Final Boys Basketball:Vandalia Christian School 63, Caldwell Academy 50
(Bryson Gordon GreensboroSports.com reporting)
Vandalia Christian vs Caldwell Academy
The 2015-2016 home schedule for the Vikings began on Thursday night against the Caldwell Academy Eagles.
The Vikings (6-4) got off to a steady start after 2 tournaments, including the Oak Ridge Military Tournament, and the Carolina Classic in Durham. The Eagles (2-1) are coming off of wins against Guilford Day, and North Hills Christian School.
The Vikings Coached by Ryan Nelson upended the Eagles at Caldwell last year by the score of 61-56, and the Eagles were looking to avenge that loss. Both teams came out wanting to run, but both teams also came out pressing. Caldwell jumped out 4-0, behind a couple of Steven Hamadi layups , then Vandalia proceeded to go on a 16-3 run, sparked by 3 deep balls from Devin Resper, making it 16-7. Tyler Crook hit a deep 3 at the end of the first to put the Vikings up 10, 21-11.
Early on in the second quarter, Noah Dunn came up with a couple blocks in the paint, forcing Caldwell to shoot outside a little more. Halfway through the second quarter, the Vikings had extended the lead to 28-16, making it in total, since being down 4-0, an 28-12 run.
The Vikings ended the half strong, behind a couple steals and layups, making it 34-17 at half. Devin Resper and Noah Dunn really thrived in the first half, getting shots at will, while Steven Hamadi put up the best performance through 2 quarters for the Eagles.
In the second half, Noah Dunn began the half by shooting 6 free throws in the first 3 minutes 2 of them following a tech by Zach Wilkens, and the Vikings extended their lead to 42-22 by the 5 minute mark, And the Vikings were in the bonus at that time.
The Eagles starting to spark a little run of their own, coming up with a few steals and layups, and pulling within 13, before a Caleb Stone layup, and a Matt Hobbs 3 pushed it back to 18 to end the third, as the Vikings led 56-38.
With 4 and a half minutes left in the fourth, the Eagles started fighting back, forcing Coach Nelson to call a quick timeout, the Eagles were not going down without a fight. The Eagles and Vikings went back and forth for a couple possessions before Resper drove to the cup for an and-1 to put the Vikings up by 15. Covington Carlson went to the line with 2 minutes to go with a chance to make it an 11 point game, but missed the front end of a one and one.
The Vikings never looked back after that, holding on to a 13 point lead to win, 63-50.
VCS 21-11 after 1
VCS 34-17 half
VCS 56-38 after 3
VCS 63-50 after 4
VCS scoring:
Devin Resper- 22 points, 3/4 from 3, 4 assists
Noah Dunn- 15 points 4/8 field, 7/8 free throw
Matt Hobbs- 14 points, 4/4 from field, 2/4 from 3
Caldwell scoring:
Zach Wilkins- 9 points
Covington Carlson- 8 points
Ikezu- 7 points