Faith Christian-Hilltop boys
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 25, 2011 1:47 PM
Give the big man the ball.
And each time Wes Caudle got the pass, Hilltop had no answer.
Caudle pumped in a game-high 20 points and helped Faith Christian knock off Hilltop Christian, 67-48, in a N.C. Christian Schools Association non-region affair Monday evening.
"My guy scored some easy baskets and he just needs more confidence," said Conquerors head coach Jeff Stocks. "That's going to help him. We do a good job of staying spread out (on offense), and if you notice on our break, he's the last one coming (down court).
"We tell him to hesitate until our wing catches it and then break, because (an opponent's) defense isn't usually watching anybody but the ball. He can sneak in and get easy baskets."
Caudle connected on seven of his nine field goals in the opening half, including a 3-pointer. He grabbed seven rebounds and three assists.
Ten Faith Christian players scored in the contest. Aaron Hill contributed nine points and five rebounds, while Connor Anderson logged eight points and eight rebounds. Silas Denlinger hauled down seven boards.
The Conquerors had 19 team assists on 30 field goals.
"I think we hustle, I think our 'D' is pretty good," said Stocks. "We're still working on our halfcourt trap, but we're still learning even though it's near the end of the season."
Faith Christian coaxed Hilltop into 24 turnovers and built an insurmountable lead as the second half progressed. Hilltop (7-7 overall) pulled to within 16 points early in the final quarter, but could get no closer.
Stocks substituted liberally throughout the fourth period and the reserves delighted the home crowd with their tenacious play. The bench combined for 21 points, including seven from Brandon Jones and six from Michael Clarke.
The Conquerors (14-5) will celebrate senior night today against NCCSA Coastal 2-A region foe Berean Christian.