Alabama Christian hosted 6A Wetumpka Friday night and were beaten in both varsity contests. The Lady Eagles had not played Wetumpka since 2003 and kept the game close for three quarters, but were unable to keep pace in the fourth period as the Indians pulled away for a 52-34 win. After ACA scored the first bucket of the game, Wetumpka ran off nine straight points for a seven point lead, but only scored once more the last four minutes of the period. Michaelyn Manning scored four points in the final minute of the quarter to cut the lead to 11-6 after one. Once again, the Indians stretched the lead to start the second and led 23-11 midway through the period, but like the first quarter the offense stalled and the Eagles scored the last six points of the half to trail 23-17 at intermission. In the second half, a quick bucket by Manning and a put back by Heather Ford cut the Wetumpka lead to a single basket. The quarter remained close and the Eagles trailed 33-28 heading to the fourth. Wetumpka outscored ACA 19-6 in the last period to close out the game. Manning led the offense with 15 points and five rebounds. Sarah Johnson scored eight points with four rebounds and Jaide Newkirk added four points.
Michaelyn Manning pulls up at the foul line for a jumper.
The boys game was a close affair, but the Eagles just could not get over the hump and take the lead. A tough night at the line didn’t help matters as ACA missed twenty free throws in a whistle happy game that saw 49 fouls called between the two teams. Alabama Christian trailed 18-13 after one quarter as Elijah Collins scored five points to pace the Eagles. ACA still trailed by five with five minutes left to go in the half when Jalen Clark and Hayes Hunt combined to score the last ten Eagle points of the first half to cut the Indian lead to 29-27 at the break. Wetumpka scored the first eight points of the second half to open up a ten point lead and were able to maintain at least a five point lead for the remainder of the contest. Alabama Christian made a run very late in the game as Avery Stuart scored six points in the last forty seconds, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles fell 57-51. Stuart led the Eagles with 14 points and four rebounds while Jalen Clark had 11 points and six rebounds and Hayes Hunt added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Avery Stuart battles for a loose ball against a Wetumpka defender.
Alabama Christian next plays Trinity on Tuesday night, February 2nd.