Getting closer to the ultimate goal of a second state title, the First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlanders added another victory Saturday afternoon at home, downing the Georgia Christian Generals 74-30.
The boys’ squad has not lost a game since winning the state title for the Georgia Independent School Association class A region last season. With 16 straight wins and a 12-0 overall and a 4-0 GISA 2-A region record, the Highlanders true test will be at home Jan. 24. That’s when they face Bethesda.
Bethesda was 10-1 as of Saturday morning, but was ranked No. 4 on WTOC’s top 11 teams. The TV station ranked FPCA at No. 10.
Saturday afternoon the boys opened with a quick 6-point run that remained unanswered until the final minutes of the first period when the Generals tied the score.
AJ Ansley led the Highlanders, sinking 23 points. Joey Bell landed 18 while Mike Brown hit 12.
With more than a 20-point lead by the half, coach Darrell West decided to give his reserve unit time on the court.
"Today was the best they ever looked," he said. "I was real impressed with Kaelan (Dorr) and Tim Ashmen. They need to continue going out there and be consistent all the time. The intensity should never drop when the first five switch with them."
West said the challenge is to keep the team motivated.
The Highlanders host Citizen’s Christian Friday night, travel to Memorial Day on Monday then host three home games against Heritage Christian, Providence and finally the Jan. 24 rivalry against Bethesda.
West said he is preparing for that game’s hype and intensity.
"We went out there and we scouted them," West said about Bethesda. "Miki always has a quick athletic team but we have to take care of business. The last few years we always said we are going to send their seniors home crying. We didn’t have seniors then. This year our motto is make a legacy, make something the other guys coming up through the program can look up to, set a tone for First Presbyterian basketball."
Friday’s game against Citizens Christian tips-off with the girls’ game at 6:30 p.m. The boys’ game will immediately follow.