After defeating LAMP on Tuesday, ACA’s busy week continued as they hosted Holtville on Thursday and traveled to PCA on Friday. Alabama Chrsitian (2-2) defeated Holtville 49-33 but dropped a hard fought game to PCA, 39-44.
Holtville
The girls team has never lost to Holtville in a series that began back in 1994. Thursday’s contest was the thirty-third meeting and the Eagles have won all 33. ACA started strong as Adalyn Newkirk (8) and Addison Smith (5) combined to score all 13 first quarter points. The visiting Bulldogs hit a free throw with 50 seconds left in the period for their first points. ACA led 13-1 after one. Sam Burgess dialed long distance a couple of times early in the second to help build a 21-2 cushion. The game looked like it would be another typical blowout. The Holtville coach called a timeout with 5:34 left in the half and must have said the right things because his team responded. The visitors ended the half on a 14-3 run to cut the lead at the break to eight points, 24-16. Newkirk had already posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in the first half. The game remained relatively close through the third quarter as Holtville cut the lead to six early in the period. Piper Powers hit two free throws with 1:02 left in the third to give the home team a double digit lead for good. Sam Burgess scored again with 32 seconds left to give ACA a 12-point lead after three. ACA outscored Holtville 14-10 in the fourth for the 49-33 victory.
Adalyn Newkirk was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points. The freshman dominated on the glass with 20 rebounds along with five assists and four steals. Sam Burgess found her touch from outside as she finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Campbell Hammett had eight points and five steals.
PCA
The Eagles knew that the game Friday against PCA would be their toughest test of the week even though the Panthers aren’t nearly as good as they have been over the past decade. The coaching staff put together a good plan for the game, but ACA made too many mistakes down the stretch and ran out of steam late in the game. The Lady Eagles jumped to a 6-0 early lead and led 12-9 at the end of the first thanks to a combined three 3-pointers from Sam Burgess and Adalyn Newkirk. Another Burgess three in the second gave ACA a 17-11 lead matching their biggest lead of the game. PCA gained momentum late in the half and finished with a 13-3 run to take a 24-20 lead into the break.
Once again ACA scored the first six points of the half to retake the lead, 26-24. The score remained close for the rest of the quarter and PCA led 31-28 after three. Adalyn Newkirk’s three tied the game 31-31 and Addison Smith’s steal and scored gave ACA a 33-31 lead with five minutes left in the game. PCA answered with a 9-0 run for their biggest lead of the night, 40-33. The Eagles were able to cut the lead to three with 34 seconds left, but PCA hit its final two free throws for the 44-39 win.
For the second night in a row, Adalyn Newkirk led the offense with 17 points along with 10 rebounds and six steals. Sam Burgess scored nine points while Addison Smith finished with seven points, five rebounds, and three steals.