Two dominant players in Rylie Allen and Clara Hyke are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Christian Learning Center Mustangs will head out on the road to take on the Clinton Christian Academy Patriots at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Christian Learning Center is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt want to keep things rolling.
In what's become a running theme this season, Christian Learning Center gave their fans yet another huge victory back in December of 2023. They blew past Plaza Heights Christian Academy 55-33. Given Christian Learning Center's advantage in MaxPreps's basketball rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 62nd in Kansas, while Plaza Heights Christian Academy is ranked 251st in Missouri), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Allen was her usual excellent self, scoring 13 points along with seven steals. She is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last four games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Micah Bean, who scored six points along with 15 rebounds and two steals.
Meanwhile, Clinton Christian Academy put the finishing touches on their sixth blowout victory of the season on Tuesday. They blew past Varsity Opponent 55-25 on the road. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory Clinton Christian Academy has posted since November 28, 2023.
Hyke continued her habit of posting crazy stat lines, dropping a double-double on 22 points and ten rebounds. Another player making a difference was Carissa Compton, who scored 11 points along with two steals.
Christian Learning Center pushed their record up to 9-0 with that victory, which was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season. As for Clinton Christian Academy, they have been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests, which provided a nice bump to their 9-4 record this season.
This contest is one where the number of possessions is likely to be a big factor: Christian Learning Center have been smashing the glass this season, having only averaged 41.2 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Clinton Christian Academy struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 47.7 rebounds per game. Given these competing strengths, it'll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
Christian Learning Center beat Clinton Christian Academy 55-42 in their previous matchup back in December of 2023. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Hyke, who dropped a double-double on 29 points and 25 rebounds. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Christian Learning Center still be able to contain him? There's only one way to find out.
