Crusader men drop showcase game
Nov. 15—Grace Christian School began its 2022-23 men's basketball season Saturday afternoon with a game in the Providence Day Showcase in Charlotte. The Crusaders drew NCISAA 3A power Cape Fear Academy of Wilmington, which had opened its season the day before with a game at St. David's School of Raleigh.
The Crusaders hit a dry spell in a second quarter where they were outscored 17-9 by the Hurricanes, which was pretty much the difference in a defense-oriented game that Cape Fear won 48-39.
Grace expects to contend in its first season at the 2A level and in the Raleigh Area Athletic Conference after reaching the NCISAA 1A final four a year ago, but the Crusaders are breaking in several new players. Leading returning scorer Ma'kyi Butler led the team with 20 points against Cape Fear Academy, but didn't get enough help. Kaleb Smith added 10 points, Jimmy Zimmerman six and TJ McGraw three.
Grace's men will face another tough road game tonight when they visit Concord Academy (3-0), another 3A team that played three times last week. This game will be a doubleheader with the Lady Crusaders, who will be playing their first official game of the season following a Saturday scrimmage against High Point Wesleyan. The women's game will pit the reigning 1A state champions (although Grace is now 2A and cannot defend it) against a 3A final four team of a year ago.
