Crusaders outlast Soldiers in early season contest
Ocala Christian Academy’s Jordan Raines (13) drives to the basket as he is defended by Temple Christian Academy’s Cameron Carpenter (5) during a basketball game at Ocala Christian Academy in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.
Ocala Christian Academy’s Jordan Raines (13) drives to the basket as he is defended by Temple Christian Academy’s Cameron Carpenter (5) during a basketball game at Ocala Christian Academy in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.
Despite some chippy play, OCA was able to hold off the visiting Soldiers 49-31.
The Crusaders found themselves up by two points at the half, and the game was a back-and-forth affair until midway through the third quarter.
With 4:33 left in the third, all but four TCA players had fouled out of the game. Two players were disqualified via the technical foul.
Senior captain Mikell Dixon was the first player to foul out for TCA, leaving head coach Xaviar Bankhead visibly frustrated on the bench.
With the Soldiers shorthanded, OCA was able to dominate in the paint and on the perimeter.
The Crusaders were led by senior Trey Woods with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Fellow senior Sherrick McGill racked up 11 points and an astounding 19 rebounds in the winning effort.
With the victory, OCA moves to 1-2 on the season. Up next on the schedule is a road contest against Redeemer Christian School on December 6th.
Tipoff for the non-district contest between the Crusaders and the Redeemer Lions is set for 7:00 p.m.
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