Falcons, Crusaders clash in rivalry games
By Andrew Giermak andrew@sanfordherald.com
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
SANFORD — In their first neighborhood rivalry games this basketball season, Lee Christian beat Grace Christian in the girls’ game 50-35 then Grace Christian topped the Falcons in the boys’ nightcap 65-60 Tuesday night at Lee Christian.
The Lady Falcons (6-2, 2-0) pulled away from the Lady Crusaders (5-7, 1-1) just before halftime. Lee Christian’s advantage in the paint, on both ends of the court, overcame Grace Christian as they were without their usual top scorer, guard Lara Lieckfeld.
Center Taylor Woods got the ball over and over again in the final few minutes, leading a final Lady Falcon run, and finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Freshman forward Kelyce McSwain teamed with Woods and got 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Lady Falcon play inside outpaced the Lady Crusaders, who were led by eighth-grade guard Kaleigh Wilson scoring 22 points.
The Lady Falcons started fast, and with full-court defense, which took them to a 9-2 lead with three baskets by McSwain sparking the Lady Falcons.
Grace Christian ran off the next 10 points and led 12-9 going to the second quarter.
Lee Christian picked up the defensive pressure again and the defense was so tough it led to easy offense. The Lady Falcons got a basket in the lane by McSwain, a steal seconds later and a running basket by Langston to take a 13-12 lead seconds into the second quarter.
The Lady Falcons won the second quarter 18-3 to hold a 27-15 lead at halftime.
They started the second half with another quick strike. Woods made two free throws, then a steal and break led to Emma Lodge scoring on the break for four points in about 15 seconds and a 31-15 lead.
The Lady Crusaders trimmed a lead which was more than 20 down to 11 with a little more than three minutes left.
When the Lady Falcons needed to get back to how they’d gotten the big lead, they got the ball to Woods near the hoop, or she went and got it herself hustling for rebounds. Wood turned the effort into six points to help seal the win.
Langston and Emma Grace Dubuc added six points each for the Lady Falcons.
For the Lady Crusaders, Wilson had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Jamie Cook had seven points and 13 rebounds.
Boys basketball
Grace Christian 65, Lee Christian 60
In the boys’ contest, it was the Crusaders overcoming a big night by a Falcon standout to prevail as the game came down to the last couple possessions.
