Basketball Game Preview: Grace Academy Lions vs. Jackson Day Mariners

The Grace Academy Lions will face off against the Jackson Day Mariners at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Grace Academy knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past five matchups -- so hopefully Jackson Day likes a good challenge.

Last Monday, Grace Academy strolled past Socrates Academy with points to spare, taking the game 80-63. The victory was all the more spectacular given the Lions' disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 326th, while the Owls are ranked 72nd).

Tyrez Neal

Points (Career)

02/03/25 @ Socrates Academy	21
01/31/25 @ Lee Park Prep	15
01/30/25 vs Lab University Prep Varsity	12
01/09/25 vs Charlotte Lab School	12
12/19/24 @ Varsity Opponent	12

Grace Academy found their leader in sophomore Tyrez Neal, who posted 21 points and seven assists. Those 21 points gave Neal a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Carson Payne, who had 13 points and four steals.

Grace Academy was working as a unit and finished the game with 24 assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive contests.

Jackson Day hasn't had quite the year their fans were hoping for to this point, but back-to-back wins may be a sign of good things to come. They skirted past Sugar Creek Charter 63-60. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Mariners have posted against the Wildcats since January 15, 2019.

Grace Academy's record now sits at 18-6. As for Jackson Day, their record now sits at 4-16.