Alabama Christian earned a much needed Area win as they defended their home court with a 70-59 defeat of Dallas County. The contest was tight through the first three quarters, but the Eagles took control in the fourth and wore the Hornets down. Only five players scored on the night, but four were in double figures in a well balanced attack.
Dallas County jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but a Connor Mark basket cut the lead to a deuce. On the next possession, Jayden Jones had a steal and layup to tie the game. The defensive play got Jones going as he scored the team’s next seven points as he hit his first four shots from the field. Dallas County outscored ACA 16-8 over the second half of the quarter to open a 23-18 lead after one. The Eagles stayed close in the second, but could never make a serious run at the lead until late. The momentum started to swing in the final minute of the half as Alabama Christian finished on a 6-0 run as Mark scored once and Sam Davidson hit two shots to make the score 32-34 at the break.
ACA outscored the visitors 13-4 to take a 45-38 lead midway through the third. Four different players scored in the run punctuated by a Sam Davidson long ball to open up the seven point lead. The Hornets responded and brought the game back to even after three as the game was tied 46-46. The Eagles saved their best for last as they outplayed Dallas County over the final eight minutes of the game. ACA scored eight quick points as Mac Moorer hit a three followed by a Christian Snipes two and a Jayden Jones three in the first minute of the period. Dallas County made one last run at the lead as they cut the lead to three points with just over three minutes to play. The Eagles did not panic and outscored the Hornets 10-2 down the stretch for the 70-59 win.
Christian Snipes led the offense with 22 points, 18 in the second half, with five rebounds. Jayden Jones had 18 points, a team high eight rebounds, and four assists. Mac Moorer finished with 15 points and six rebounds while Sam Davidson had 10 points and five rebounds.
The girls game had much less intrigue than the boys did. Dallas County was late arriving and were not allowed any warm up time. The Lady Hornets came straight out of the locker room and right to the tip off. Honestly, it probably didn’t matter as Dallas County was greatly over matched in the contest. ACA led 18-3 after one and the rout was on. Jaide Newkirk’s nine points paced the offense in the first. The other Newkirk sparked the offense in the second quarter as Adalynn scored eleven in the period to help lead the Eagles to a 40-9 lead at the half.
Because of the lopsided nature of the game, it was decided the entire second half would have a running clock. ACA blanked Dallas County in the third, 15-0 as the lead grew to 55-9. The fourth quarter was much of the same as the Lady eagles cruised to a 67-12 victory. Seven different players scored in the second half.
Adalynn Newkirk led the team with 15 points and added four rebounds. Katelyn Sutton stuffed the box score with 12 points, nine steals, six assists, and five rebounds Jaide Newkirk had 12 points and six rebounds while Izzy Warrick finished with 10 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
ACA will have the weekend off and will resume Area play on Tuesday, January 14, as they host St James.