Faith Christian sweeps Mt. Calvary in NCCSA 2-A play

Published in Sports on December 14, 2005 2:07 PM

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HOOKERTON -- Mt. Calvary Christian Academy center Justin Kennedy had a terrific statistical line in Tuesday's home game against Faith Christian: 28 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocked shots.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, Kennedy was the Lone Ranger, as Faith used a big third quarter to down Mt. Calvary, 64-55, in a N.C. Christian Schools Athletic Association 2A game in Hookerton.

"We expect this kind of night from Justin," MCCA coach Michael Fulcher said. "But we need contributions from everyone else when the defense concentrates on him."

With the game tied 29-29 at halftime, Faith came out of the locker room on fire, outscoring the Warriors 12-4 in the first 4:20 of the third quarter.

"We knew that underneath we had an advantage," Faith coach Jeff Scott said. "In the first half we were being selfish. We told them they had to get it inside or they were going to watch. They got it inside more and that was the difference."

Fulcher said the fact that Faith went to a zone on defense was what helped the Conquerors win the game.

"We couldn't make our open shots," Fulcher said. "That took us out of our game. (Faith) didn't give us many open shots, but they got the rebounds when we missed them."

Faith, which was led by Josh Brannan (18 points), T.J. Sasser (13) and John Spencer (11), improved to 7-0 overall, 2-0 in the NCCSA 2A Eastern Division and left Hookerton with Fulcher's respect.

"They're the best team in the conference," Fulcher said of Faith. "We had to make our shots to win and we didn't."

Scott also left Hookerton with a renewed respect for Mt. Calvary's Lone Ranger.

"He's hard to guard," Scott said of Kennedy. "He made some shots that we didn't think he could make. He's a very good basketball player."

No other Warrior scored in double figures, but freshman guard Stephen McDonald and sophomore forward Zach Burrus had nine each for Mt. Calvary.

The Warriors return to action Thursday night at home against Rocky Mount Falls Road.

Faith gets past

Mt. Calvary, 26-15

The Conquerors improved to 4-2 by breaking open a close game in the third quarter.

Mt. Calvary (1-5) trailed 16-13 early in the second half but was held to one field goal over the final 13 and a half minutes of the game.

MCCA only connected on 1 of 21 shots and turned the ball over 12 times in the last 13:30.

Faith was led by Lindsey Godwin's eight points; Mt. Calvary was paced by Camille Bartholomew's five points.

Boys

Faith 15 14 20 15 -- 64

Mt. Calvary 13 16 13 13 -- 55

GF: Josh Brannan 18, T.J. Sasser 13, John Spencer 11, Sladick 7, Stocks 6, Riley 1. MC: Justin Kennedy 28, McDonald 9, Z. Burrus 9, Miller 6, J. Burrus 2, Howard 1.

Records: GF 7-0 overall, 2-0 NCCSA 2A; MC 4-2, 1-1 NCCSA 2A.

Girls

Faith 11 5 2 8 -- 26

Mt. Calvary 4 5 4 2 -- 15

GF: Godwin 8, Clark 5, Provencal 4, Hill 3, Maddox 2, Thibeaux 2. MC: Bartholomew 5, Pridgen 4, Worthington 2, Mills 2, Tyson 2.

Records: GF 4-2 overall, 2-0 NCCSA 2A; MC 1-5, 0-2 NCCSA 2A.