SA boys dominate Crusaders
Published 7:08 am Friday, December 24, 2010
Raider Austin Foster charges past a First Baptist defender on his way toward the basket. - Andrew Faison | Tidewater News
BY ANDREW FAISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
andrew.faison@yahoo.com
Blake Drewry shoots one of his six 3-point shots on the evening. -- Andrew Faison | Tidewater News
COURTLAND–The Southampton Academy boys’ basketball team dominated on both sides of the ball during its 91-57 win over the First Baptist Crusaders of Suffolk Tuesday night.
It was the first win for Raiders Coach David Gibbs, who is in his first year at the helm.
“First win is always the sweetest win,” Gibbs said. “First win feels great; the guys are extremely happy and we build from here.”
The Raiders, who are 1-3 for the season, were led by Blake Drewry, who scored 22 points with 6 shots from behind the 3-point arch.
The Raiders scored 57 points in the second half. Storm Gray had 16 points on the evening with 11 points coming in the second half, while Matt Nixon and Garrett Smith both scored 10 points in the second half.
The Crusaders were led by Colby Toler, who had 16 points.
“Tonight is the first night that we have made shots for an entire four quarters,” said Gibbs. “And I thought defensively, I don’t know what our turnovers were, we played together as a basketball team, and proved that when you do that, you are a very tough team to beat.”
The Raiders took the lead early in the first quarter off consecutive 2-point baskets by Austin Foster.
Southampton continued its dominance on the offensive side of the ball in the first half with an 8-point run to end the half.
“The guys that I have coached in the past, all of which are playing now, are accustomed to winning and know what it takes to win,” Gibbs said. “My thoughts are that I want to continue doing what we are doing. We’re moving the ball, we’re playing as a team, and if we continue doing that, you are going to have down-time, but as a team, you will work your way out of it.”
The Raiders play on Monday, Dec. 27, and Tuesday, Dec. 28, at home in the Southampton Academy Christmas Classic. The boys’ team will play host to Alliance Christian, Banner Christian and Brunswick Academy.
“I am looking forward to the Christmas tournament,” said Gibbs. “It is the first time in a long time that we have hosted it (at least 20 years). We are always positive, we will take a win and look at all of the things that we can do better, work on them tomorrow, give them good thoughts going into Christmas, see them Sunday, and go all over again.”
The SA junior varsity boys beat First Baptist 44-9 on Tuesday.