Basketball Recap: Columbia Academy Drops Highest Score of Season Against Grace Christian Academy

It may have taken overtime to finish the job, but Columbia Academy ultimately got the result they hoped for on Friday. They secured a 72-66 W over the Grace Christian Academy Lions. The Bulldogs' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.

Columbia Academy's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jeremy Jackson, who dropped a double-double on 21 points and 13 rebounds. Jackson is on a roll when it comes to boards, as he's now pulled down nine or more in the last three games he's played. Cooper Estep was another key player, going 8 of 11 on his way to 18 points and eight rebounds.

Bulldogs

Offensive Rebounds

02/16/24 vs The Webb School	17
12/01/23 vs Middle Tennessee Christian	16
01/09/24 @ Battle Ground Academy	15
12/15/23 vs Fayetteville	15
01/03/25 vs Grace Christian Academy	14

Columbia Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've posted since back in February of 2024.

Grace Christian Academy's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Ty Gibbs, who went 9 of 15 on his way to 20 points and seven rebounds, and Ford Deshazo, who went 7 of 17 on his way to 16 points along with five boards and three blocks. The team also got some help courtesy of Cutler Stephens, who posted ten points.

The victory (which was Columbia Academy's third in a row) raised their record to 5-7. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 59.3 points per game. As for Grace Christian Academy, their defeat was their fourth straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 7-7.

Columbia Academy and Grace Christian Academy could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Tennessee Rankings. Columbia Academy (ranked 151st) will meet Providence Christian Academy (ranked fourth) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Grace Christian Academy (ranked 143rd) will meet The Webb School (ranked 48th) at 7:30 p.m. on January 11th.