Crusaders Over CCA
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Lady Crusaders competed in the Brentwood Holiday Tournament December 28 and 29. The Lady Crusaders competed against AAA John Milledge Academy and AA Piedmont Academy. Both teams were in the Final Four last year and are sitting at the top of AAA and AA rankings for this year. And then last week RTCA took on Citizens Christian Academy and split their games with the boys getting a win.
Girls vs. JMA
The Lady Crusaders fought a tough game but came up short in the end to JMA 35-32. Top scorers for the game were sophomore Bree Wimberly with 18 points, sophomore Ansley Akins with six points, and junior Mary-Claire Wolfe with four points. Coach Jacob Wilkinson said, 'After our last game against CCA, we improved so much that I was excited to see us get back out there and compete against the top teams in GISA. We knew this was going to be a tough game being that JMA was 6-1. They have great size down low and a great shooter. Our game plan was to have freshman Kylie Acosta, senior Ellie Graham, and junior Mary-Claire Wolfe rotate shutting her down. Freshman Meredith Durden and sophomore Emmie Davis did an awesome job controlling the glass and our defense came ready to play only giving up 35 points to a team who averages 56 a game.
“The game was back and forth and after falling behind early on we had the lead at halftime. Sophomores Bree Wimberly, Ansley Akins, and junior Mary-Claire Wolfe stepped up and hit a few big shots throughout the game. JMA hit a shot with eight seconds left in the game to take a two-point lead. We were able to get a good shot off at the end of the game, but it didn't fall. However, I am so proud of how well we fought and competed against this AAA school.'
Girls vs. Piedmont
The Lady Crusaders then played Piedmont the following day but were defeated with a final score of 45-25. Top scorers for the game were sophomore Bree Wimberly with 13 points, freshman Kylie Acosta with 4 points, and freshman Meredith Durden with 3 points.
'When making the schedule this year, we knew this game would be a big one. Piedmont was in the Final Four last year and as a coach, I wanted to see where we stood early in the year. The outcome wasn't what we wanted, but I feel if we see them again, we can do a lot better with more time to work. We never quit playing hard, even after two games back-to-back and only one practice during the Christmas break. We are a young team, and we are constantly getting better. We just need to find a way to score easier and that's on me as a coach.
“Sophomore Bree Wimberly stepped up again offensively, and senior Ellie Graham and freshman Kylie Acosta did a great job defensively working one of the best players in AA. Like I've already mentioned, the score was not where we wanted it to be, but we are constantly making changes and getting better and that's all I can ask from these girls,' said Head Coach Jacob Wilkinson.
Girls vs. CCA
The Lady Crusaders came up short against CCA 65-49 on Tuesday of last week. The Lady Crusaders came back from the Christmas break playing tough but ran out of gas late in the fourth quarter.
Top scorers for the game were sophomore Ansley Akins with 17 points, sophomore Bree Wimberly with 13 points, and freshman Meredith Durden with 5 points.
Head Coach Wilkinson stated, 'I'm proud of our team for fighting back after being behind early in the game. At halftime, we were down 17 points, in foul trouble, and down two main players, junior Mary Claire Wolfe and sophomore Emmie Davis couldn’t play. We did a better job of limiting our turnovers which in return led to us having more shots.
“We cut the lead to 9 points heading into the fourth quarter with sophomores Bree Wimberly, and Ansley Akins's strong shooting. CCA hit a few tough shots at the end while freshmen Kylie Acosta and Meredith Durden fouled out early in the fourth quarter, allowing CCA to pull away. CCA is a good team, probably the second-best team we have played. The girls gave it everything they had; we just ran out of gas at the end.
“I'm proud of these girls' determination to keep getting better. We are a much better basketball team than what our wins and losses say. We have played a tough schedule early in the season, but I believe that will help us heading into Region and State and that's when it really matters.'
Boys vs. CCA
RTCA’s boys’ basketball team defeated CCA 59-48. The Crusaders came out playing well in the first quarter pulling out to a 16-3 lead.
Coach Adam Callaway said, 'We got a little lazy defensively and let the score run up. This was also the first game we played in 12 days, so we were a little sloppy and had a few things we needed to work on. However, it is a win, and this moves us to 8-1 going into our region schedule next week.'
Top scorers for the game were junior JaSahun Powell with 23 points, senior Tyler Buggs with 12 points, followed by senior MK McBride and sophomore Drew Vaugh with 10 points each.
