Cougars score big in dual wins
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HIGH POINT — High Point Christian wasn’t going to let Asheville School dictate what it was going to do.
The Cougars at times struggled against the Blues’ defense. But ultimately they got to the basket, scored points in waves and pulled away to win 62-37 in nonconference girls basketball Friday at HPCA.
In the boys game, HPCA quickly built a 20-point lead in the first quarter and cruised past Shining Light 88-56.
“It wasn’t our best, but we got the job done,” Cougars girls coach Brittany Drew said. “We’re just trying to start games better, and we wanted to switch into some defenses we’ve been working on in practice. It was good to put them into a game-like scenario.
“I was proud of Nadiya Hairston — she’s been an effective leader for us in these last eight games. And Tiir’s energy just elevates everyone else. I’m proud of them. And then to have Kennedy Powell being pretty versatile too.”
Nadiya Hairston scored 16 points to lead the Cougars (8-0), ranked No. 36 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 1 in the state overall. Tiir Nyok added 12 points, followed by Kennedy Powell with nine points, and Georgia Walls and Caroline Smith with eight points apiece.
“I feel like we played pretty well,” said Hairston, a sophomore guard who transferred in from South Stokes. “It was a good team effort.”
HPCA, which never trailed, led by six in the first quarter and used an 11-0 run early in the second to lead by 15 three minutes in. Its defense forced misses and turnovers and its offense quickly raced up the court — scoring on five consecutive possessions. The Cougars led 28-15 into halftime.
“We’re more of a running team,” Hairston said. “So, I think that helped. They tried to slow us down, but I feel like we were able to execute and get our points.
“When you’re playing your game and not playing somebody else’s game, that makes it feel 10 times better. You’re really having fun when you’re playing your game.”
HPCA eased up early in the second half, as both teams struggled with turnovers. The Blues (1-2) inched as close as 12 before the Cougars answered with a 11-2 run to lead by 21 inside the final minute of the quarter. HPCA, playing better in the fourth, stretched its lead to 31 in the final minutes of the game.
“I know basketball’s a game of runs,” Drew said. “We just have to stop their runs. And I think being able to overcome adversity is a big thing for us. We’re going to have some tough times, and we just have to be able to push through.”
The Cougars play again today at Charlotte Christian.
- By MICHAEL LINDSAY ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
HIGH POINT — High Point Christian wasn’t going to let Asheville School dictate what it was going to do.
The Cougars at times struggled against the Blues’ defense. But ultimately they got to the basket, scored points in waves and pulled away to win 62-37 in nonconference girls basketball Friday at HPCA.
In the boys game, HPCA quickly built a 20-point lead in the first quarter and cruised past Shining Light 88-56.
“It wasn’t our best, but we got the job done,” Cougars girls coach Brittany Drew said. “We’re just trying to start games better, and we wanted to switch into some defenses we’ve been working on in practice. It was good to put them into a game-like scenario.
“I was proud of Nadiya Hairston — she’s been an effective leader for us in these last eight games. And Tiir’s energy just elevates everyone else. I’m proud of them. And then to have Kennedy Powell being pretty versatile too.”
Nadiya Hairston scored 16 points to lead the Cougars (8-0), ranked No. 36 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 1 in the state overall. Tiir Nyok added 12 points, followed by Kennedy Powell with nine points, and Georgia Walls and Caroline Smith with eight points apiece.
“I feel like we played pretty well,” said Hairston, a sophomore guard who transferred in from South Stokes. “It was a good team effort.”
HPCA, which never trailed, led by six in the first quarter and used an 11-0 run early in the second to lead by 15 three minutes in. Its defense forced misses and turnovers and its offense quickly raced up the court — scoring on five consecutive possessions. The Cougars led 28-15 into halftime.
“We’re more of a running team,” Hairston said. “So, I think that helped. They tried to slow us down, but I feel like we were able to execute and get our points.
“When you’re playing your game and not playing somebody else’s game, that makes it feel 10 times better. You’re really having fun when you’re playing your game.”
HPCA eased up early in the second half, as both teams struggled with turnovers. The Blues (1-2) inched as close as 12 before the Cougars answered with a 11-2 run to lead by 21 inside the final minute of the quarter. HPCA, playing better in the fourth, stretched its lead to 31 in the final minutes of the game.
“I know basketball’s a game of runs,” Drew said. “We just have to stop their runs. And I think being able to overcome adversity is a big thing for us. We’re going to have some tough times, and we just have to be able to push through.”
The Cougars play again today at Charlotte Christian.
