Gavin Fowler controlled the third quarter, and Rajah Mills scored seven points in the final two minutes to lead Heritage Christian Academy to a 67-64 season-opening win over South Haven (TN) Tuesday at Warrior Gym.
The Warriors trailed by as many as nine points in the second quarter and watched as South Haven spread the floor early in the third quarter and built an 11-point lead. That’s when Fowler caught fire. The junior guard dropped a trifecta of 3-pointers and had 11 points to bring the Warriors to within two points at 52-50 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter was a see-saw affair that featured five lead changes. Mills’ 3-pointer with 1:55 left gave the Warriors a 61-60 lead. He added a layup on a run out on the next possession to put the Warriors up 63-60.
After a Patriot turnover, Mills hit one-of-two free throws with 20 seconds left to put the Warriors up 64-60. After a Patriot bucket, Fowler and Mills combined to hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final nine seconds to seal the win.
Fowler finished with a game-high 24 points and added five rebounds. Mills had 12 points and three assists, and Dalton Folz joined them in double figures with 12 points and eight boards. Josh Jones had eight points, and six rebounds, and Austin Crawford had four points and eight rebounds.
The Warriors got a boost from the team’s lone senior in the third quarter as Kam Cunningham came off the bench to score three points, grab three rebounds, and dish out four assists.
Joel Hatcher led South Haven, located in Springfield, TN, with 17 points.
Neither team helped themselves at the free throw line in the game. HCA hit 10-of-24 (42%), and South Haven hit 15-of-28 (54%). The Warriors were able to take advantage of 19 Patriot turnovers in outscoring them 25-20 in the third quarter and 17-12 in the fourth quarter.
South Haven outrebounded HCA 49-37 with Nate Green grabbing 15 rebounds for the Patriots.
HCA (1-0) will host Northside Baptist Christian of Mayfield Thursday night at Warrior Gym.
