Basketball Recap: Lofton Looney's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Tri-Cities Christian over Blue Ridge

Tri-Cities Christian was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They opened the new year with a less-than-successful 65-57 loss to the Blue Ridge Barons. While losing is never fun, the Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 92nd in Tennessee, while the Barons are ranked second in Virginia).

Tri-Cities Christian lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Lofton Looney, who went 10 for 23 on his way to 19 points. Looney has been hot, having also posted two or more steals the last seven times he's played. Justin Kingbowa was another key player, going 8 for 20 on his way to 12 points and six rebounds.

Blue Ridge got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Dreylan Creasy-Quirindoongo out in front who posted 17 points and seven rebounds. Lambert Brokamp was another key player, putting up eight points and four steals.

Tri-Cities Christian's defeat dropped their record down to 14-9. As for Blue Ridge, the victory keeps them at an undefeated 16-0.

Tri-Cities Christian wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next match, an 82-57 loss against Webb on the 7th. As for Blue Ridge, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 65-41 win against Miller School of Albemarle on the 9th.