Hillsboro Christian Academy falls to Sugar Creek Christian Academy

By Colin Ryan
The Highland County Press

Hillsboro Christian Academy hosted senior day on Feb. 17 in a pair of varsity games against the Sugar Creek Christian Academy Eagles. The Lady Crusaders lost to the Lady Eagles by a final score of 50-20. 

The Crusaders also lost to the Eagles by a final score of 83-61. This loss came off the heels of the Crusaders defeating Dominion Academy in the school’s first state tournament game by a final score of 69-58.

The Lady Crusaders were led in scoring by Lisa VanZant with 11 points and Emma Korte with six points. Chloe Long and Charlee Long led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 25 and 12 points, respectively.

The Lady Crusaders fell behind early in the game against the Lady Eagles, 19-6. Carlee Puckett scored the first basket for the Lady Crusaders with a 3-point basket. VanZant scored three points as well for the Lady Crusaders in the opening quarter. Senior Emma Gorman started the game for the Lady Crusaders on senior day.

VanZant and Korte both scored four points for the Lady Crusaders in the second quarter. VanZant scored all four of her points from the free-throw line, going four-for-four from the charity stripe.

The Lady Crusaders only scored six points in the second half against the Lady Eagles. VanZant and Korte were the only ones to score for the Lady Crusaders in the second half. VanZant scored four of the six points, two from the free-throw line in the third quarter.

The Lady Crusaders next game will be Feb. 20 against Ross County Christian Academy in the state tournament. The Lady Crusaders will be on the road facing RCCA yet again.

• The Crusaders were led in scoring against SCCA by Kellin Storer with 28 points, Bryson Willey with 15 points and Hayden Tong with 14 points. The Eagles were led in scoring by Carter Beaumont with 45 points and Samuel Wheeler with 17 points.

The Crusaders scored 12 points in the opening quarter, but gave up 20 points to the Eagles. For the Crusaders, Storer scored five points, Tong scored four points and Willey scored three points in the first quarter. All five seniors for the Crusaders, Storer, Willey, Edward Rhonemus, Aidan Young and Jacob Crusie, started the game.

Storer, Willey and Tong continued to lead the Crusaders in scoring in the second quarter combining for 14 points. Joshua Baggs scored two points in the second quarter for the Crusaders, the only other player to score in the first half for the Crusaders.

The best quarter offensively for the Crusaders was the third quarter as they scored 17 points. Storer scored nine points in the third, his best quarter. Tong and Willey supplied the other eight points for the Crusaders in the third.

Crusie scored two points in the fourth quarter for the Crusaders on senior day. Storer, Tong and Willey combined for the other 14 points scored in the final quarter for the Crusaders. The final home game for the Crusaders ended in a loss as the Eagles closed out the win 83-61.

The Crusaders will take on Temple Christian on Feb. 23 at Temple for the second round of the state tournament.

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• Below, Bryson Willey nails the deep-range 3-point basket against Sugar Creek Christian Academy.