Heritage Christian Academy played with a script Monday that several Kentucky high schools expect to see in 2021. The Warriors took the court with one practice under their belt after a two week COVID layoff.
HCA struggled to find its rhythm in a 51-43 loss at South Haven, Tenn. – their first in three games this season.
The Warriors were saddled with early foul trouble that led to some passiveness on the glass. South Haven outrebounded HCA 28-16 in the first half alone and 44-28 for the game.
South Haven’s struggles to make baskets kept the Warriors in the game. The Patriots (2-0) shot just 20-percent from the field (8-of-39) in the first half and 25-percent for the game.
Despite the rebounding difference, HCA led 22-21 at halftime as Matt Wills scored 12 points, and Triston Folz added eight.
The Warriors took a 32-29 lead midway through the third quarter, but South Haven responded with an 11-0 run to take the lead for good.
HCA got as close as 48-43 with 25 seconds left but got no closer.
Folz finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Wills scored all 12 of his points in the first half, and Trenton Hayes added five points and seven assists.
The Warriors suffered through off nights from their two leading scorers. Weston Powell picked up early foul trouble and fouled out with 3:09 left. Two of the fouls were technical fouls for minimal protests on calls against him. He had two points and seven rebounds.
Carlos Robles scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter but struggled with seven turnovers.
South Haven was 16-of-29 at the free throw line, while Heritage Christian was 5-of-13.
Heritage Christian had a single practice Saturday before Monday’s game due to school being ordered out by the state. A Thursday game at Northside Baptist has been canceled. The Warriors are scheduled to return to action on Dec. 17 against Community Christian of Tennessee.
South Haven got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Alex Martinez and nine points and 13 rebounds from Ben Sorto.
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 11 11 10 11—43
South Haven 14 7 14 16—51
HCA (2-1) – Folz 13, Wills 12, Robles 9, Hayes 5, Gibson 2, Powell 2
South Haven (2-0) – Martinez 12, Deng 10, Sorto 9, Crawley 9, Atkinson 9, Robertson 2
