Basketball Recap: Elijah Taguinod's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Tabernacle Christian over Liberty Christian

Tabernacle Christian and Liberty Christian squared off in some playoff action on Friday, but Tabernacle Christian had to settle for second. The matchup between them and the Liberty Christian Patriots didn't end well, with the Tabernacle Christian Conquerors falling 57-41. While losing is never fun, the Conquerors can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 586th, while the Patriots are ranked 251st).

Tabernacle Christian's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Elijah Taguinod, who posted ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Ben Fox, who scored nine points.

Leading Liberty Christian to victory were Jakeem Bradford and Ian Sterrett. Bradford had 26 points along with eight steals and five assists, while Sterrett earned 18 points and six steals. Sterrett's afternoon made it seven games in a row in which he has scored at least 15 points. Another player making a difference was Khai James, who put up four points in addition to six rebounds and four steals.

Tabernacle Christian has traveled a rocky road recently having lost seven of their last eight contests, which has put a noticeable dent in their 4-19 record this season. As for Liberty Christian, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won eight of their last nine games, which provided a nice bump to their 14-6 record this season.

The two teams are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. Tabernacle Christian will head out to take on Alamance Christian on Monday. As for Liberty Christian, they will be playing at home against Greenville Christian Academy at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Liberty Christian is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 67 points per game this season.