ILLAGE CHRISTIAN 85, CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN 29
Knights breeze to win
By Patrick Obley FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Staff writer
Village Christian had just polished off another foe Monday night as the campaign to defend its NCISAA Class 2-A state title entered the home stretch, but Jordan Ratliffe was not impressed.
“Honestly, I think we’re behind last year,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do. Last year, I think we were better defensively.
This, after the Knights crushed visiting Cape Fear Christian, 85-29.
“They’re a great team,” Eagles coach Dwight Miller said. “They won the state championship last year and I think they’re a little bit better.”
The Eagles looked like flies trapped in Village Christian’s spider web on offense. Attempts to find a lane inside often ended in a steal or a deflection. If they managed a shot, it was only one look. If it didn’t go in, the Knights typically scored three seconds later.
“We started off pressing, which is usually what we do,” Knights coach Kurt Darden said. “The guys are kind of locked in, making their assignments.”
After a slow start offensively, the Knights opened the second quarter with a 153 run that turned a 10-7 lead into a 25-10 bulge.
Early in the third quarter, the Knights embarked on a 22-1 run that pushed the lead past 40 points and activated a running clock. With backups on the floor late, the Knights rattled off a 21-2 barrage.
So, not as good as last year’s team? Really?
“If this was last year’s team, (the score) would have been a lot worse,” Ratliffe said. “I think last year’s team was way more defensive.”
Dakari Johnson led all scorers with 19 points. Ajzahn Kea came off the bench to score 15. Nassyr Daniels added 14 for the Knights, who improved to 214.
“I teach my guys, any time you’re playing any kind of game — pickup, Horse, uniform or no uniform— you need to leave it all out there,” Darden said. “That’s how we play basketball.”
Cape Fear (14-13) was led by Milos Galogaza’s 10 points.
Staff writer Patrick Obley can be reached at obleyp@fayobserver.com or 486-3519
Village Christian 85, Cape Fear Christian 29
Cape Fear Christian 7 10 7 5—29 Village Christian 10 29 25 21—85 CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN — Milos Galogaza 10, Grigg 2, Hudson 3, Sepulveda 5, Fisher 6, Ross 3.
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN — Ellis 7, Ratliffe 8, Quansha 8, Ajzahn Kea 15, Wilson 4, Nassyr Daniels 14, Dakari Johnson 19, Haymer 2, Simmons 8.
• Fouled out: None
• 3-point goals: CF — Galogaza 2, Sepulveda, Ross. VC — Ellis, Kea 3, Johnson 3, Simmons.
• Records: Cape Fear Christian 14-13, Village Christian 20-4
Knights breeze to win
By Patrick Obley FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
Staff writer
Village Christian had just polished off another foe Monday night as the campaign to defend its NCISAA Class 2-A state title entered the home stretch, but Jordan Ratliffe was not impressed.
“Honestly, I think we’re behind last year,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do. Last year, I think we were better defensively.
This, after the Knights crushed visiting Cape Fear Christian, 85-29.
“They’re a great team,” Eagles coach Dwight Miller said. “They won the state championship last year and I think they’re a little bit better.”
The Eagles looked like flies trapped in Village Christian’s spider web on offense. Attempts to find a lane inside often ended in a steal or a deflection. If they managed a shot, it was only one look. If it didn’t go in, the Knights typically scored three seconds later.
“We started off pressing, which is usually what we do,” Knights coach Kurt Darden said. “The guys are kind of locked in, making their assignments.”
After a slow start offensively, the Knights opened the second quarter with a 153 run that turned a 10-7 lead into a 25-10 bulge.
Early in the third quarter, the Knights embarked on a 22-1 run that pushed the lead past 40 points and activated a running clock. With backups on the floor late, the Knights rattled off a 21-2 barrage.
So, not as good as last year’s team? Really?
“If this was last year’s team, (the score) would have been a lot worse,” Ratliffe said. “I think last year’s team was way more defensive.”
Dakari Johnson led all scorers with 19 points. Ajzahn Kea came off the bench to score 15. Nassyr Daniels added 14 for the Knights, who improved to 214.
“I teach my guys, any time you’re playing any kind of game — pickup, Horse, uniform or no uniform— you need to leave it all out there,” Darden said. “That’s how we play basketball.”
Cape Fear (14-13) was led by Milos Galogaza’s 10 points.
Staff writer Patrick Obley can be reached at obleyp@fayobserver.com or 486-3519
Village Christian 85, Cape Fear Christian 29
Cape Fear Christian 7 10 7 5—29 Village Christian 10 29 25 21—85 CAPE FEAR CHRISTIAN — Milos Galogaza 10, Grigg 2, Hudson 3, Sepulveda 5, Fisher 6, Ross 3.
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN — Ellis 7, Ratliffe 8, Quansha 8, Ajzahn Kea 15, Wilson 4, Nassyr Daniels 14, Dakari Johnson 19, Haymer 2, Simmons 8.
• Fouled out: None
• 3-point goals: CF — Galogaza 2, Sepulveda, Ross. VC — Ellis, Kea 3, Johnson 3, Simmons.
• Records: Cape Fear Christian 14-13, Village Christian 20-4
