Greenies surge to first CAA win
SWANNANOA – Tuesday night was the first game back from the holiday break for Asheville Christian Academy and Christ School, and both basketball teams struggled to score early on.
The Greenies used a strong scoring run in the third quarter to take control and then withstood a Lions charge, as they went on to the 55-40 Carolinas Athletic Association win.
Seniors Will Fleming (18 points) and Matt Halvorsen (13) led the way. Halvorsen, who has signed with Western Carolina University, was solid at the free throw line late in the game. He hit five of six attempts to help seal the victory.
Christ School (12-5, 1-1) trailed 17-11 midway in the second quarter until Halverson hit a 3-pointer and later tied the game on a pair of free throws.
The Lions (5-11, 0-1) took the lead at the half when leading scorer Caleb Mills (12 points) was inserted back into the game by coach Andy Ray and proceeded to drain a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the 21-18 lead at the break. Asheville Christian had built their lead grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring inside, along with hitting a trio of long range shots.
Fleming hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the third quarter to give Christ School its first lead at 24-21.
At the half, Greenies coach Scott Willard said he stressed to his players that they needed to get the ball inside which led to a 10-2 scoring advantage in the paint in the third quarter, led by Justice Ajogbor who scored four baskets inside.
Additionally, Halvorsen sank a 3-pointer as Christ School outscored the Lions 20-7 and had built their lead to 38-28. Fleming opened the final quarter with a steal, fast break basket and completed the three-point play with the free throw to give the Greenies their largest lead at 41-28.
Asheville Christian then went on a scoring spurt, and later when the Lions made their second shot from behind the arc, they had cut the lead to 43-38 with 3:44 to play in the game. The Lions were forced to shoot from long range, but Christ School quickly built the lead back to 49-38 with strong play from Justin Rhode and Fleming.
SWANNANOA – Tuesday night was the first game back from the holiday break for Asheville Christian Academy and Christ School, and both basketball teams struggled to score early on.
The Greenies used a strong scoring run in the third quarter to take control and then withstood a Lions charge, as they went on to the 55-40 Carolinas Athletic Association win.
Seniors Will Fleming (18 points) and Matt Halvorsen (13) led the way. Halvorsen, who has signed with Western Carolina University, was solid at the free throw line late in the game. He hit five of six attempts to help seal the victory.
Christ School (12-5, 1-1) trailed 17-11 midway in the second quarter until Halverson hit a 3-pointer and later tied the game on a pair of free throws.
The Lions (5-11, 0-1) took the lead at the half when leading scorer Caleb Mills (12 points) was inserted back into the game by coach Andy Ray and proceeded to drain a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the 21-18 lead at the break. Asheville Christian had built their lead grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring inside, along with hitting a trio of long range shots.
Fleming hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the third quarter to give Christ School its first lead at 24-21.
At the half, Greenies coach Scott Willard said he stressed to his players that they needed to get the ball inside which led to a 10-2 scoring advantage in the paint in the third quarter, led by Justice Ajogbor who scored four baskets inside.
Additionally, Halvorsen sank a 3-pointer as Christ School outscored the Lions 20-7 and had built their lead to 38-28. Fleming opened the final quarter with a steal, fast break basket and completed the three-point play with the free throw to give the Greenies their largest lead at 41-28.
Asheville Christian then went on a scoring spurt, and later when the Lions made their second shot from behind the arc, they had cut the lead to 43-38 with 3:44 to play in the game. The Lions were forced to shoot from long range, but Christ School quickly built the lead back to 49-38 with strong play from Justin Rhode and Fleming.
