Crusaders Into Final 4
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusader basketball teams played in the GIAA State Elite 8 last week. The Lady Crusaders played Memorial Day at Stratford Academy on Friday, while the boys took on Grace Christian on Saturday at Tattnall Square. The Lady Crusaders had lost to Memorial the past two times they had played, but in this game RTCA came out on top in a close game to advance. The boys were playing Grace for the first time this season and rolled to a win to keep their season alive.
Girls vs. Memorial
The Lady Crusaders took a 10-7 lead in the first quarter of the game, with Amelia Mercer getting a big three-pointer to fall. In the second quarter Mercer continued to lead the way for RTCA with another three, as RTCA took a 24-20 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Mercer scored 5 points for RTCA to help them hold onto the lead. Memorial did cut into it, but at the end of the third, RTCA was in front, 35-32.
In the fourth quarter, Meredith Durden did her job in the paint as she got a couple of big shots to fall and made a few free throws, with Kailen Brantley adding 5 points, as RTCA held on to take the win, 46-42.
Mercer led the way for RTCA with 19 points, Durden added 13, and Brantley scored 10 in the win.
Boys vs. Grace
Against the Cougars of Grace Christian, RTCA got a big game from Jakobi Mobley as he dropped 33 points to lead RTCA to the win.
Both teams came out of the gate getting shots to fall, but RTCA got 12 of their 18 points from Mobley to take an 18-16 lead by the end of the quarter. In the second, RTCA added to their lead with Jayden Toole getting some big shots to fall. By halftime, RTCA had increased their lead to 32-26.
Christian Mixon stepped up in the third quarter for the Crusaders with a couple of big three-pointers as RTCA outscored Grace, 2013. That put RTCA in control, 52-39, heading to the fourth. In the fourth quarter RTCA pulled away to take the win, 71-53.
Along with Mobley’s 33 points, Toole added 15, and Mixon scored 12 in the win.
This week RTCA will be playing at Brewton-Parker College in the GIAA Final 4 on Wednesday.
The boys will take the court first as they play at 4:30 p.m. against First Presbyterian. RTCA comes into the game with a record of 15-10, and they have split their games against FPCA this season. FPCA has a record of 16-5.
The Lady Crusaders will be up next at 6:00 p.m. against Fullington Academy. RTCA comes into the game with a record of 14-11, while Fullington has a record of 24-4. This is the first time they have played this season.
