Basketball Game Preview: Lanier Christian Academy Lightning vs. Cherokee Christian Warriors

The Lanier Christian Academy Lightning will face off against the Cherokee Christian Warriors at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Lanier Christian Academy knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past 24 games -- so hopefully Cherokee Christian likes a good challenge.

Lanier Christian Academy is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 55-52 win over Horizon Christian Academy. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Lightning have posted since January 23, 2024.

Xavier Barber

Points

02/07/25 vs Horizon Christian Academy	20
02/04/25 vs Scholars Guild Academy	9
02/01/25 @ Providence Christian Academy	10
01/30/25 @ Trinity Prep	17
01/28/25 vs Killian Hill Christian	4
+ 13 more games

Lanier Christian Academy's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Xavier Barber, who almost dropped a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds. That's the most points Barber has posted since back in December of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Mekhi Barber, who earned 18 points in addition to eight boards and three steals.

Lanier Christian Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Cherokee Christian didn't have too much trouble with Cornerstone Prep Academy on Tuesday as they won 70-52.

Cherokee Christian's victory bumped their record up to 7-15. As for Lanier Christian Academy, they are on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 20-5 record this season.

Lanier Christian Academy strolled past Cherokee Christian in their previous meeting back in December of 2024 by a score of 78-62. Will Lanier Christian Academy repeat their success, or does Cherokee Christian have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.