Asheville Christian Academy women extend streak to 7

Men pick up first win of the season

Jonathan Bennett
The Valley Echo
December 21, 2020

The Asheville Christian Academy girls basketball team notched two more victories last week bringing their winning streak to seven games. In their matchup against Charlotte Country Day School, the teams played a nip and tuck first half but in the third quarter, the Lions pushed their lead to seven points. 

Country Day fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting the Lions lead to a single possession but a cool-handed, Emma Larios, swished four straight free throws for ACA in the final minute to help secure the 59-53 win. Larios led the Lions in scoring with 24 points. 

Nandhi Smith added 19 points while Katie Alexander finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. EP Sluder chipped in 5 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The Lions finished off their week with a convincing win over Greensboro Day School. After a close first quarter, the Lions outscored the Bengals 20-5 in the second quarter and were never threatened in the second half cruising to the 56-34 win. 

Nandhi Smith led the Lions with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Alexander finished with a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The ACA girls basketball team will take a 7-1 record into their final game before the Christmas break. They will take on Winston Salem Christian which enters the marquee matchup with an 11-0 record.

 The ACA boys basketball team picked up their first win of the season behind another strong defensive effort. The Lions held Charlotte Country Day School to just 13 first-half points and behind a balanced and disciplined offensive effort, ACA was able to pull away in the second half for the 49-36 win. 

The Lions were led by Collin Mills, Kavan Horton, and Chris Harris who each scored 14 points in the contest. The Lions took to the floor against perennial power Greensboro Day School in their second game last week and managed to hold the Bengals to just 17 points in the first half.  However, ACA only scored 12 points in the opening 16 minutes and found themselves down 5 at the half. The Lions only scored 6 more points in the third quarter but found their offensive groove in the final frame cutting the Greensboro Day School lead to 43-39 in the final minute.  The Bengals sealed the win from the free-throw line dropping the Lions to 1-9 on the season. 

Mills scored 15 points for the Lions while newcomer, De’Ante Green added nine points.  The Lions will finish off their pre-Christmas schedule next week on the road at Winston Salem Christian.

For more information about Asheville Christian Academy visit www.ashevillechristian.org.  To track the Lions’ athletic department follow them on Twitter @ACAAthletics or the ACA MaxPreps page.