The Mercer Christian Academy Cavaliers waltzed into their match Thursday with three straight wins but they left with four. They enjoyed a cozy 54-39 victory over Jefferson Christian Academy. Given Mercer Christian Academy's advantage in MaxPreps's basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 81st in West Virginia, while Jefferson Christian Academy is ranked 309th in Virginia), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Mercer Christian Academy to victory, but perhaps none more so than MJ Patton, who scored 21 points along with four steals. The game was Patton's 12th in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Chance Watkins, who dropped a double-double on 13 points and ten rebounds.
Mercer Christian Academy's win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 6-6. As for Jefferson Christian Academy, they are on a five-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-6.
Mercer Christian Academy will look to defend their home court on Saturday against Mount Hope Christian Academy at 4:00 p.m. One thing working in Mount Hope Christian Academy's favor is that they have posted big point totals in their last three matchups. As for Jefferson Christian Academy, they will head out on the road to face off against Pipestem Christian Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hopefully Pipestem Christian Academy focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 23 on Tuesday.