The Lady Highlanders received an early present from Santa in the form of their first victory on the basketball court Dec. 18. They managed to take a 16-point lead over Citizens Christian Academy in their 38-22 win. The junior varsity and varsity Highlanders followed suit by claiming victories over CCA as well.
Lady Highlanders 38,
Lady Patriots 22
The last time the Lady Highlanders faced an opponent was Nov. 2, when they lost to a tough Glennville Christian Academy team. The time between games, however, was apparently used by the Lady Highlanders to hone their skills.
Leitia Leiataua ignited the offense and defense with steals and shots helping to catapult the Highlanders to a quick and early lead.
Catherine Scaggs was just behind Leiataua in points but soon fouled out and sat for a portion of the game. But there to carry on the team was Asyria Daniels who stepped in and helped defensively.
“This is the girls’ first win as I’m sure you can tell by the expression on my face,” Rosby Fraiser said. “What a wonderful early Christmas gift for us all. All the girls worked hard. They are practicing hard and it showed today in the game.”
Fraiser said her team continues to improve and hopes this first win will spark a fire in them for the rest of the season.
“Leitia is a hustler and has great speed,” Fraiser said. “I told her to play her game and that is what she did. I’m very proud of them. We still have to concentrate on our lay-ups but for now I can’t be more proud of them. We are looking for many more wins. If it feels like this then this is what we want. We told the girls in the locker room after the game this is what winning feels like and I think now that they got a taste of it, they will want some more. During halftime, we were winning and we told them it was only the first half and we had to go back out there. They concentrated, dug in deep and came out with the win.”
Fraiser praised Daniel’s defensive abilities for the night and said her entire team seemed happy and excited.
Scoring
Leitia Leiataua 16
Catherine Scaggs 12
Asyria Daniels 4
Andrea Bell 4
Sam Holt 2
Boys’ JV game
FPCA 47, Citizens Christian 23
Last year Citizens Christian Academy dominated the boy Highlanders. This year, junior varsity coach David Linderman sized up his team and knew he stood a better chance against a smaller Citizens’ JV squad.
Within minutes, the Highlanders had control of the game and never looked back. Seventh grader Mike Farrior led the scoring drive for the Highlanders and continues to impress Linderman.
“Mike continued to play very well and had an outstanding game,” he said. “I still believe he is the best seventh grader I’ve seen, He’s a born leader for our team.”
Linderman said the key to his victory was his defense.
“We played very good defense. Our man to man was good and our 3-2 looked real good. I was very proud of the boys, we worked hard at practice and it’s nice to see its paying off.”
Scoring
Mike Farrior- 20 points
William Haas- 11 points
Kyle Weinerth- 10 points
Jose Martinez- 4 points
Garrett Crissman- 2 points
Men’s varsity game
FPCA, 86, CCA 50
The big battle for the Highlanders was at the varsity level with Citizens Christian battling back and keeping the score tight until the second period. At the half, the difference on the scoreboard was only six points. But the Highlanders came out in the third period with a renewed energy and out shot their opponents, 27-6. Joey Bell put up an outstanding 30 points in their victory. Three other Highlanders scored in the double digits to solidify their win.
Scoring
Joey Bell- 30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Hakeem Golden- 16 points, 14 rebounds, 1 blocked shot
Terrence Alston- 11 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Josh Rodgers- 11 points, 4 rebounds
Mike Brown- 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
AJ Ansley- 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 blocked shots
Tim Ashmen- 2 points, 5 rebounds
Sunny Patel- 2 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
Preyen Patel- 2 points, 2 rebounds
The Highlanders return from break with a non-region game against Faith Baptist on Jan. 4 at St. James Sports Center. Tip-off for the girls is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Lady Highlanders 38,
Lady Patriots 22
The last time the Lady Highlanders faced an opponent was Nov. 2, when they lost to a tough Glennville Christian Academy team. The time between games, however, was apparently used by the Lady Highlanders to hone their skills.
Leitia Leiataua ignited the offense and defense with steals and shots helping to catapult the Highlanders to a quick and early lead.
Catherine Scaggs was just behind Leiataua in points but soon fouled out and sat for a portion of the game. But there to carry on the team was Asyria Daniels who stepped in and helped defensively.
“This is the girls’ first win as I’m sure you can tell by the expression on my face,” Rosby Fraiser said. “What a wonderful early Christmas gift for us all. All the girls worked hard. They are practicing hard and it showed today in the game.”
Fraiser said her team continues to improve and hopes this first win will spark a fire in them for the rest of the season.
“Leitia is a hustler and has great speed,” Fraiser said. “I told her to play her game and that is what she did. I’m very proud of them. We still have to concentrate on our lay-ups but for now I can’t be more proud of them. We are looking for many more wins. If it feels like this then this is what we want. We told the girls in the locker room after the game this is what winning feels like and I think now that they got a taste of it, they will want some more. During halftime, we were winning and we told them it was only the first half and we had to go back out there. They concentrated, dug in deep and came out with the win.”
Fraiser praised Daniel’s defensive abilities for the night and said her entire team seemed happy and excited.
Scoring
Leitia Leiataua 16
Catherine Scaggs 12
Asyria Daniels 4
Andrea Bell 4
Sam Holt 2
Boys’ JV game
FPCA 47, Citizens Christian 23
Last year Citizens Christian Academy dominated the boy Highlanders. This year, junior varsity coach David Linderman sized up his team and knew he stood a better chance against a smaller Citizens’ JV squad.
Within minutes, the Highlanders had control of the game and never looked back. Seventh grader Mike Farrior led the scoring drive for the Highlanders and continues to impress Linderman.
“Mike continued to play very well and had an outstanding game,” he said. “I still believe he is the best seventh grader I’ve seen, He’s a born leader for our team.”
Linderman said the key to his victory was his defense.
“We played very good defense. Our man to man was good and our 3-2 looked real good. I was very proud of the boys, we worked hard at practice and it’s nice to see its paying off.”
Scoring
Mike Farrior- 20 points
William Haas- 11 points
Kyle Weinerth- 10 points
Jose Martinez- 4 points
Garrett Crissman- 2 points
Men’s varsity game
FPCA, 86, CCA 50
The big battle for the Highlanders was at the varsity level with Citizens Christian battling back and keeping the score tight until the second period. At the half, the difference on the scoreboard was only six points. But the Highlanders came out in the third period with a renewed energy and out shot their opponents, 27-6. Joey Bell put up an outstanding 30 points in their victory. Three other Highlanders scored in the double digits to solidify their win.
Scoring
Joey Bell- 30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Hakeem Golden- 16 points, 14 rebounds, 1 blocked shot
Terrence Alston- 11 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Josh Rodgers- 11 points, 4 rebounds
Mike Brown- 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
AJ Ansley- 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 blocked shots
Tim Ashmen- 2 points, 5 rebounds
Sunny Patel- 2 points, 1 assist, 1 steal
Preyen Patel- 2 points, 2 rebounds
The Highlanders return from break with a non-region game against Faith Baptist on Jan. 4 at St. James Sports Center. Tip-off for the girls is scheduled for 4 p.m.