ACA played two of its oldest rivals this week as St James and Trinity visited the Eagle gymnasium. Alabama Christian has played St James and Trinity 199 times each in varsity basketball over the years. The Eagles have only played Catholic and MA more often in their history.
The week started with St James and the Trojans dominated both games for easy victories. In the boy’s game, St James pounded the post and ACA had no answer underneath. The Trojans dominated the inside game as they outscored the Eagles by twenty-six points in the paint in the 55-25 victory. The twenty-five points scored by Alabama Christian was the lowest total since 2012. ACA trailed (score) at the end of the first period, but were outscored (16-1?) in the second and let the game slip away from them. The lone point of the quarter was scored just twenty seconds before halftime. The Trojans widened the gap in the second half for the easy thirty-point win. Avery Stuart led the team with seven points and four rebounds while Gerrod Green added five points. Isaac Warrick had a team-high six rebounds.
In the girl’s game, St James only had two offensive options, but both players scored at will to help the Lady Trojans to the 62-37 victory. As in past seasons, the Eagles had trouble with the half court pressure used by St James and never got into a rhythm offensively. St James led by ten at the end of the first and stretched the lead as they outscored the Eagles in each quarter. Jaide Newkirk led the team, as she recorded a double-double, with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Katie Chappell had seven points with four rebounds and four steals. Katelyn Sutton and Izzy Warrick each scored five points.
Friday night, the Eagles hosted Trinity and the girls had trouble handling pressure against the Wildcats. Trinity forced 19 first half turnovers in a game that was never competitive as they built a 39-6 halftime lead. Alabama Christian’s offense was a little better in the second half, but the Wildcats held a comfortable lead throughout. The final score was 64-20 in favor of Trinity. Rachel Rine was the team’s leading scorer netting eight points with three rebounds followed by Izzy Warrick with four points.
Although the boys came up short against Trinity, the team showed fight that had not been seen previously this season. The Wildcats led 17-7 after a quarter and 35-21 at the break and it felt like another game of going through the motions for the Eagles. However, the second half was a different story. Isaac Warrick, Avery Stuart and Gerrod Green combined to score the first ten points of the second half to cut the lead to four points. The Eagles held Trinity to just seven points in the period and trailed 41-42 headed to the final quarter. Clay Williams gave ACA the lead, 44-42, as he completed a three point play to open the fourth. The game was tied 53-53 as Stuart hit two free throws with 1:35 left in the game. Trinity closed the game by scoring the last six points and coming away with a 59-53 road win. Avery Stuart had 25 points with five rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Gerrod Green and Isaac Warrick each finished with nine points.
Next week, both squads will participate in the CCC Christmas Tournament.