By Thomas Grant Jr.
The best start in school history ended Monday for the Northside Christian Academy girls’ basketball team.
The Lady Crusaders visited Heathwood Hall with a 20-0 overall record and undefeated in SCISA Region 1-4A. This was also the first of a home-at-home matchup in consecutive days.
Boosted by 3-point shooting, the Lady Highlanders took sole possession of first place in a 63-46 victory.
Sabreya Monsato had a game-high 25 points, which included five of their nine 3-pointers. Ole Miss commit Lauren Jacobs added 19 points as Heathwood Hall quickly erased an early 5-0 deficit.
With second-leading scorer Chaelyn Tifre playing with a left ankle injury suffered in the second quarter, the Lady Crusaders tried to stay within striking distance. Evie Godfrey had a team-high 15 points and Campbell Childers added 10.
It was not enough as Heathwood Hall pulled away in the third quarter. The Lady Highlanders scored 22 points in the third quarter, one more than the Lady Crusaders posted in the second half.
While the Northside Christian girls fell to defeat, the boys’ team pulled off a comeback victory. Led by Hilton Dessausure’s 31 points, the Crusaders rallied for the 67-63 victory.
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr
Heathwood Hall scored the first 11 points of the game. Tristian McCleary scored 10 of his team-high 26 points in the first quarter, two more than Northside Christian.
The next two quarters saw Dessausure carry his team to victory. He scored 11 points in the second and third quarters to turn the Crusaders’ deficit into a 48-44 lead.
It was Luke Bohnsack’s turn to lead the Northside Christian offense in the fourth quarter. He scored nine of his 12 points in the final stanza and his defense and rebounding in the paint prevented a late Heathwood Hall run.
With the win, Northside Christian and Heathwood Hall boys were tied for third place entering Tuesday’s rematch.
Feature Photo by Thomas Grant Jr. – Godfreylayup – Northside Christian Academy guard Evie Godfrey goes up for a layup against Heathwood Hall.
