Skill mixed with luck can be a lethal combination. The Little Greenies called on both in the final minute Thursday to keep their perfect basketball season intact.
Eighth grader Eyob Gill ’24 led all Christ School scorers with 12 points, including a pair of free throws with 0.8 seconds to go. However, the team was only in position to outlast Summit School, 39-37, after Matthew Hammel ’23 (11 points) had tied the game 16 seconds earlier by banking in a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
James Mennell ’24 added nine points, John Watson Simon ‘24 scored five, and Dawson Reeves ’24 had four. Eyob was not only part of the late-game dramatics, he swished a 3-pointer just before halftime that broke a 17-17 tie.
Christ School (5-0) controlled much of the action from that point on and led its opponent from Winston-Salem, N.C., by as many as seven points in the second half. The visiting Eagles (1-4) gained the momentum down the stretch, but could not hold on. A turnover on the inbounds pass led to the Little Greenies’ last possession and Eyob was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer.
Varsity basketball 68, Melbourne Crocs 65
Australia’s Melbourne Crocs are touring the United States and sought a victory in the Greenie Dome as a souvenir Thursday night.
Christ School had other ideas, putting four players in double figures for a 68-65 home win – Drew Redmond ’21 (14 points), Justice Ajogbor ’20 (14 points), Adam Keever ’20 (11 points), and De’Ante Green ’22 (10 points). Charlie Browder ’21 chipped in eight points. Zack Myers ’23 added six, as Ty Besses ’22 (three) and Ray Faison ’20 (two) rounded out the scorers for the Greenies (4-8).
Christ School held a comfortable 50-42 lead entering the fourth quarter but was outscored by a 23-18 margin in the final eight minutes. The Greenies return to Carolinas Athletic Association play on Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Asheville School.
Balanced scoring has been the team’s signature so far – Justice (13.5 points per game), De’Ante (12.8 ppg.), and Drew (9.8 ppg.) are all averaging double figures, or close to it.
Photos from both the Little Greenies and varsity games have been posted to Facebook.com/ChristSchool.org.