KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2024-25 Bluejay Men's Basketball season came to a close on Saturday evening as the TC men fell to Avila in Kansas City. Tabor entered the contest fresh off a close loss on the road at rival Bethel on Wednesday, while Avila was coming off a win at home over York.
 
Saturday marked the end of a season that should be remembered for much more than the record compiled. In his first season, Head Coach Josh Roach has worked to repair and re-establish a new culture, one built on Tabor's own values, one that the Tabor College community and Hillsboro as a whole should be proud of. Coach Roach's ideals have been on display all season, as he and his assistants, Mike Gombos and Ethan Gager have poured into their players, helping develop them into responsible young men. 
 
Kalep Crane put the Bluejays on the board first, igniting a back-and-forth battle throughout the first half between the two teams. The Eagles led by as many as eight points with just under four minutes remaining in the half, but Tabor never quit fighting and gave themselves the chance to get even closer. Kreeland Avery made a huge three, bringing the Bluejays within two at the halftime break, 37-35.
 
Kam Kaniper gave Tabor the lead at the beginning of the second half, draining one of his signature threes. Avila regained the lead with 15:11 on the clock, a lead that they would not give up for the remainder of the contest. The Bluejays gave their all, but eventually fell, 83-71.
 
Crane led the way for the Bluejays with 29 points, while Kaniper followed with 16, and James Shoenfelt added 11 points of his own. Zach Hiebert led the team on the boards with six, while Crane and Langston Taylor each snagged two steals and Kaniper added two blocks.
 
The Bluejays end their season with an overall record of 3-24 and a KCAC record of 2-20. Aside from the record, there are so many good things that took place this season: Head Coach Josh Roach earning his first win as a head coach, Kalep Crane eclipsing the 1000 point mark in his career, Crane earning his spot on the single-game scoring list, and so many others. 
 
This season may be different from others in Tabor history sure, but those who decide to give up on the team after one season of adversity are missing the point. There will always be adversity, there are always going to be things that go wrong, but there has not yet been a team in Bluejay history that has overcome the types of adversity that this team has faced. The culture has been established, and it is stronger than it has been in recent memory.
 
The wins will come, but Rome wasn't built in a day. The new era of Bluejay Men's Basketball is here.
 
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.
 
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).