Colts sweep playoff doubleheader, advance to Final Four
By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@henderson
dispatch.com; 252-436-2840
HENDERSON — After earning No. 4 seeds in the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association Tournament, Crossroads Christian swept a home playoff doubleheader on Saturday, as both varsity boys and girls basketball programs advanced to the state semifinals.
Head coach Cammy Simmons and the Colts increased their highest single-season win total in school history, knocking off Lawrence Academy, 69-26, to improve their record to 24-3 overall.
Similar to the season’s first 26 games, Crossroads was exemplary on defense, holding the Warriors to single digits in all four quarters.
Scoring 20 points in both the first and second quarter saw Colts take a 40-10 lead into the halftime break, all but securing their first Final Four appearance in program history.
In a game where Lawrence Academy held the advantage for a total of 10 seconds, Crossroads showcased their high-powered offense and why they are heralded as one of the best teams in the state.
The Colts will compete in their first ever Final Four on Tuesday, as they travel to No. 1 seed Pungo Christian Academy (23-3).
In the nightcap, Crossroads improved to a perfect 2-0 on the day as the boys’ varsity program, led by head coach Scottie Richarson, downed No. 5 seeded Ridgecroft School (22-2), 83-57, to advance to the state semifinals.
Opening up the contest on a 7-0 run, the Colts seemed prime to run away with the contest from the tip. The Rams instead had plans of their own, putting together an immediate 8-0 run, thanks in part to two three-point baskets and a breakaway layup, to take their first lead of the game.
A back and forth first quarter was capped off by junior guard Will Alston, whose floater from the right wing gave Crossroads the 14-13 lead heading into the second period.
Back-to-back triples from senior guards Shane Anthony and Sam Boyd extended the Colts’ lead to seven at 28-21. Both teams would swap buckets in the final three minutes of the half, as the No. 4 overall seed took a 36-29 advantage into the locker room.
The second half brought forth a greater intensity from Crossroads, who created a fast pace contest that led to high-percentage opportunities and open looks from beyond the arc.
Richardson’s squad doubled their lead over Ridgecroft in the third quarter at 57-43 before exploding for 26 points in the final eight minutes.
Saturday’s 26-point victory marked the 18th time this season that the Colts defeated their opponents by 20 or more points.
With the win, Crossroads will travel to No. 1 overall seed United Faith Christian Academy (30-2) on Tuesday with a spot in the state championship on the line. The two programs squared off in a non-conference contest in early January, with the Falcons emerging victorious, 100-67, on their home floor in Charlotte.
The winner will take on either No. 2 seed Northside Christian (20-14) or No. 3 seed Victory Christian Center School (14-13) on Saturday with the state title on the line at Forsyth Country Day School.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the Queen City.
By Bryant Baucom bbaucom@henderson
dispatch.com; 252-436-2840
HENDERSON — After earning No. 4 seeds in the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association Tournament, Crossroads Christian swept a home playoff doubleheader on Saturday, as both varsity boys and girls basketball programs advanced to the state semifinals.
Head coach Cammy Simmons and the Colts increased their highest single-season win total in school history, knocking off Lawrence Academy, 69-26, to improve their record to 24-3 overall.
Similar to the season’s first 26 games, Crossroads was exemplary on defense, holding the Warriors to single digits in all four quarters.
Scoring 20 points in both the first and second quarter saw Colts take a 40-10 lead into the halftime break, all but securing their first Final Four appearance in program history.
In a game where Lawrence Academy held the advantage for a total of 10 seconds, Crossroads showcased their high-powered offense and why they are heralded as one of the best teams in the state.
The Colts will compete in their first ever Final Four on Tuesday, as they travel to No. 1 seed Pungo Christian Academy (23-3).
In the nightcap, Crossroads improved to a perfect 2-0 on the day as the boys’ varsity program, led by head coach Scottie Richarson, downed No. 5 seeded Ridgecroft School (22-2), 83-57, to advance to the state semifinals.
Opening up the contest on a 7-0 run, the Colts seemed prime to run away with the contest from the tip. The Rams instead had plans of their own, putting together an immediate 8-0 run, thanks in part to two three-point baskets and a breakaway layup, to take their first lead of the game.
A back and forth first quarter was capped off by junior guard Will Alston, whose floater from the right wing gave Crossroads the 14-13 lead heading into the second period.
Back-to-back triples from senior guards Shane Anthony and Sam Boyd extended the Colts’ lead to seven at 28-21. Both teams would swap buckets in the final three minutes of the half, as the No. 4 overall seed took a 36-29 advantage into the locker room.
The second half brought forth a greater intensity from Crossroads, who created a fast pace contest that led to high-percentage opportunities and open looks from beyond the arc.
Richardson’s squad doubled their lead over Ridgecroft in the third quarter at 57-43 before exploding for 26 points in the final eight minutes.
Saturday’s 26-point victory marked the 18th time this season that the Colts defeated their opponents by 20 or more points.
With the win, Crossroads will travel to No. 1 overall seed United Faith Christian Academy (30-2) on Tuesday with a spot in the state championship on the line. The two programs squared off in a non-conference contest in early January, with the Falcons emerging victorious, 100-67, on their home floor in Charlotte.
The winner will take on either No. 2 seed Northside Christian (20-14) or No. 3 seed Victory Christian Center School (14-13) on Saturday with the state title on the line at Forsyth Country Day School.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the Queen City.
