In their first home games of the season, the First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlanders were swept by St. Andrews on Thursday at the St. James Sports Center.

The loss brings the Highlanders to 1-2 and the girls to 0-3.

Despite a lead in the first half, the varsity girls lost 42-36.

Up by 12 points at halftime, the girls lost the momentum in the second half.

Cassandra Ruff scored 19 points, Jelissa Estrada had seven, Helana Scott scored six points, Desiah Vincente two and Kasey Caines chipped in two.

The Lady Highlanders are coached by Rosby Frasier and Lee Christensen.

In a tight game, the Highlanders lost 55-50.

Coached by Shane Smith, the young squad had a brief two-point lead in the fourth quarter, but was unable to finish it out.

Smith is in his fifth year as the FPCA head coach and this is his youngest squad to date.

"Maturity and experience would have closed out that game," he said. "We will gain the experience and we are working on decision making and maturity."

Freshman Paul Amaker put up 21 points for the Landers.

Jabari Oneal added 10, Chris Dennis had seven, Alfred Martin five, Jerryan Richard three, while Cameron Nunn and Palmer Whitney scored two points each.

Encouraged by the results against St. Andrews, Smith is satisfied that the program is on track.

In a rebuilding year for both varsity teams the Highlander underclassmen are being depended on to produce.

The JV boys lost 69-16.

DJ Christensen led the team in points with seven. Steven Young, James Osteen and Kyle Duncan all had three points. The JV is coached by David Linderman

The Highlanders will face Coastal Home School in a rematch on Dec. 18.

Previously, the Highlander boys beat Coastal Home School 47-43 and the varsity girls lost 48-20.

The games are at the St. James Sports Center on Holmestown Road in Midway. The JV boys will start at 5 p.m. with the varsity teams to follow.