HPCA boys dominate opener
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
HIGH POINT – High Point Christian started off its season on a strong note.
The Cougars scored the first eight points of the game, quickly led by double digits in the first quarter and steadily pulled away to beat the Forsyth Home Educators 91-51 in nonconference boys basketball Tuesday at HPCA.
In the girls game, Saint Mary’s used an 8-0 run during the first quarter to lead by 10 and held off HPCA – which played better in the second half – 48-25.
“Like a lot of first games, there were some good things and some bad things,” said Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper, whose 11-man roster features just three returners from last year’s varsity team. “It was nice to finally compete against someone other than ourselves.
“Of course, yesterday we had our first real practice with some football players. So, we’re kind of incorporating them into the mix and trying to get ready on the run. But I think there were a lot of positives to build on, and we’ll look at film at see what the negatives were as well.”
Landon Sutton scored 27 points, including 17 in the second quarter alone, to lead HPCA (1-0), which led 21-4 after one quarter and 48-24 at halftime. KJ Garrett added 15 points, followed by Brycen Thomas with nine points and Levi Curlee with eight points.
The Cougars hit two 3-pointers and a transition layup to lead 8-0 with 4:44 left in the first. Their defense forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter and 27 for the game as they got out in transition particularly well and pushed their lead to as large as 25 in the first half.
“We have a big focus on energy this year,” said Sutton, who made five 3-pointers. “That’s the main thing, and we want everyone to bring energy. We did a well with our on-ball defense and our help-side defense was pretty solid too.
“It was great,” he said of the start. “We prepared pretty well – our coaches got us prepared. We’ve been working hard in practice for the last few weeks. We just got the football guys back, but everything’s going well so far.”
HPCA’s lead got to 36 at 77-41 at the end of the third and peaked at 42 in the final two minutes. It will next play in the Phenom National Showcase on Friday at 5 p.m. against Liberty Heights and Saturday against Trinity Christian at 7:30 p.m.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” Cooper said, “especially as we get more comfortable with each other and our roles and what we’re trying to do offensively. So, I think we really have an opportunity to really surprise people.”
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
HIGH POINT – High Point Christian started off its season on a strong note.
The Cougars scored the first eight points of the game, quickly led by double digits in the first quarter and steadily pulled away to beat the Forsyth Home Educators 91-51 in nonconference boys basketball Tuesday at HPCA.
In the girls game, Saint Mary’s used an 8-0 run during the first quarter to lead by 10 and held off HPCA – which played better in the second half – 48-25.
“Like a lot of first games, there were some good things and some bad things,” said Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper, whose 11-man roster features just three returners from last year’s varsity team. “It was nice to finally compete against someone other than ourselves.
“Of course, yesterday we had our first real practice with some football players. So, we’re kind of incorporating them into the mix and trying to get ready on the run. But I think there were a lot of positives to build on, and we’ll look at film at see what the negatives were as well.”
Landon Sutton scored 27 points, including 17 in the second quarter alone, to lead HPCA (1-0), which led 21-4 after one quarter and 48-24 at halftime. KJ Garrett added 15 points, followed by Brycen Thomas with nine points and Levi Curlee with eight points.
The Cougars hit two 3-pointers and a transition layup to lead 8-0 with 4:44 left in the first. Their defense forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter and 27 for the game as they got out in transition particularly well and pushed their lead to as large as 25 in the first half.
“We have a big focus on energy this year,” said Sutton, who made five 3-pointers. “That’s the main thing, and we want everyone to bring energy. We did a well with our on-ball defense and our help-side defense was pretty solid too.
“It was great,” he said of the start. “We prepared pretty well – our coaches got us prepared. We’ve been working hard in practice for the last few weeks. We just got the football guys back, but everything’s going well so far.”
HPCA’s lead got to 36 at 77-41 at the end of the third and peaked at 42 in the final two minutes. It will next play in the Phenom National Showcase on Friday at 5 p.m. against Liberty Heights and Saturday against Trinity Christian at 7:30 p.m.
“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” Cooper said, “especially as we get more comfortable with each other and our roles and what we’re trying to do offensively. So, I think we really have an opportunity to really surprise people.”
