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FPCA takes opener
Bama power takes tourney second game
JordanJohnson
FPCA Highlander Jordan Johnson charges the net in Thursday’s 95-80 win against Potters House on the opening day of the Faith Baptist Tip-off classic. - photo by Phgoto by Patty Leon
With only a six-man roster and a lot of heart, the Highlanders of First Presbyterian Christian Academy took to the hardwood at the Faith Baptist Christian Academy Tip-off classic and earned a victory in game one against Potters House High from Jacksonville.
The Highlanders won 95-80 in a closely contested match Thursday.
The Highlanders held a 9-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Potter tied the game at 62 with 2:35 left in the quarter.
“We lost our composure there momentarily and made two or three quick turnovers,” Highlander coach David Jones said. “They’re a very good team and well coached. He knew all the things to do when DJ (Felder) got in serious foul trouble. We were just blessed to get out of it.”
Jones said it was evident the Potters’ House coach tried to take advantage of Felder’s foul trouble by bringing in his best shooters.
“Our kids just managed to regroup and Jordan (Johnson) regained his composure,” he said. “He is the key to us. He is the straw that stirs the milkshake as old Reggie Jackson said. He got everything back together and as so goes him, so goes us.”
The game was tied again at 69 in the fourth quarter when Felder drew a foul, sending him to the line. Later, Highlander Jaquez Smith went to the line scoring free throws as did Johnson. With less than five minutes left in regulation the Highlanders eked out a 74-69 lead.
Johnson and Mike Tige grabbed quick layups and Felder drew another free throw to extend their lead by 9 again.
Johnson then made some critical moves and the team was able to win.
“DJ played solid all the way through,” Jones said. “I never had a kid that picked up…you know he got the stupid technical and he had three fouls before the lights got turned on and then he picked up a fourth one early in the third quarter…but he played real smart and, of course, led us in rebounding. Jordan ran the club. Jaquez had the game that we expected him to have. I thought that our other two players, Mike Tige played well and our ninth grader Dominique Kirkely. I tell you what, for a ninth grader, first time out, under the gun in an opening game, had an outstanding game.”
But the team had a much tougher team to play on Friday night. The Highlanders small crew of six had to go against the second ranked team in Alabama, Central Park.
Central Park won 87-58.
“We need some more kids,” Jones said. “You can’t play a season with six kids.”
Stats
FPCA: 32|54|67|95
Jordan Johnson 18, Mike Tige 10, Dominique Kirkley 13, DJ Felder 33, Jaquez Smith 21
Potters House:  21|45|66|80
Charles Cook 31, Aluk Adul 15, Josh Grover 10

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