RCS finishes off Class 1A champions with ending 13-3 run

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

It was a clash of champions at Reserve Christian on Tuesday – and neither the Class C champion Eagles nor the Class 1A champions Christian Life was backing down through 28 minutes of play.

Up until the late stages of the game, neither team had established more than a five-point lead at any point. But the Eagles were the first team to truly make a move. They outscored the Warriors 13-3 over the final 3:30 of the game, on their way to a 54-43 win.

“It’s huge for our team to beat a team like Christian Life,” said Reserve Christian Coach Timmy Byrd. “We knew it would be a war.”

As Reserve Christian (10-0) led 41-40, Matt Cali made a basket off an assist from Kyle McClue. Then Chris Rousell scored and drew a foul on a fast break, converting a three-point play to make it 46-40.

Christian Life’s Timile Lewis brought his team within four after two foul shots, but McClue broke the Warriors’ (0-1) backs with a three pointer with two minutes left, making the score 49-42. The Eagles went 5-6 from the line to close out the game.

Chris Rousell scored 16 to lead the Eagles. Eddrin McCain added 13 points, and Kaliff Gastearl notched nine points.

Christian Life was led by Langston Galloway and Stuart Pirri who each scored nine.

McCain felt that his team’s experience played a key role in the win.

“We’re a little bit more experienced. They lost three Division I players from last year,” said McCain. “We showed a lot of hustle and heart, which ended up as the difference.”

The game was a physical, defensive affair that kept scoring down, particularly in the first half. Reserve Christian led 8-7 after one quarter, and the score was tied at 16 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Christian Life found its outside shot, hitting three three-point buckets. The Eagles kept pace, hitting two of their own. After a Rousell bucket put Reserve Christian up by three, 36-33, a Galloway three tied the game.

Rousell answered with a three of his own, and Gastearl two made it 41-36. But the Warriors responded when Corey Self made a three to cut the lead to two. A Patrick Robinson foul shot made it 41-40.

“I think this is another step to greater things,” said McCain. “I feel better at this point of the year about this team than I did last season at the same time. We’re about to start something great.”

Last Friday, the Eagles notched a victory in the finals of the Jehovah Jireh tournament, by defeating host Jehovah Jireh 80-61.