Fulkerson, Greenies still kings of CAA
ASHEVILLE – Parking was impossible to find Friday night and seating availability inside the Nash Athletic Center wasn’t any better.
It was a perfect time for John Fulkerson and Christ School to flex their muscles in Carolinas Athletic Association basketball.
Fulkerson led four Greenies players in double figures with 23 points as they knocked off the previously-unbeaten Carolina Day boys on their home court, 100-87.
Fulkerson’s free throw with just over 12 seconds to go allowed Christ School to reach the century mark.
Matt Halvorsen added 20 points. Marquis Godwin contributed a dozen for the Greenies (5-4, 2-0), while James West had 10.
Justin Rhode, Will Fleming and Morgan McKay netted eight apiece for the defending CAA champions who have weathered a brutal early-season schedule to remain above .500.
They went 9-1 in the CAA a year ago and also won the conference tournament.
“I think we have as many as three guys on this team who used to go (to Carolina Day) and tonight was all about them,” said Fulkerson, who is a Tennessee recruit.
“We knew it was a big road game and everyone was ready to play. We’ve played such a high level of competition so far, it’s prepared us for this conference and prepared us to fight through adversity.”
In front of a standing-room only crowd, Christ School jumped out to a 47-38 halftime lead. That advantage swelled to as many as 20 points in the second half. The Greenies connected on 10 shots from 3-point range.
Tai Giger poured in a game-high 33 points for the Wildcats (10-1, 1-1). They also got 17 points from Peyton Truesdale and nine from Luke Rutherford.
Rutherford’s last 3-pointer made the score 97-87, but there were only 29.2 seconds to go at that point.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of my team,” Carolina Day coach Trip Cogburn said.
“What an awesome environment it was tonight and my kids played as hard as they could. (First-year Christ School coach Scott Willard) is doing a great job and he’s got a really talented team. Fulkerson gets all the headlines, but they’ve got a lot of kids who can play. They are so deep.”
The Greenies’ next CAA game is Monday at home against Asheville Christian Academy, while the Wildcats won’t play another conference opponent until 2016.
ASHEVILLE – Parking was impossible to find Friday night and seating availability inside the Nash Athletic Center wasn’t any better.
It was a perfect time for John Fulkerson and Christ School to flex their muscles in Carolinas Athletic Association basketball.
Fulkerson led four Greenies players in double figures with 23 points as they knocked off the previously-unbeaten Carolina Day boys on their home court, 100-87.
Fulkerson’s free throw with just over 12 seconds to go allowed Christ School to reach the century mark.
Matt Halvorsen added 20 points. Marquis Godwin contributed a dozen for the Greenies (5-4, 2-0), while James West had 10.
Justin Rhode, Will Fleming and Morgan McKay netted eight apiece for the defending CAA champions who have weathered a brutal early-season schedule to remain above .500.
They went 9-1 in the CAA a year ago and also won the conference tournament.
“I think we have as many as three guys on this team who used to go (to Carolina Day) and tonight was all about them,” said Fulkerson, who is a Tennessee recruit.
“We knew it was a big road game and everyone was ready to play. We’ve played such a high level of competition so far, it’s prepared us for this conference and prepared us to fight through adversity.”
In front of a standing-room only crowd, Christ School jumped out to a 47-38 halftime lead. That advantage swelled to as many as 20 points in the second half. The Greenies connected on 10 shots from 3-point range.
Tai Giger poured in a game-high 33 points for the Wildcats (10-1, 1-1). They also got 17 points from Peyton Truesdale and nine from Luke Rutherford.
Rutherford’s last 3-pointer made the score 97-87, but there were only 29.2 seconds to go at that point.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of my team,” Carolina Day coach Trip Cogburn said.
“What an awesome environment it was tonight and my kids played as hard as they could. (First-year Christ School coach Scott Willard) is doing a great job and he’s got a really talented team. Fulkerson gets all the headlines, but they’ve got a lot of kids who can play. They are so deep.”
The Greenies’ next CAA game is Monday at home against Asheville Christian Academy, while the Wildcats won’t play another conference opponent until 2016.
