The First Presbyterian Christian Academy girls’ basketball team hosted crosstown rival Faith Baptist Christian Academy on Monday in the season opener for both teams.
The Lady ’Landers edged out the visitors, 42-40, in a game where nerves and jitters dominated most of the first half.
The game was knotted, 13-13, at the half, but both teams began to settle down in the second half. Faith Baptist scored the first points of the third quarter and began to open a lead against FPCA.
As the Lady ’Landers were trailing, 25-15, in the final three minutes of the third quarter, FPCA got some much-needed offense from Alliyah Wilson. She banked in a layup and scored again off of a turnover, cutting the lead to 25-19.
Wilson, who had a game-high 29 points, pulled the ’Landers to within three points when she drained a trey in the final seconds of the third quarter.
The game stayed nip and tuck in the final quarter, but free throws and layups in the final minutes gave the Lady ’Landers a two-point win.
“What a way to start the season,” FPCA Lady ’Landers coach Rosby Frasier said. “We had some parts missing, but we kept playing hard and I am really proud of the girls.”

Frasier added that two of her girls never had played basketball before Monday night, so her returning players led the squad.
“Summer (Mehalko) had nine rebounds tonight, and Alliyah and T’era played hard tonight,” Frasier said.
FPCA (1-0) will host Youth ChalleNGe Academy at 2 p.m. Saturday at the St. James Sports Center.

Scoring summary

FPCA   6  7   9   22  —  42
FBCA   9  4  12  15  —  40

FPCA — Aliyah Wilson 29, T’era Alston 8, Brooke Standard 3, Jordan Johnson 2

FBCA — Ragan Jarrett 10, Sam Brannen 9, Lehua Barrett 7, Maggie Brannen 6, Adyn Brannen 5, Kadesha Frazier 3