Coach Trace Hill’s first game at Alabama Christian was a wild one. With family and friends in the stands to support him, the first year coach watched his Eagles never give up and beat Loachapoaka 60-55 in overtime.
Loachapoaka came out smoking as they connected on 8 of 9 shots from the floor in the first quarter. Sam Davidson helped keep the score close with a couple of three balls, but the visitors led 17-12 after one. In the second period, the Indians had an answer every time ACA would close the gap. Midway through the quarter Jaydon McElrath and Broderick Williams hit back to back baskets to tie the game 21-21. However, Loachapoaka finished the half on a 6-1 run to open the lead back to five points at intermission. Davidson and Connor Mark both had six at the break to lead the offense.
Like the first half, the Eagles would cut into the lead in the third period, but Loachapoaka would stretch the lead back out. With just over four minutes left in the quarter the Indians took their biggest lead at 35-28. Connor Mark and Christian Snipes scored the next five points to cut the margin to two, but the gap was four points at the end of the third, 35-39. The Indians continued to fight off ACA’s attempts to comeback in the final period. A three pointer with just over three minutes left gave the visitors a 46-40 cushion and it looked as if Alabama Christian would run out of time. Mac Moorer and Jayden Jones hit three of four free throws to cut the lead to 43-46 with 2:27 left. After the teams traded baskets Mark came up with a steal to gain possession for ACA. The offensive trip produced an AC Walters free throw to cut the lead to 46-48 with 1:08 left.
The last minute was not for the faint of heart. After an Indian score, Sam Davidson nailed a three to cut the lead to 49-50 with 35.6 seconds left. The Eagles dilemma was they still had a foul to give before free throws. Loachapoaka was able to bleed the clock to 11.2 seconds before they were sent to the charity stripe. Both free throws were good and the Eagles trailed by three with one shot left to tie it. Christian Snipes dialed long distance just left of the top of the key at the buzzer to force overtime much to the dismay of a shocked Loachapoaka bench and cheering section.
In overtime the team got on Jayden Jones’ back and he carried them the rest of the way home. The Indians scored first, but Jones responded with a bucket of his own to tie the game, 54-54. Christian Snipes gambled on defense and stole an attempted pass to the post to give ACA a chance to take the lead. Jones rebounded a missed three and was fouled with 1:22 left. The senior connected on both freebies to give the home team its first lead since 3-2 early in the contest. The Indians hit a free throw to cut the lead to a single point and got the ball back after an Eagle turnover. However, Jaydon McElrath cleaned the glass with a tough rebound and got the ball to Jones who was fouled and hit two more free throws. Jones closed it out with two more with 7.1 seconds left for a 60-55 triumph.
Jayden Jones led the team with 15 points, including all eight of the team’s points in overtime, and 12 rebounds. Connor Mark finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four steals while Sam Davidson and Christian Snipes both had nine points in the victory.
Alabama Christian will play in the Larry Chapman Foundation Tip Off Classic at MA next week. The Eagles first game will be against Pike Road on Monday, November 25th.