After two games on the road, Concord Academy is heading back home. They will take on the Gaston Christian Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Concord Academy posted their biggest victory since November 16, 2023 on Tuesday. They put the hurt on SouthLake Christian Academy with a sharp 77-52 win. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win Concord Academy has posted against SouthLake Christian Academy since January 31, 2020.
Concord Academy's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jake Benham, who went 6 for 11 from beyond the arc en route to 20 points and 1 assist. Sean Birmingham was another key contributor, scoring 20 points along with six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Gaston Christian got the win against Hickory Grove Christian on Tuesday by a conclusive 68-43. The match was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 37-14.
Gaston Christian found their leader in underclassman Cameron Newman, who scored 20 points along with four steals. Another player making a difference was Joe Rhyne, who scored 14 points.
Concord Academy's victory ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 12-14. As for Gaston Christian, their victory was their 11th straight at home, which pushed their record up to 12-12.
Friday's game is shaping up to be a scrappy match: Concord Academy have been smashing the glass this season, having only averaged 25.3 rebounds per game. It's a different story for Gaston Christian, though, as they've been averaging only 32 rebounds per game. Given Concord Academy's sizeable advantage in that area, Gaston Christian will need to find a way to close that gap.
Concord Academy came up short against Gaston Christian in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, falling 70-62. Will Concord Academy have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get analysis of the match and other basketball content.
