Basketball Recap: Jafet Valencia's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Evergreen Christian over Lanham Christian

Evergreen Christian was the 70-69 winner over Lanham Christian when they last played one another back in November of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Evergreen Christian Eagles came up short against the Lanham Christian Lions on Saturday, falling 65-40. The game marked the Eagles' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Evergreen Christian lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Jafet Valencia, who posted six points along with 11 boards and three blocks. That's the most blocks Valencia has posted since back in December of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Jackson Britt, who put up nine points and five rebounds.

Lanham Christian had a senior duo take command as Naz Joy almost dropped a double-double on 19 points and nine boards and Dominic Carr dropped a double-double on 15 points and 15 rebounds. Carr is on a roll when it comes to boards, as he's now pulled down 11 or more in the last nine games he's played. Jamar Payen was another key player, putting up 11 points and eight rebounds.

Evergreen Christian has traveled a rocky road recently having lost four of their last five matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 17-9 record this season. As for Lanham Christian, their victory was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 14-4.

Evergreen Christian and Lanham Christian should be looking forward to their upcoming games as both have a sizable advantage in their respective state rankings. Evergreen Christian (ranked 36th) will meet Covenant Christian Academy (ranked 284th) at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Evergreen Christian is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 67.5 points per game this season. Similarly, Lanham Christian will face off against Calverton at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday up 222 places (28 vs. 250).