Amari Pearson of CFCA looks for an opening to the basket Monday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photos/Al Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity boys basketball team topped host Freedom Christian, 55-52, on Monday night in a make-up game in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
The Eagles trailed 25-21 at halftime after being outscored 17-11 in the second quarter.
CFCA was playing its third straight game without leading scorer Cinque Lemon, who is expected to return to the team for practice on Tuesday (February 9). Lemon has been sidelined due to a non-COVID medical issue.
“We’ve survived without him, but we need him back,” said Eagles coach Steve Mims Jr. after his team improved to 21-6 overall and 8-0 in the SAC.
CFCA has been without leading scorer Cinque Lemon.
A 3-pointer from the right corner by Tristin Harkins gave CFCA a 47-43 lead in the fourth quarter and Zeke Brock finished a fast break for a 49-43 advantage.
The Eagles’ last six points came on free throws by Sila Tako, Caden Bell and Jabare Perry.
Bell paced CFCA’s scoring with 16 points. Perry scored all 10 of his points in the second half. Harkins and Amari Pearson had seven points each. Truman Claytor scored six points and Sila Tako had five. Brock and Paul Tako netted two points each.
Jacob Dar had 14 points to lead Freedom (14-7, 5-4). Gavin Sharp had 13 points for the Patriots, including a pair of threes in the fourth quarter to keep the hosts within striking distance, before he fouled out.
CFCA had beaten Freedom, 79-46, at home on Feb. 2 when the Pats were without 6-10 rim protector Melian Martinez.
Freedom takes girls game
Freedom won the girls game, 38-32, on Monday night after taking a 64-42 win at CFCA last week.
“I was very pleased with the effort,” said Lady Eagles coach Bobby Lamb.
Gracie Byrd was sidelined for the CFCA girls due to a knee injury.
Leah Brannon had eight points for the Lady Eagles. Scoring six apiece were Ella John Dupree, Reyna Johnson and Perri Caroline Ennis. Meredith Taylor had four points and Mariah Bell added two.
Brock has 48 in JV defeat
Zeke Brock had 48 points in the junior varsity boys game but Freedom pulled out an 86-84 win.
Tyler Henderson had 20 points for CFCA, Darris Simmons tallied 14 and Tony Cornette-McGuire scored two.
The CFCA teams host Trinity Christian on Wednesday.
Paul Tako handles the ball in transition at Freedom Christian.
Tristin Harkins had a big three in the fourth quarter for CFCA.
Caden Bell, shown earlier, paced the Eagle varsity with 16 points.
Leah Brannon, shooting at Village, had eight points Monday.
Zeke Brock and the Eagles will be back home on Wednesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
