Patriots, Hurricanes split
By McLeod Brown
Wilmington StarNews Correspondent
- Returning only two main contributors from last year’s team that lost in the NCCSA 2A state final, Wilmington Christian Academy boys’ basketball coach Craig Tucker knew his team would face some growing pains early in the season with so many moving pieces entering the fold.
Tuesday’s game should help push them in the right direction.
After entering halftime down by one to rival Cape Fear Academy, the Patriots came out firing in the second half, finding their stroke around the court to pull ahead of the Hurricanes and win 55-49.
The Patriots had been bullied by CFA’s William Coverdale inside in the first half, forcing them to resort to find their touch from around the arc in the final two frames. Senior point guard Chris Karras poured in 10 of 14 points in the second half to pace the home team, consistently driving the ball in the paint at the visitors.
David Puskas pulled WCA even with the Hurricanes at 43-43 with his jumper at the 3:16 mark of the fourth quarter. Jordan Holloway then gave the Patriots (2-5, 0-1) the lead less than a minute later with his two free throws.
Coverdale led Cape Fear Academy (2-1) with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. His presence in the middle forced the smaller-sized Patriots to take advantage of their perimeter ability around the edges.
“He’s huge and changes the game,” Tucker said. “He’s a big kid, has great footwork, and if you give him any room around the rim he makes you pay for it. He has a soft touch around the basket. I was really proud of my guys for battling and keeping him from completely taking over the game.”
Sophomore point guard Grant Reed added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Hurricanes, who fell into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots an advantage in forcing contact. The home team went 8-for-13 from the charity stripe in the final frame.
Puskas finished with five points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Austin Tart led the Patriots with 17 points.
Earning a victory over a rival is never easy. With theirs on Tuesday, Wilmington Christian is hopeful they’ll be able to ride that momentum into the rest of the season.
“It’s almost a brand new team,” Tucker said. “I have two kids that really got any amount of playing time last year, but I’m getting good leadership from those two (Karras and Tart)… I’m going to have fun coaching this team. I don’t know how far we’re going to go, but I’m going to have fun coaching them. They’re a great group of kids.”
Girls - Cape Fear Academy 48, Wilmington Christian Academy 45
The Cape Fear Academy girls' basketball team roared back in the second half to continue their dominance over the Patriots, winning 48-45.
The last time Wilmington Christian won a game in the series was in 2012.
Trailing 24-20 at the half, the Hurricanes used a 17-8 third quarter advantage to surge past the visitors.
Chloe Kernan led Cape Fear with 29 points.
By McLeod Brown
Wilmington StarNews Correspondent
- Returning only two main contributors from last year’s team that lost in the NCCSA 2A state final, Wilmington Christian Academy boys’ basketball coach Craig Tucker knew his team would face some growing pains early in the season with so many moving pieces entering the fold.
Tuesday’s game should help push them in the right direction.
After entering halftime down by one to rival Cape Fear Academy, the Patriots came out firing in the second half, finding their stroke around the court to pull ahead of the Hurricanes and win 55-49.
The Patriots had been bullied by CFA’s William Coverdale inside in the first half, forcing them to resort to find their touch from around the arc in the final two frames. Senior point guard Chris Karras poured in 10 of 14 points in the second half to pace the home team, consistently driving the ball in the paint at the visitors.
David Puskas pulled WCA even with the Hurricanes at 43-43 with his jumper at the 3:16 mark of the fourth quarter. Jordan Holloway then gave the Patriots (2-5, 0-1) the lead less than a minute later with his two free throws.
Coverdale led Cape Fear Academy (2-1) with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. His presence in the middle forced the smaller-sized Patriots to take advantage of their perimeter ability around the edges.
“He’s huge and changes the game,” Tucker said. “He’s a big kid, has great footwork, and if you give him any room around the rim he makes you pay for it. He has a soft touch around the basket. I was really proud of my guys for battling and keeping him from completely taking over the game.”
Sophomore point guard Grant Reed added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Hurricanes, who fell into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots an advantage in forcing contact. The home team went 8-for-13 from the charity stripe in the final frame.
Puskas finished with five points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Austin Tart led the Patriots with 17 points.
Earning a victory over a rival is never easy. With theirs on Tuesday, Wilmington Christian is hopeful they’ll be able to ride that momentum into the rest of the season.
“It’s almost a brand new team,” Tucker said. “I have two kids that really got any amount of playing time last year, but I’m getting good leadership from those two (Karras and Tart)… I’m going to have fun coaching this team. I don’t know how far we’re going to go, but I’m going to have fun coaching them. They’re a great group of kids.”
Girls - Cape Fear Academy 48, Wilmington Christian Academy 45
The Cape Fear Academy girls' basketball team roared back in the second half to continue their dominance over the Patriots, winning 48-45.
The last time Wilmington Christian won a game in the series was in 2012.
Trailing 24-20 at the half, the Hurricanes used a 17-8 third quarter advantage to surge past the visitors.
Chloe Kernan led Cape Fear with 29 points.