Less than a week ago, Christ School varsity basketball had suffered the indignity of a running clock in a 94-59 mercy rule loss at Rabun Gap (Ga.).
Tuesday was a different ballgame entirely.
The Greenies teetered early, falling behind by as many as 15 points in the first half. But this time they steadied themselves and got double figures from Zack Myers ’24 (26 points), Drew Redmond ’21 (12), and Riggs Handy ’23 (10) to outlast the Eagles, 78-75, inside Mebane Field House.
“It’s a testament to the kids on this team,” Christ School coach Matt Cioce ‘13 said.
“They took it on the chin at Rabun Gap and learned from it. I’m so proud of their work ethic and their intensity tonight. We’ve still got a long way to go. But we’re trying to build a winning culture here, something that is sustainable, and these guys are paving the way right now."
A running clock is utilized in North Carolina high school basketball when one team leads by 40 or more points at halftime or at any juncture in the second half. Last Wednesday’s blowout loss at Rabun Gap was apparently all the motivation the Greenies (3-8, 1-2) needed for the Carolinas Athletic Association rematch.
Eagles junior Nate Brafford almost singlehandedly won Tuesday’s game for Rabun Gap (12-7, 2-2) with a game-high 51 points.
But the Greenies proved to have a stronger supporting cast down the stretch. A floater from Drew gave Christ School its first lead of the second half with 1:41 to play in the third quarter. Riggs drained a pair of free throws with 0.3 seconds remaining in the game to ice it.
The rest of the scorers for Christ School were Quinton Cancel ’23 (nine points), Donavon Fitzgerald ’22 (six), Gabe Berardi ’22 (five), Ty Dixon ’23 (three), Ty Besses ’22 (two), Carter Compton ’24 (two), and Jackson Fender ’21 (one).
Next up for the Greenies is Friday's 6 p.m. game at Asheville School. The Blues won the first meeting, 74-68, on Dec. 12.