Adams County Christian School’s varsity boys’ basketball team overcame a challenging start to secure their first victory in the MAIS District 3-3A, defeating Riverfield Academy 38-36 on January 9, 2024. Following a disheartening first half, the Rebels rallied from a nine-point deficit at halftime, showcasing resilience and determination in front of their home crowd at the Bub Ulmer Gym.
The first half was far from ideal for the Rebels, who struggled offensively and found themselves trailing 14-5 at halftime. Despite several open shooting opportunities, the team could not capitalize, which left them in a tough position as they headed into the second half. “Our shots just were not falling in the first half. We had some open looks,” said ACCS head coach Rick Fife.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Rebels adjusted their defensive strategy, which proved pivotal in the game’s outcome. They began the second half with renewed energy, outscoring Riverfield 15-13 in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to just seven points by the start of the final period.
The fourth quarter saw a marked improvement in both defense and offense for the Rebels. Trevin Barnes and Landry Tyson led the charge, contributing significantly to a game-altering 18-9 scoring run. With just eight seconds remaining, Barnes secured the victory by sinking two crucial free throws. Fife noted, “Our defense led to some easy transition baskets in the third and fourth quarters. We rebounded better, and that made a difference.”
Barnes finished the game as the leading scorer for the Rebels with 13 points, while Tyson closely followed with 12 points. Other contributors included Lane Pirkey with seven points, Sai Panchel with four points, and Desmond Hammett adding two points. With this victory, the Rebels improved their overall record to 2-7 and sit at 1-2 in District 3-3A. Fife emphasized the importance of this win, stating, “It was big coming back from Christmas. It also holds significance because the district only takes the top four teams for South State.”
Lady Rebels Fall to Riverfield Academy
In the girls’ matchup, the ACCS Lady Rebels faced a tough challenge against the Riverfield Academy Lady Raiders, ultimately losing 43-32. The Lady Rebels managed to keep pace with their opponents for three quarters, entering the final period down by just one point at 30-29. However, the game slipped away as they were outscored 13-3 in the fourth quarter.
Lady Rebels head coach Marcus Walton acknowledged the team’s struggles in the final moments. “Riverfield is a very well-coached team. We started out well but wore down and didn’t execute. We had too many turnovers,” he said.
Isley Walton led the Lady Rebels with eight points, while D’Kiyah Davis added seven points. Maddie Donaldson contributed five points, and Sophia Carter chipped in with four points. Riverfield’s Audrey Weatherly stood out with a game-high 16 points, supported by Carlyle Shelton with 11 points and Evie Eldridge with six points. Following this defeat, the Lady Rebels’ record dropped to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in district play.
Looking ahead, both the boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to Vicksburg for matchups against St. Aloysius High School on January 12, 2024, with the girls’ game scheduled for 18:00 and the boys’ at 19:30. These upcoming games present crucial opportunities for both teams to build momentum in their district campaigns.
