(above photo) FACS’s Joey Szvetitz (11) drives the baseline for two points late in the game.

In a special night to recognize and honor their eighth grade student athletes who will be moving on to different schools next year, the FACS varsity basketball teams gave the crowd a real treat, taking both games. In the girl’s game Coach Deaton’s girls were determined to pick up a “W” in a very competitive game, pulling away at the end for a 37-29 win. Coach McKinney’s boy’s squad turned up the heat and ran away with a 55-22 in the second game of the evening.

“It was nice to see “heart” match the score,” said FACS girls head coach Isaac Deaton, referring to the effort that his girls put forth and having that effort pay off with a win.

Carissa Lily (35) converts a breakaway lay up for FACS in the closing moments of the game

FACS came out strong and put up 12 points in the first quarter to take a four point lead. Their aggressive defense held BCA to just 4 points in the second period and the Champions went into halftime on top by seven, 19-12.

BCA took a little wind out of FACS’s sail in the third period, out scoring the home team 8-6 and cutting the lead down to 5 points, 25-20.

This is where the “heart” kicked in for Coach Deaton’s squad. They were not going to lose this game. As hard as they had played for three quarters, these young ladies reached down deep inside and found a way to stay one step ahead of the competition in the closing moments of the game. BCA made a run, but FACS had an answer to hold on for the win.

Joli Hatcher led FACS with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

FACS (37) scoring summary: Joli Hatcher (10), Carissa Lilly (8), Natlie Tyson (8), Racheal Whitaker (6), Becky Solis (5)

Burlington Christian Academy (29) scoring summary: Abbott (9), Wrightenberry (5), Miller (6), Stein (6), Donnelly (3)

The FACS boys got off to a slow start, but their overall size and strength was just too much for BCA, as the Champions dominated the Royals 55-22

“We came out a little lethargic,” said FACS boy’s head coach Joey McKinney. FACS Athletic Director Miranda McKinney was a little more descriptive in her assessment of the game, “we had a ‘sloppy’ first quarter and then played well for the final three quarters.’

I tend to agree with both “lethargic” and “sloppy”, and I would also add “uncharacteristic” to describe the start of this game. Once FACS woke up today, it was lights out for BCA!

These kids still amaze me at how they can completely take control of a game in just a snap of a finger! Their trapping defense is as tough as it gets. It’s almost like they “dare” you to try and score. If you do get a shot off, you better make it, odds are you won’t be getting the rebound on a missed shot.

The first quarter belonged to BCA. The visitors rushed out to a quick 6-2 lead and held on to end the first period up by 3, 9-6. But nobody panicked. “Earlier in the year I would have been concerned with a slow start like tonight, said McKinney, but I am so proud of how these kids have come along as the season has progressed, everyone stayed calm and we played our game.”

FACS took a two point lead, 11-9, with 5:26 left in the second quarter. Their defense proceeded to hold the Royals to just 2 points for the remainder of the half while the offense went on a tear, exploding for 22 points in the second period. All of a sudden the Champions had a 17 point halftime lead, and it was beginning to look like another FACS blowout.

Once the snowball started rolling down hill, the momentum was unstoppable. The Champions lit up the scoreboard for 20 third quarter points, while holding BCA to four points.

It was another “team” win for FACS. When you are able to shut down the opponent’s offense, dominate the boards, and ratchet your offense up a notch, the result will always be a 30+ point blowout.

FACS had two players in double figures, Jackson Bryant with a game high 19 points, and Tre Dennis with 15. Dennis scored 12 of the 15 points in the third quarter as the Champions pulled away. Bryant scored most of his points in the second quarter, hitting three shots from beyond the arc to go along with two field goals for a total of 13 points in the period.

Unofficially the Champions pulled down an unthinkable 47 rebounds! Adam Warren led the team with 16, and Dalton Pearman hauled in 10 boards. Now that’s tough to beat!

Great performance guys, and girls!!!

FACS (55) scoring summary: Jackson Bryant (19), Dalton Pearman (3), Adam Warren (7), Tre Dennis (15), Robert Williard (7), Joey Szvetitz (4)

Burlington Christian Academy (22) scoring summary: Byrd (8), Corron (6), Pardnos (4), Gilbert (4)

Girl’s game photos:

Boy’s game photos: