The Fayette Christian School Crusaders boys varsity basketball team won the 2nd annual FCS/McDonald’s of Fayette County Basketball Invitational Saturday afternoon defeating the Pike Christian Lions, 58-42.
Pike County had defeated Cozaddale Baptist in the Saturday morning semifinals, 56-45, to set up a rematch between the two schools.
“I was pleased with the way we played Friday, except for the first quarter and a half,” FCS head coach Gary Shaffer said. “We didn’t play with a whole lot of energy. We won that game. We came on in the last two and a half quarters and played well.
“We played well in the second game against Cozaddale,” Shaffer said.
“Today (Saturday), we did a lot of things, but we were just hurrying,” Shaffer said. “I don’t know if it was nerves, because they just told me they had never been in a situation like this, as far as winning.
“They played a little hurried and did some things that we don’t normally do, especially shooting-wise,” Shaffer said. “We need to play a little bit more under control. We need to play with more poise. The defense was pretty good. It’s a learning experience. They thought the game was a little rough and I did, too. The attitude I want them to have is, I can’t control what somebody else does, but I can control how I react to it. That’s what’s important.”
In the finals the Crusaders trailed 7-6 after the first period before going on a 14-5 run in the second period to take a 20-12 lead at the half.
The Lions (3-4) couldn’t get closer than six points in the second half as both teams turned the ball over six times each giving their opponents matching eight points off turnovers.
Nicholas Epifano for the third straight tournament game went over the 20-point mark putting in 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Spencer Hanusik had 10 points while Lane Hufford and Michael Miller both scored seven points each.
FCS was 14 of 22 from the free throw line and had 29 rebounds against the taller Lions squad who had only 21 rebounds.
The Lions were led by Koby Rothe with 14 points and Austin Bro with six points.
The Lions were 2 of 9 from the charity stripe.
The Crusaders (9-4) have now won five games in a row and six of seven in the month of January. They wrap up the month Tuesday night on the road at Hillsboro Christian Academy.
There will be three games — a junior high boys, girls varsity and then boys varsity. All three games will be on Facebook Live/McDonald’s Fayette Co. Ohio page starting at 5 p.m.
Fayette Christian School sweep their two opponents in Friday night opening round of the 2nd annual FCS/McDonald’s Boys Varsity Basketball Invitational
In the opener they defeated Pike County Christian Academy, 58-42. The contest was tight until with about three minutes left in the third quarter when the Crusaders broke a 30-30 tie and went on a 28-12 run over the last 11 minutes of the contest.
Nicholas Epifano led the Crusaders with 26 points (19 in the first half). Lane Hufford scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half.
Other scorers included: Spencer Hanusik with eight points, Michael Miller with four and Zander Ivey with three points.
With the win the Crusaders then played Cozaddale Baptist out of Goshen. The Crusaders jumped out to a 7-2 lead and were never serious challenged much during the rest of the contest.
Again Nicholas Epifano led the team with 27 points in the 54-39 victory.
Lane Hufford added 11 points, Spencer Hanusik again had eight points, Zander Ivey with six points and Michael Miller with two points.
