Basketball Recap: HOPE Academy Starts Season with Defeat at Home

HOPE Academy unfortunately couldn't capitalize on their home-court advantage in their season opener. They took a 72-53 bruising from the Sheets Memorial Christian Eagles on Monday.

HOPE Academy lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Eli Budgick, who posted 22 points. Another player making a difference was Zeke Shelton, who had 18 points.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Sheets Memorial Christian to victory, but perhaps none more so than Jude Howell, who shot 86% from beyond the arc on his way to 26 points and seven steals. Howell is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed three or more in each of the last five games he's played dating back to last season. Finn Everhart was another key player, dropping a double-double with 18 points and ten boards.

Coming up, HOPE Academy will head out on the road to challenge Grace Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Sheets Memorial Christian, they will venture away from home to face off against Cornerstone Christian Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.