Basketball Recap: Excel Christian Academy Falls Despite Big Games from Valerie Stapelton and Paydan Handlin

If Excel Christian Academy was feeling good fresh off their 53-26 takedown of Christian Home Educators last Tuesday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Excel Christian Academy Eagles fell 43-36 to the Joshua Christian Knights on Thursday.

Despite the loss, Excel Christian Academy had strong showings from Paydan Handlin, who posted nine points, and Valerie Stapelton, who put up eight points.

Joshua Christian got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Addyson Archer out in front who went 6 for 12 on her way to 14 points along with six assists and six boards. Archer has been hot recently, having also posted five or more steals the last three times she's played. Riley Hanks was another key player, dropping a double-double on 13 points and ten rebounds.

Excel Christian Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 5-8. As for Joshua Christian, they are on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five matches, which provided a nice bump to their 5-2 record this season.

Excel Christian Academy wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 48-14 victory against Victory Christian Academy on the 17th. Joshua Christian has also already played their next game, a 44-25 win against Fellowship Baptist Academy on the 17th.