KCU!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 18, 2008 at 08:38 AM
That was the most exciting game I have ever seen, I was so proud of the Lady Knights nthey are a great bunch of girls.. The most exciting part of it all is to know that I have someone who is a part of KCU and someone who is going to be a part of KCU, congratulations to all of you on a great season FOR THE LORD!
Posted by: Grayson Girl on Mar 17, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Congrats Lady Knights on another National Championship. I am glad to see something nice about Grayson on here. Usually all you hear about Grayson anymore is drugs and killings.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 17, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I'm so happy for the Lady Knights! It's great to see good news coverage on the positive things going on in our community for a change.
Posted by: David on Mar 16, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I am so proud of this Lady Knights team. They are champions on and off the court. This championship game could very easily rank up there with the greatest championship games - at any level. The KCU Lady Knights have such a great tradition of rising to the top of their game and prove it every season. They certainly live out the theme of the late KCU Coach Dick Damron, "Remember Who You Are and What You Stand For." Keep your eyes on the Lady Knights, there's many more great seasons ahead.
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