Crossroads sweeps first ever matchup against Vipers
• By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2840
HENDERSON — On Friday, for the first time in history, Vance County and Crossroads Christian went head-to-head on the hardwood in both girls and boys basketball.
The Colts played host to the Vipers in a crosstown matchup, emerging victorious in both varsity contests.
Crossroads’ girls improved to 10-1 on the season with a 69-61 win, holding off a late push from Vance County. Four Colts scored in double figures, highlighting the plethora of weapons for Cammy Simmons’ squad.
Sophomore guard Elyssa Phillips continued her success, pacing the Crossroads’ offense with a game-high 22 points. Phillips connected on all four of her three-point attempts and pulled down nine rebounds.
Freshman Leanna Wimsatt added on 20 points in the win, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line, taking advantage of her five steals.
Senior Isreal Thorpe (12 points) and Abby Taylor (10 points) assisted the offensive effort to help put the Colts at double-digit victories on the season.
As a team, Crossroads shot 63% from the floor and an impressive 83% from beyond the arc.
In the nightcap, another close, competitive contest awaited in the boys’ varsity contest, as a 13-point lead for the Colts at the end of the first quarter was trimmed to just three heading into the break.
With an electric atmosphere in the crosstown matchup, the two programs delivered for an instant classic in Henderson.
After trading baskets and a back-and-forth third frame, Crossroads clung onto a 60-58 advantage with eight minutes to play.
Senior forward D’Markus Tucker and junior Ben Gladieux each converted and-one opportunities in the final frame, bringing the crowd to its feet and giving them the momentum.
Late free-throw shooting ended up being the difference-maker for the Colts, as they extended their lead to double figures in the final minutes to earn a 75-65 win over the Vipers.
Down the stretch, Crossroads strung together multiple defensive stops and used their on-ball pressure to keep the Vipers at bay.
For Vance County, senior Isreal Terry scored a team-high 18 points, shooting an efficient 73% from the field. The other Viper to score in double figures was junior Nate Durham, who tallied 16 points down low.
Both Terry and Durham finished with double-doubles, as the duo each recorded 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
Crossroads will look to improve to 10-3 on Friday, when they travel to Lee Academy in Sanford for their second conference game of the season.
Vance County returns to action on Thursday with a home contest against Falls Lake Academy.
• By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@hendersondispatch.com; 252-436-2840
HENDERSON — On Friday, for the first time in history, Vance County and Crossroads Christian went head-to-head on the hardwood in both girls and boys basketball.
The Colts played host to the Vipers in a crosstown matchup, emerging victorious in both varsity contests.
Crossroads’ girls improved to 10-1 on the season with a 69-61 win, holding off a late push from Vance County. Four Colts scored in double figures, highlighting the plethora of weapons for Cammy Simmons’ squad.
Sophomore guard Elyssa Phillips continued her success, pacing the Crossroads’ offense with a game-high 22 points. Phillips connected on all four of her three-point attempts and pulled down nine rebounds.
Freshman Leanna Wimsatt added on 20 points in the win, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line, taking advantage of her five steals.
Senior Isreal Thorpe (12 points) and Abby Taylor (10 points) assisted the offensive effort to help put the Colts at double-digit victories on the season.
As a team, Crossroads shot 63% from the floor and an impressive 83% from beyond the arc.
In the nightcap, another close, competitive contest awaited in the boys’ varsity contest, as a 13-point lead for the Colts at the end of the first quarter was trimmed to just three heading into the break.
With an electric atmosphere in the crosstown matchup, the two programs delivered for an instant classic in Henderson.
After trading baskets and a back-and-forth third frame, Crossroads clung onto a 60-58 advantage with eight minutes to play.
Senior forward D’Markus Tucker and junior Ben Gladieux each converted and-one opportunities in the final frame, bringing the crowd to its feet and giving them the momentum.
Late free-throw shooting ended up being the difference-maker for the Colts, as they extended their lead to double figures in the final minutes to earn a 75-65 win over the Vipers.
Down the stretch, Crossroads strung together multiple defensive stops and used their on-ball pressure to keep the Vipers at bay.
For Vance County, senior Isreal Terry scored a team-high 18 points, shooting an efficient 73% from the field. The other Viper to score in double figures was junior Nate Durham, who tallied 16 points down low.
Both Terry and Durham finished with double-doubles, as the duo each recorded 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
Crossroads will look to improve to 10-3 on Friday, when they travel to Lee Academy in Sanford for their second conference game of the season.
Vance County returns to action on Thursday with a home contest against Falls Lake Academy.
