Alabama Christian learned a valuable lesson as it traveled to very rural Alabama Thursday night. If you are going to play in Podunk, you better bring your own trainer. The Eagles had two girls leave the game with injuries and one boy in the second game with no one to attend to them. We are still waiting for someone from Thorsby to get a trainer or be concerned.
Fortunately, the girls were able to overcome their injuries and win the contest. ACA (5-1) outscored the hosts 15-0 in the first period and it looked as if the game would be a laugher. It took the Rebels almost 90 seconds to even get a shot off against the pressure defense. When ACA stretched the lead to 26-5 with about two minutes left in the half everyone started packing their things up because this game was over. Thorsby didn’t get the memo though and went on a 10-2 run to close the half. In a game they had no business being in, the Rebels only trailed by thirteen at the break.
Katelyn Sutton scored seven of the team’s first nine points in the second half to increase the lead to twenty-one points, 37-16. Then the offense went cold over the final five minutes of the third as they made only one free throw in the stretch. Once again, Thorsby finished a quarter strong and cut the margin to 38-26 after three. The margin stayed around ten for the fourth period as ACA survived with a 48-35 victory.
Katelyn Sutton was the game’s leading scorer with 16 points and six steals. Jaide Newkirk scored nine points with three steals while Sam Burgess finished with six points and six rebounds. A’Kirra McElveen led the team with ten rebounds and five assists.
The boys game did not go the way of the Eagles. Although ACA (4-2) seemed the more talented team, they never seemed to adjust to the officials and did not drive to the basket to pick up fouls. Thorsby did take advantage and and scored 17 points from the free throw line as compared to eight for ACA. The Eagles had a tough night from outside the arc as they were 4 for 26 until they hit their last two in the final 30 seconds of an already decided game.
Thorsby took a one point lead at the end of the first quarter, but Christian Snipes scored to start the second to give the lead back to ACA. The Eagles would keep the lead until 4:26 left in the third when the Rebels hit two freebies for a 29-27 lead. The home team would never trail again from that point. Thorsby managed to pull away late in the opening Area game for both teams.
Christian Snipes led the team with 13 points followed closely by Mac Moorer with 12 and Jayden jones with 11. Jones and Broderick Williams led the team with five rebounds apiece as Jones also led the team with four steals.
Both Alabama Christian squads are back at it Friday night at Autauga Academy.