Lions suspend play until Jan. 10

ACA women’s basketball team gets back on track with pair of victories

Jonathan Bennett
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
January 4, 2021

The Asheville Christian Academy women’s basketball team resumed its winning ways, taking two out of three games in a Columbia, S.C. tournament to close out 2020. But, as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the region, the school will pause its athletic programs until Sunday, Jan. 10,

The Lions opened the weekend holiday tournament with a 47-23 loss to Providence Day School before taking out Charlotte Christian Academy and the Hammond School to finish 2020. Against Charlotte Christian, the Lions jumped out to a 13-7 first-quarter lead and led by 12 points at the halftime break en route to a 55-41 victory. Emma Larios led the Lions with 21 points while Nandhi Smith added 14 points and 6 rebounds.

In the final game of the Columbia event, the Lions dominated the Hammond School from the start jumping out to a 15-1 first-quarter lead as they cruised to a 70-22 victory. Larios led the way for the Lions again with 19 points, 7 assists and 7 steals.  Elizabeth Harrington chipped in 14 points. 

The women’s basketball team moves into 2021 with a 9-3 overall record.

The men’s team also played three games in a holiday classic but managed only one win. In the first game against Northside Christian Academy, the Lions played well holding a 4-point lead with three minutes to go in the game, but turnovers on four of their last six possessions doomed the Lions, who fell 58-55. 

Senior Collin Mills led the Lions with 19 points followed by DeAnte Green with 14 and Max Rogers with 12 points. The Lions picked up a 58-46 win against Elevation Prep in the second game of the week but played their worst game of the season in their final game of 2020 falling 71-43 to York Prep. 

The Lions will begin 2021 with a 2-12 record.

With basketball activities will be placed on hold temporarily, ACA plans to resume play after Jan. 10. For more information about Asheville Christian Academy visit www.ashevillechristian.org. To track Lion athletics follow them on Twitter @ACAAthletics or the ACA MaxPreps page.