Buzzer beater equals big win for Greenies
ARDEN - Christ School wants to again be regarded as one of the best programs in NCISAA 3-A basketball.
Friday will help, big-time.
Senior forward Coleman High scored undoubtedly the biggest field goal of his career so far – a buzzer beater that allowed the Greenies to nip nationally-ranked High Point Wesleyan Christian, 78-76.
Wesleyan Christian (5-1) was previously-undefeated and sixth in the most recent national rankings from MaxPreps. But the Trojans trailed 58-49 entering the fourth quarter on Friday and were burned by three Christ School players who reached double figures. Damon Harge led the way with a team-high 21 points, followed by Western Carolina University recruit Matt Halvorsen (14) and Morgan McKay (13).
“It was a competitive game between two very competitive teams, and no moment proved too big for us,” Greenies coach Scott Willard said.
“The environment was definitely to our advantage with our fans and our student section. They spurred us on to the win. We think we belong, regardless of whether we won or lost tonight. We’ve put together a national schedule with five teams from the top-30 in the country. On any given night, we feel like we can be competitive.”
Christ School is a six-time NCISAA 3-A champion, but it has been a few years since the Greenies have truly been in the title picture. Since Wesleyan Christian is also a 3-A team, Friday bodes well for Christ School (6-2) when it comes to February’s state tournament.
Halvorsen connected on four 3-pointers. Harge dished out seven assists, which was the same number of rebounds collected by McKay.
In his second season in charge, Willard has a lineup with seven seniors – Halvorsen, High, McKay, Drew Johnson, Justin Rhode, Will Fleming and Seth Scott.
Christ School 78, Wesleyan Christian 76
Christ School 15 16 27 20 — 78
Wesleyan Christian 11 22 16 27 — 76
Christ School
Damon Harge 21, Justin Rhode 2, William Fleming 6, Kojack Thompson 4, Matt Halvorsen 14, Morgan McKay 13, Giir Ring 8, Coleman High 8, Justice Ajogbor 2.
Wesleyan Christian
David Caraher 14, Drew Greene 4, Ian Steere 18, Jaylen Hoard 30, Khyrie Thompson 10.
Rebounds: CS, McKay 7.
Assists: CS, Harge 7.
Records: Christ School 6-2, Wesleyan Christian 5-1.
ARDEN - Christ School wants to again be regarded as one of the best programs in NCISAA 3-A basketball.
Friday will help, big-time.
Senior forward Coleman High scored undoubtedly the biggest field goal of his career so far – a buzzer beater that allowed the Greenies to nip nationally-ranked High Point Wesleyan Christian, 78-76.
Wesleyan Christian (5-1) was previously-undefeated and sixth in the most recent national rankings from MaxPreps. But the Trojans trailed 58-49 entering the fourth quarter on Friday and were burned by three Christ School players who reached double figures. Damon Harge led the way with a team-high 21 points, followed by Western Carolina University recruit Matt Halvorsen (14) and Morgan McKay (13).
“It was a competitive game between two very competitive teams, and no moment proved too big for us,” Greenies coach Scott Willard said.
“The environment was definitely to our advantage with our fans and our student section. They spurred us on to the win. We think we belong, regardless of whether we won or lost tonight. We’ve put together a national schedule with five teams from the top-30 in the country. On any given night, we feel like we can be competitive.”
Christ School is a six-time NCISAA 3-A champion, but it has been a few years since the Greenies have truly been in the title picture. Since Wesleyan Christian is also a 3-A team, Friday bodes well for Christ School (6-2) when it comes to February’s state tournament.
Halvorsen connected on four 3-pointers. Harge dished out seven assists, which was the same number of rebounds collected by McKay.
In his second season in charge, Willard has a lineup with seven seniors – Halvorsen, High, McKay, Drew Johnson, Justin Rhode, Will Fleming and Seth Scott.
Christ School 78, Wesleyan Christian 76
Christ School 15 16 27 20 — 78
Wesleyan Christian 11 22 16 27 — 76
Christ School
Damon Harge 21, Justin Rhode 2, William Fleming 6, Kojack Thompson 4, Matt Halvorsen 14, Morgan McKay 13, Giir Ring 8, Coleman High 8, Justice Ajogbor 2.
Wesleyan Christian
David Caraher 14, Drew Greene 4, Ian Steere 18, Jaylen Hoard 30, Khyrie Thompson 10.
Rebounds: CS, McKay 7.
Assists: CS, Harge 7.
Records: Christ School 6-2, Wesleyan Christian 5-1.
