Basketball Recap: Dominic Cramer's Big Game Can't Quite Lead John Paul the Great Academy over Faith Training Christian Academy

John Paul the Great Academy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their sixth straight loss. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 44-40 heartbreaker at the hands of Faith Training Christian Academy. The Guardians lost against Faith Training Christian Academy in their previous head to head back in November of 2023, too, but the margin this time around was much closer than the 53-27 score last time.

John Paul the Great Academy lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Dominic Cramer, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 11 boards. That's the most rebounds Cramer has posted since back in January. Evan Sonnier was another key player, putting up eight points and eight rebounds.

Even though they lost, John Paul the Great Academy smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 21 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in four consecutive matches.

Faith Training Christian Academy was led to victory by Zane Lewis and Zach Taylor. Lewis posted 11 points and three steals, while Taylor had eight points. Lewis has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last three times he's played. Another player making a difference was Jacob Sumrall, who put up nine points and four steals.

John Paul the Great Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 4-8. As for Faith Training Christian Academy, their victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 7-10.

John Paul the Great Academy will get a bit of extra time to process the loss as their next game is a ways off. They'll take on Shreveport HomeSchool Sports at 6:30 p.m. on January 3, 2025. John Paul the Great Academy has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last four games. As for Faith Training Christian Academy, they didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 55-35 defeat against Bishop Noland Episcopal Day on the 16th.