It was a tough week for the Winston Academy Patriots on the basketball hardwood as the two teams took on some tough competition in and out of district play.
The Lady Patriots were the only team to get a win during the week as they were able to take a district victory over Winona Christian. WA also dropped ball games to district foe Oak Hill Academy and Leake Academy.
On the road against Oak Hill, the Lady Patriots got into a bit of a hole early and saw the lead grow before dropping the 50-39 ball game. Julia Gregory led the team in scoring with nine points.
Gregory had one of her best games as a hooper when the team met with Winona Christian and got the bounce back win. A 22-point second frame from WA led by 12 points from Gregory helped springboard the Lady Pats to a blowout 57-20 win over the Lady Stars.
After scoring 19 points in the first quarter, WA added another huge second to build the lead to 43-9 at the half and coach Gary Beals was able to clear the bench for the second half. Gregory finished with 21 big points in the game as she dropped 18 of those in a monster first half. Gregory connected on four 3-pointers in the win as well.
Braley Dickerson also notched double figures in the win as she finished with 10 points.
Dickerson also got to 10 points on Saturday at the Winston Classic against Leake, but scoring was tough to come by for the Lady Pats against the powerhouse Lady Rebels. Leake outscored WA 26-9 in the first half and kept the foot on the gas for an even bigger second half on the way to a 60-26 win.
The week’s action has WA sitting at 8-7 now on the season with a 2-1 start in district play.
The boys team dropped all three of their contests during the week beginning with a 62-49 defeat to district foe Oak Hill. After an even first period, WA gave up 19 points in the second quarter to trail 28-19 at the break. After cutting into that lead with a big third quarter and going into the fourth trailing just 41-37, WA let guard AJ Jones get hot as he had an incredible four 3-pointers and scored 16 points that frame alone to help the team pull away in the win.
Omar Scott led the team with 24 points and he had a 10 in the first half and another 14 in the second half.
Bryson Wright took his turn at the big game against Winona Christian scoring 20 points last week in that showdown, but there wasn’t enough scoring elsewhere as WA would fall 45-36.
Against Leake in the Winston Classic, WA gave up 27 points in the second quarter and never scored over eight points in a quarter in a 65-24 blowout loss. Scott led the team with 12 points.
The WA boys fell to 2-8 on the year and 0-3 in district play with the trio of losses.
Both teams will have the week off this week to enjoy Christmas before going back to work next week to take part in the Columbus Christian Tournament beginning December 27.
