Basketball Recap: Allee Jones Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Liberty Christian Academy

Pamlico Christian Academy won the last time they faced Liberty Christian Academy and things went their way on Thursday too. The Pamlico Christian Academy Mariners walked away with a 43-35 victory over the Liberty Christian Academy Heat. Given the Mariners' advantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 209th, while the Heat are ranked 439th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Pamlico Christian Academy to victory, but perhaps none more so than Allee Jones, who posted six points in addition to seven steals and six boards. The dominant performance gave Jones a new career-high in steals. Another player making a difference was Lexie Koontz, who had ten points in addition to six boards and three steals.

Despite the defeat, Liberty Christian Academy saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Hollyn Thigpen went 7 of 13 on her way to 15 points along with five rebounds and three steals. Thigpen is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last 12 games she's played dating back to last season. The team also got some help courtesy of Addison Baker, who put up five points and nine rebounds.

Pamlico Christian Academy's win bumped their record up to 8-6. As for Liberty Christian Academy, their loss was their fifth straight at home dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 0-8.

Pamlico Christian Academy won't have much time to rest: their next contest is against Mount Calvary Christian Academy at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Mount Calvary Christian Academy's defense has only allowed 30 points per game this season, so Pamlico Christian Academy's offense will have their work cut out for them. As for Liberty Christian Academy, they also won't have to wait long for more action: they'll face off against Epiphany at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Liberty Christian Academy is facing Epiphany at the right time seeing as Epiphany is stuck on a three-game losing streak.