Robert Toombs Plays Three Games
The Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders took on Pinewood Christian Academy on Monday of last week splitting those games with the boys winning. On Thursday they hosted Thomas Jefferson Academy and swept the Jaguars. Then on Friday RTCA traveled to Statesboro to face Bulloch Academy with the boys picking up their third win of the week.
Girls vs. Pinewood
Robert Toombs Christian Academy competed against Pinewood Christian Academy on Monday. The Lady Patriots defeated the Lady Crusaders 208. Top scorers for Monday's game were sophomore Ansley Akins with four points and freshman Kylie Acosta with three points. 'Monday's game was a tough loss. PCA is a big rival since they are right down the road from us. The girls played very hard, and we played solid defense. We just couldn't get some of our open shots to fall,' said Coach Jake Wilkinson, Lady Crusader's Head Basketball Coach.
Boys vs. Pinewood
The Crusaders defeated the Patriots 74-55. Top scorers were senior MK McBride and sophomore Drew Vaughn with 16 points each. Senior Tyler Buggs followed with 10 points. 'We came out sloppy in the first quarter and then woke up in the second quarter going on a 25-2 run to open the second. PCA has a really good athletic team. This was their first game back from football playoffs, so we know the next time we play them they will be a different team and we won't be able to come out of the gate sloppy,' stated Coach Adam Callaway, Head Crusader Basketball Coach.
Girls vs. TJ
On Thursday, the Lady Crusaders defeated Thomas Jefferson Academy 46-18. Top scorers for the Lady Crusaders were sophomore Ansley Akins with 17 points and freshman Meredith Durden with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Here's what Coach Wilkinson has to say about the game, 'We started off slow but finally had a few shots fall and found our momentum and never looked back. It was great seeing the girls being more aggressive offensively and playing hard on defense. Senior Morgan Newsome is out for a few weeks with an ankle injury. Therefore, we needed the girls to step up and they did just that. Freshman Kylie Acosta had a great game defensively and senior Ellie Graham and sophomore Ansley Akins stepped up offensively. Newsome is a leader for the team and a four-year starter, so it was good for them to get that win for her and the team.'
Boys vs. TJ
The Crusaders defeated Thomas Jefferson 68-26. Top scorers for the Crusaders were senior MK McBride with 17 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Junior JaShaun Powell had 14 points and 10 rebounds followed by sophomore Aaron Hankerson with 12 points and 6 steals. Coach Callaway said, 'We played pretty well against TJ. They had three players at an All-Star football game, so they were a little shorthanded, but we will be ready for them when we play them again.'
Girls vs. Bulloch
On Friday the Lady Crusaders traveled to Statesboro to take on Bulloch Academy, the number one team in AAA and currently 7-0. Bulloch Academy defeated the Lady Crusaders 51-24. Top scorers for the Lady Crusaders were sophomore Ansley Akins and freshman Meredith Durden with seven points apiece. Coach Wilkinson stated, 'Since last week when we played them, I think we have already gotten better. BA is an athletic and tall team who presses and pushes the ball up the court well. For us to keep them to 15 points under their average score is a huge plus for us. We gave them a tough game and never gave up. We played a tough defensive game; we just need to do a better job of limiting our turnovers and being more aggressive offensively. However, these games help better prepare us for our tournaments in late February. I'm just proud of our growth throughout this stretch of games.”
Boys vs. Bulloch
The Crusaders defeated Bulloch Academy 60-26, taking RTCA to a record of 5-0. Top scorers for the game were senior MK McBride with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Drew Vaughn and seniors Tyler Buggs and Jackson Newton all had 10 points apiece. Vaughn also had seven assists and Buggs had nine rebounds.
Here's what Coach Callaway had to say about the game, 'We played a great defensive game. They came out of the gate ready to go and played the best defense they've played all year. I've been on them during practices about how our defense will push us over the top and they did just that in this game.'
This week RTCA will have a light week as they host Citizens Christian Academy on Friday with tipoff of the girl’s game at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow.
Asnley Akins gets a layup to fall for the Lady Crusaders as they roll over Thomas Jefferson.Photo by Mike Branch
