Paul Tako scores for Cape Fear Christian Academy on Saturday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Host Cape Fear Christian Academy split varsity basketball contests with Wilson Prep in the championship games of the Senior Classic on Saturday, with the Eagles winning the boys championship, but the Tigers taking the girls championship.
The last time Cape Fear Christian’s boys hosted Wilson Prep, the Tigers rallied from a 31-17 halftime deficit for a 61-60 win on Jan. 26. There was no repeat performance Saturday, as the Eagles started strong and withstood the Tigers’ counterattack to win 78-59.
“We knew they were tough,” said Cape Fear Christian boys coach Kalen Eddings. “We knew they had athletic big guys that could put the ball on the floor. So, we decided to come out and play some zone (defense). We haven’t played a lot of zone, but we’ve been working on it in practice and it was great that our guys were able to come out and execute on the fly with something they hadn’t had to do in-game yet.”
Junior Paul Tako had 20 points and senior Jamael Carter had 16 points to lead the Eagles (3-0).
“Paul is unbelievable,” Eddings said. “Him and his brother (Silla Tako) are amazing. They play the same way. They’re both really tough. Both really skilled. When Jamael is shooting the ball, it really opens some things up for us. He’s so unselfish and sometimes we have to ask him to look for his offense more. When he’s shooting the ball, it just does wonders for us.”
Jeremyah McWilliams, Austin Locklear and Silla Tako had 10 points apiece. Greg Moneymaker had eight points. Milson Prodanovic had three points. Eli O’Brien had one point.
Junior Nasiar Blackston had 25 points, sophomore Adrian Land had 14 points and junior Eric Wynn had 10 points to lead the Tigers (2-1).
The Eagles came out strong, opening the game with an 18-5 run and leading 31-14 at the end of the quarter.
The Tigers came fighting back in the second half, cutting the lead to as low as seven, at 46-39 after a three from Blackston late in the third quarter. But the Eagles ended the quarter on a 6-0 run and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
In the girls game, Cape Fear Christian battled to the end, but came up just short as Wilson Prep won 50-48.
“They outplayed us in the third quarter and we had to scrap back in the fourth quarter,” said Cape Fear Christian girls coach Bobby Lamb. “They knocked down some big shots when they needed them.”
Freshman Meredith Taylor had 12 points and senior Kristen Bass had 11 points to lead the Eagles (1-1).
Senior Meghan Taylor provided a spark off of the bench with six points.
“Meghan was a big key,” Lamb said. “She’s a senior this year and I’m very proud of how she stepped up today. I’m really proud of Meghan.”
Aubree Bass had eight points. Talisha McNeill had six points. Zykia Matthews had four points. Laney Trainer had one point.
Senior Dymya Robinson had 20 points and freshman Keyonna Thompson had 11 points to pace the Tigers (3-0).
After Wilson led 11-6 at the end of the first quarter, CFCA battled back, outscoring the Tigers 19-7 in the second to lead 25-18 at halftime. But the Tigers outscored the Eagles 21-10 in the third to retake the lead 39-35.
Late in the fourth, the game remained close and the Eagles had several opportunities, but could not get the shots they needed to fall and the Tigers held on for the win.
In the two consolation games Saturday, Wayne Christian beat Bethel Christian 54-27 in the girls game and Bethel Christian beat Brown Leadership Academy 87-49 in the boys game.
Cape Fear Christian has its first road trip of the season on Tuesday, as the Eagles travel to Community Christian.
“I’m curious to see how we play on the road,” Eddings said. “We’ve just got to clean up some things defensively. We’ve got to rebound the ball a little better. Offensively, we’ve got to try to keep it simple and let our guys play. We’ll work on some stuff, but other than that, I’m happy with how they played.”
The Cape Fear Christian Academy varsity boys are pictured after winning the 2019 Senior Classic. Sitting from left are Milos Prodanovic, Jeremyah McWilliams and David Okraprizda. Standing in front are Parker Watson, Austin Locklear, Alijah Miles, Jamael Carter, Zeke Brock, Greg Moneymaker, assistant Mike Dial and coach Kalen Eddings. Standing in back are assistant Dwayne Ellis, Paul Tako, Silla Tako, DeShawn Woods, Eli O’Brien and Owen Gregory. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Paul Tako takes a charge in the first half of a 78-59 victory.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Calley McKernan)
Austin Locklear (3) goes up for a 3-pointer for Cape Fear Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Jeremyah McWilliams blocks a shot for the Eagles on Saturday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Milos Prodanovic (20) shoots a 3-pointer in the Senior Classic final.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Jamael Carter (5) takes possession for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Ella John Dupree makes a pass for the Lady Eagles in the final.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Meghan Taylor shoots a 3-pointer for the CFCA girls.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Jada Horne (22) of Cape Fear Christian Academy blocks a shot.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Kristen Bass rejects a shot by Wilson Prep in the girls championship.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Meredith Taylor scores for Cape Fear Christian Academy.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
