HPCA sweeps crosstown rival Westchester
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer Jan 20, 2023 Updated 5 hrs ago
HIGH POINT – High Point Christian finally found a rhythm and pulled away to beat crosstown rival Westchester Country Day.
The Cougars scored the final nine points of the first half to lead by double digits, pushed their lead past 20 in the third and defeated the Wildcats 48-29 in PTAC boys basketball in front of a sizable crowd Friday evening at Westchester.
In the girls game, HPCA, capitalizing on its size and experience, raced to a 63-12 victory.
“Our defense was definitely ahead of our offense tonight,” Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper said. “We’ve got to clean up some things on offense, but I liked our defense a lot.
“We had a tough shooting night last night at Concord (Academy), and I think that carried over a little early. Then we started to see a couple go through. Of course, that’s what you need as far as confidence goes as a shooter.”
Toot Clay and Taft Johnston each scored 10 points to lead HPCA (13-11 overall, 2-2 conference), ranked No. 96 in the state overall and No. 8 among NCISAA 3A teams. Adam Grier added seven points as eight players scored.
With both teams struggling early, the score remained close midway through the second – with the Cougars leading by four with three minutes left. But HPCA, which scored on five straight possessions, closed the half on a run to lead 24-11 into halftime.
The Cougars – who outscored the Wildcats 22-5 over a nine-minute span – then pulled away early in the third to lead by 21 with two minutes left in the quarter. HPCA shot 47% from the field for the game, including 58% in the third, while Westchester finished at 29% with 15 turnovers.
“We played defense,” said Clay, a freshman. “We got deflections, ran the floor and got easy layups. It felt good because, even though we still played hard, it wasn’t as stressful.”
Jalen Umstead scored eight points for the Wildcats (7-8, 0-4), who are 2A members of the PTAC.
“We were outhustled, we were outplayed,” Westchester coach Brook Patterson said. “We played very tentative. We had trouble catching the ball early. We went from attacking to being attacked.
“We played so hard and so well Tuesday (against Calvary Day). We really felt confident and we just struggled being who we’ve been. I’m sure a lot of credit goes to them for putting us in spots where we weren’t comfortable tonight.”
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer Jan 20, 2023 Updated 5 hrs ago
HIGH POINT – High Point Christian finally found a rhythm and pulled away to beat crosstown rival Westchester Country Day.
The Cougars scored the final nine points of the first half to lead by double digits, pushed their lead past 20 in the third and defeated the Wildcats 48-29 in PTAC boys basketball in front of a sizable crowd Friday evening at Westchester.
In the girls game, HPCA, capitalizing on its size and experience, raced to a 63-12 victory.
“Our defense was definitely ahead of our offense tonight,” Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper said. “We’ve got to clean up some things on offense, but I liked our defense a lot.
“We had a tough shooting night last night at Concord (Academy), and I think that carried over a little early. Then we started to see a couple go through. Of course, that’s what you need as far as confidence goes as a shooter.”
Toot Clay and Taft Johnston each scored 10 points to lead HPCA (13-11 overall, 2-2 conference), ranked No. 96 in the state overall and No. 8 among NCISAA 3A teams. Adam Grier added seven points as eight players scored.
With both teams struggling early, the score remained close midway through the second – with the Cougars leading by four with three minutes left. But HPCA, which scored on five straight possessions, closed the half on a run to lead 24-11 into halftime.
The Cougars – who outscored the Wildcats 22-5 over a nine-minute span – then pulled away early in the third to lead by 21 with two minutes left in the quarter. HPCA shot 47% from the field for the game, including 58% in the third, while Westchester finished at 29% with 15 turnovers.
“We played defense,” said Clay, a freshman. “We got deflections, ran the floor and got easy layups. It felt good because, even though we still played hard, it wasn’t as stressful.”
Jalen Umstead scored eight points for the Wildcats (7-8, 0-4), who are 2A members of the PTAC.
“We were outhustled, we were outplayed,” Westchester coach Brook Patterson said. “We played very tentative. We had trouble catching the ball early. We went from attacking to being attacked.
“We played so hard and so well Tuesday (against Calvary Day). We really felt confident and we just struggled being who we’ve been. I’m sure a lot of credit goes to them for putting us in spots where we weren’t comfortable tonight.”