Coastal Christian boys upset Cape Fear Academy
What a difference a week made for the Coastal Christian boys basketball team.
Cape Fear Academy blew out the Centurions on their home floor last week in a 50-33 rout. On Tuesday, Coastal Christian got revenger.
The Centurions played spectacular defense and got enough baskets down the stretch to beat the Hurricanes 43-40 and spoil Cape Fear Academy’s senior night. Skylar Davies made four clutch free throws down the stretch, and a full-court heave from Matt Kiatipis came close, but hit the rim and fell harmlessly to the floor.
“More than I’m proud of the win, I’m just as proud of how they played and how they stayed together,” said Coastal Christian head coach Craig Wheeler. “You can lose that game just as easily as you can win it, but we stayed together.”
The teams entered the final quarter tied 25-25. A three-pointer from Emmanuel Bonsu, who led CFA with 21 points, gave the Hurricanes a 31-30 lead.
That set the stage for a decisive run from the Centurions, who scored nine of the next 10 points and led 39-32 with less than two minutes remaining. Back-to-back turnovers helped Cape Fear Academy get back in it, but Davies’ free throws on top of the hole proved too much to overcome.
Chazz Banks led Coastal Christian (14-9, 2-3 Coastal Rivers) with 12 points, while Davies had 10. Banks scored eight of his points in the first half, but a dunk in the fourth quarter helped swing momentum backn into the Centurions’ favor.
“We came into the game with the mindset of do what we do best,” Banks said. “Play as a team and play together. I think we did that well tonight, and it showed.”
Cape Fear Academy’s offense was limited throughout the evening, with nobody other than Bonsu reaching double figures. Georges Lefebvre scored 20 in the Hurricanes’ win last week, but Coastal Christian held him to just five on Tuesday.
“Defense and rebounding,” said Kamron Greene, Coastal Christian senior point guard. “Coach focused on defense and getting stops... and that’s exactly what we did and came out with the win.”
The Cape Fear Academy (23-5, 3-2) loss means Fayetteville Academy clinches the conference title. The Hurricanes face the Eagles Friday, while Coastal Christian will play Harrells Christian. All four teams will meet again the following week at Harrells for the Coastal Rivers Conference Tournament.
What a difference a week made for the Coastal Christian boys basketball team.
Cape Fear Academy blew out the Centurions on their home floor last week in a 50-33 rout. On Tuesday, Coastal Christian got revenger.
The Centurions played spectacular defense and got enough baskets down the stretch to beat the Hurricanes 43-40 and spoil Cape Fear Academy’s senior night. Skylar Davies made four clutch free throws down the stretch, and a full-court heave from Matt Kiatipis came close, but hit the rim and fell harmlessly to the floor.
“More than I’m proud of the win, I’m just as proud of how they played and how they stayed together,” said Coastal Christian head coach Craig Wheeler. “You can lose that game just as easily as you can win it, but we stayed together.”
The teams entered the final quarter tied 25-25. A three-pointer from Emmanuel Bonsu, who led CFA with 21 points, gave the Hurricanes a 31-30 lead.
That set the stage for a decisive run from the Centurions, who scored nine of the next 10 points and led 39-32 with less than two minutes remaining. Back-to-back turnovers helped Cape Fear Academy get back in it, but Davies’ free throws on top of the hole proved too much to overcome.
Chazz Banks led Coastal Christian (14-9, 2-3 Coastal Rivers) with 12 points, while Davies had 10. Banks scored eight of his points in the first half, but a dunk in the fourth quarter helped swing momentum backn into the Centurions’ favor.
“We came into the game with the mindset of do what we do best,” Banks said. “Play as a team and play together. I think we did that well tonight, and it showed.”
Cape Fear Academy’s offense was limited throughout the evening, with nobody other than Bonsu reaching double figures. Georges Lefebvre scored 20 in the Hurricanes’ win last week, but Coastal Christian held him to just five on Tuesday.
“Defense and rebounding,” said Kamron Greene, Coastal Christian senior point guard. “Coach focused on defense and getting stops... and that’s exactly what we did and came out with the win.”
The Cape Fear Academy (23-5, 3-2) loss means Fayetteville Academy clinches the conference title. The Hurricanes face the Eagles Friday, while Coastal Christian will play Harrells Christian. All four teams will meet again the following week at Harrells for the Coastal Rivers Conference Tournament.
