Charlotte Country Day outlasts Metrolina Christian 68-64
Charlotte Country Day proved it can focus on mental toughness in a close game.
The Buccaneers outlasted Metrolina Christian 68-64 in the opening round of the Buccaneer Classic at Country Day Friday by overcoming a sluggish start and determined opponent. Country Day (6-4) trailed 36-28 at halftime, but clawed back into contention in the third quarter and made enough big plays to earn the win.
“We’ve been talking about being mentally tough,” Buccaneers coach Dwayne Cherry said. “Eight points down at the half and I was very proud of the way we cut it to two at the end of the third quarter and eventually took the lead in the fourth.”
Country Day guard Gordon Cory, who led all scorers with 23 points, kept the Bucs afloat with 13 in the first half, followed by forward Triston Miller, who scored 11 of his 17 points after intermission. Each scored five points in the fourth quarter, in which Country Day outscored Metrolina Christian (3-10) 18-12. The Warriors closed to 65-64 on a pair of Malcolm Wade free throws with a minute left, but Country Day responded with a Christien Williams free throw and a Miller basket to seal the outcome.
“That’s actually our first close game this year,” Cherry said. “All of our games have been wins by double-digits and so have our losses, so that’s the first time we had a game come down to the final two or three possessions.”
Emeka Nwankwo paced Metrolina Christian with 20 points, followed by Wade with 14 and Kyle Kiser’s 11.
Queens Grant beat Hickory Christian 64-59 in the early game behind Patrick Tape and Jace Weir, who each scored 14 points. The fourth quarter included four ties and before Queens Grant went on an 11-6 rally to close. Stephen Sawyer scored six of his eight points in the fourth to boost Queens Grant, including 4-of-6 free throws on the final three possessions. Hickory Christian’s Noah Hewitt tallied 20 points to lead all scorers while Casey Broome chipped in 16.
Charlotte Country Day proved it can focus on mental toughness in a close game.
The Buccaneers outlasted Metrolina Christian 68-64 in the opening round of the Buccaneer Classic at Country Day Friday by overcoming a sluggish start and determined opponent. Country Day (6-4) trailed 36-28 at halftime, but clawed back into contention in the third quarter and made enough big plays to earn the win.
“We’ve been talking about being mentally tough,” Buccaneers coach Dwayne Cherry said. “Eight points down at the half and I was very proud of the way we cut it to two at the end of the third quarter and eventually took the lead in the fourth.”
Country Day guard Gordon Cory, who led all scorers with 23 points, kept the Bucs afloat with 13 in the first half, followed by forward Triston Miller, who scored 11 of his 17 points after intermission. Each scored five points in the fourth quarter, in which Country Day outscored Metrolina Christian (3-10) 18-12. The Warriors closed to 65-64 on a pair of Malcolm Wade free throws with a minute left, but Country Day responded with a Christien Williams free throw and a Miller basket to seal the outcome.
“That’s actually our first close game this year,” Cherry said. “All of our games have been wins by double-digits and so have our losses, so that’s the first time we had a game come down to the final two or three possessions.”
Emeka Nwankwo paced Metrolina Christian with 20 points, followed by Wade with 14 and Kyle Kiser’s 11.
Queens Grant beat Hickory Christian 64-59 in the early game behind Patrick Tape and Jace Weir, who each scored 14 points. The fourth quarter included four ties and before Queens Grant went on an 11-6 rally to close. Stephen Sawyer scored six of his eight points in the fourth to boost Queens Grant, including 4-of-6 free throws on the final three possessions. Hickory Christian’s Noah Hewitt tallied 20 points to lead all scorers while Casey Broome chipped in 16.
