Five in a row for Asheville Christian Academy

Lions women’s basketball team keeps winning streak alive with big third quarter

Jonathan Bennett
The Valley Echo
December 14, 2020

The Asheville Christian Academy women’s basketball team continued their winning ways last week knocking off a pesky Asheville School Blues squad 54-27.  An uncharacteristically low scoring first half by the Lion saw them only take a 13-9 lead into the halftime break.  However, ACA produced an offensive explosion in the third quarter pouring in 26 points in the frame and blowing the game wide open. 

ACA sophomore Emma Larios led the Lions with 12 points in their fifth consecutive win, Dec. 8. Photo by Fred McCormick

The ACA sophomore class led a balanced attack as Emma Larios led the way with 12 points. EP Sluder and Elizabeth Harrington each added 9 points and Katie Alexander tallied 8 to pave the way for the Lions offense.  The Lions improved to 5-1 overall with their fifth straight victory.

In the men’s game against Asheville School, the Lions season-long shooting woes continued.  After yet another game shooting under 40% from the field, ACA dropped their first game against Asheville School in over a decade. 

The Lions once again played well defensively but a 6-point second quarter forced the Lions to play catch-up in the second half.  ACA fought back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to take a four-point lead with a minute to go.  In that final minute, Asheville School hit two deep three-pointers while the Lions missed two crucial free throws. 

A basket by Asheville School in the final seconds eventually tied the score and sent the game into overtime.  In extra time, the Lions missed several shots from the floor and the free-throw line while Asheville School secured the game by going four for four from the charity stripe giving the Blues a 57-54 win. ACA was led in scoring by Collin Mills who poured in 27 points. 

ACA senior Collin Mills scored 27 points, Dec. 8, as the Lions fell to Asheville School for the first time in more than a decade. Photo by Fred McCormick

The loss dropped the Lions to 0-8 on the season.

This week both Lions teams will travel to take on Charlotte Country Day School and Greensboro Day School. 

For more information about Asheville Christian Academy visit www.ashevillechristian.org.  To keep track of Lions follow them on Twitter @ACAAthletics or the ACA Maxpreps page.