Conquerors cage Bulldogs

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on January 14, 2009 1:46 PM

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Berean Baptist might want to invest in time travel.

Before the Christmas break, the Bulldogs reeled off six consecutive victories and didn't experience defeat. Since the New Year's, misfortune has fallen on the N.C. Christian Schools Association Coastal 2-A member.

Faith Christian handed Berean its third consecutive defeat, a 64-51 decision, on Tuesday evening. The Conquerors improved to 8-4 overall, while the Bulldogs exited 6-3.

"It was a good win for us tonight," said Faith Christian head coach Jeff Stocks. "Our guys have been playing better recently and that continued tonight with a solid effort."

In the first half, the Bulldogs regained their early-season form.

Ben Spivey and Jared Smith each scored a pair of baskets in the opening moments to keep pace with Faith's hot-shooting tandem of Brad Floars and Wilson Head.

Faith Christian erupted with a 21-point second quarter.

Floars sank a 3-pointer and followed it with a steal and a layup. On the next Conquerors possession, Head delivered a second shot from beyond the arc just before the clock expired. The momentum shifting jumper gave Faith its biggest lead, 39-28, of the opening half.

"I think our guys are gaining confidence in themselves as the season goes along," said Stocks. "We have a lot of guys that didn't have a lot of varsity experience coming into this year, but they are learning as they go."

The Conquerors looked like a seasoned squad after the intermission.

Faith Christian picked up the intensity on the defensive end and went on a 9-2, four-minute run. The Conquerors extended their advantage to 48-30 and Stocks subbed liberally to give his reserves quality playing time.

After Head buried a game-clinching 3-pointer with two minutes to play, Stocks immediately pulled him off the floor.

"I had literally just told the guys, 'no shots unless its a layup,'" said Stocks. "I joked with him afterward that it was OK since he made it, if he missed it I would have had his jersey. It's amazing how fast players forget things once they get back on the floor ... even the smartest players."

Floars led the Conquerors with 22 points, while Head added 15. Chris Powell added seven points and pulled down three rebounds. Eric Powell chipped-in six points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Spivey led Berean with 17 points and nine rebounds. Smith recorded 11 points, while Ryan Ikeya collected eight points and three boards.

Faith Christian entertains Cornerstone Christian on Friday.