Hillsboro Christian Academy earns two wins on the road

WEST UNION — Hillsboro Christian Academy sent their varsity teams to Adams County Christian School for a double-header on Dec. 8. The HCA Lady Crusaders defeated the ACCS Lady Eagles by a final score of 32-26. The Crusaders beat the Eagles in the varsity boys match, 67-45.

The Lady Crusaders were led in scoring by Lisa VanZant with 18 points and Annie Henderson with five points.

The Lady Eagles took a 9-8 first-quarter lead with the Lady Crusaders hot on their heels. VanZant scored two of her 18 points in the opening quarter. Leading the Lady Crusaders in scoring after the first was junior Carlee Puckett with three points. Freshman Kari Flowers scored two of her own, and Henderson went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line.

VanZant scored eight of the 10 points in the second quarter for the Lady Crusaders, with Flowers supplying the other two. The Lady Crusaders still trailed at the half, 19-18. Coach Tyler Rhodes adjusted the team’s offensive strategy during the halftime intermission.

The Lady Crusaders’ defense held the Lady Eagles to only two points in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the offensive adjustment made by Coach Rhodes aided the team as they scored eight points in the third. VanZant and Henderson each scored three points for the Lady Crusaders, with Emma Korte scoring the other two.

The Lady Crusaders entered the fourth quarter with a 26-21 lead and looked to hold onto it. The Lady Eagles scored five points in the final quarter, but the Lady Crusaders scored six. VanZant scored five of the six points for the Lady Crusaders with Henderson shooting 1-for-2 from the free-throw line.

Taking the 32-26 victory, the Lady Crusaders improve to 4-2 on the season. Their next opponent will be Fayette Christian at home.

The varsity boys match began with the Crusaders taking an early 18-11 lead. Henderson and Kellin Storer each scored seven points for the Crusaders in the first quarter. The press defense put on by Coach Fred Boggess helped propel the Crusaders to the early lead. Senior Bryson Willey and junior Joshua Baggs each scored two points for the Crusaders in the first as well.

The press defense held the Eagles to only six points in the second quarter. The Crusaders’ offense scored 22 points in the second quarter. Leading the charge for the Crusaders was Henderson with ten points. Sophomore Titus Howsman scored five points, Brannon scored three points and Willey and Storer each scored two points for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders scored 22 more points in the third quarter to extend their lead. Brannon scored eight more points in the third quarter. Henderson scored six more, Hayden Tong scored four points and Baggs and Willey each scored two points.

The Crusaders’ offense slowed down in the fourth quarter as the running clock was initiated with the Crusaders leading 62-27. Henderson scored his final two points of the night in the fourth quarter, bringing his total to 25. Senior Aidan Young scored two points of his own. Nathan Massie scored his first career varsity point in the fourth, the final point for the Crusaders. The Crusaders won the game by a final of 67-45.

The Crusaders were led in scoring by Connor Henderson with 25 points and Jonah Brannon with 11 points. The Crusaders’ bench scored 23 points on the night.

The Crusaders improve to 5-2 on the season. Their next opponent will be at home against Fayette Christian.