Crossroads-Cape Fear games showcase scorers
Jan. 16—HENDERSON
Crossroads Christian's doubleheader sweep of Cape Fear Christian Academy on Friday saw some NBA-style big scoring nights from players from both schools.
In the girls' game, the Colts' stifling defense kept the visitors off balance and out of rhythm the entire game. The result was a 68-22 Crossroads win to run the team's record to 15-2 and 4-0 in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association's Mid-Carolina Conference.
Sophomore Elyssa Phillips led the Colts' attack, scoring 31 points.
Phillips accounted for 15 of the 27 points Crossroads scored in the first quarter, with most of them coming immediately after the Colts forced a turnover. She usually set up shop on the right wing, there exercising the choice to drive to the hoop or step back for a 3-point attempt.
Her onslaught continued in the second quarter, where she scored 11 of the team's 16 points. She added 5 more in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was played under the mercy rule's running clock.
Phillips went nine of 14 on 2-point attempts (64%) and two of 10 on 3-point tries (20%).
She was a perfect seven for seven from the line.
Crossroads senior Isreal Thorpe also scored in double figures, tallying 19 points, with 8 of those finding the bottom of the net in the decisive first quarter.
For Cape Fear Christian, Perri Caroline Ennis topped the scoresheet with 15 points.
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In the nightcap, Crossroads was able to force the pace, with the result being a run-and-gun affair the Colts won 85-75 to give them a 15-6 record overall and 4-0 in conference.
Senior John Henderson Jr. led the way for the home team, scoring 29 points on an effort that like Phillips he built from the wing on in.
Cape Fear Christian had size on the interior but was short on experience — its key rim protectors were eighth-grader Lathan Wilborn and freshman Elijah Ellis — and so the 6-6 Henderson was generally able to get the shots from the floor he wanted.
He also took 14 free throws and made 10 of them (71%).
Junior Ben Gladieux scored 18 points and senior D'Markus Tucker added 14.
Each had a first-half dunk to entertain the Homecoming Night crowd, with Gladieux swooping in from the wing for his and Tucker getting a chin-up off a down-the-middle drive.
Reserve senior Sam Boyd rounded out the Colts in double figures, scoring 11 points, all coming in the second half.
But the night's top scoring performance belonged to Cape Fear junior Zeke Brock, who tallied 43 points for the visitors.
Like Henderson, Brock was consistent from quarter to quarter.
He knocked down a quartet of 3-pointers and was 11 for 13 from the free-throw line.
Eighth-grader Brandon Surles also scored in double figures for the Eagles, with his 19 points including a pair of 3-pointers.
Contact Ray Gronberg at rgronberg@hendersondispatch.com or by phone at 252-436-2850.
