The Heritage Christian Academy boys’ basketball team lost to Highlands Latin 56-44 on Saturday afternoon, slipping to 0-1 in league play. The Warriors now stand at 4-2 overall, but have lost two straight. Highlands improve to 5-1 in league play and 9-3 overall.
The Warriors started quickly, jumping out to a 8-0 lead over the first four minutes of the game, but were outscored 14-4 the rest of the way and trailed 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. HCA struggled to get defensive stops, and found themselves down 30-21 with just over three minutes remaining in the half, before closing the gap to 31-25 at the break.
Junior Dalton Folz led the Warriors with 13 points at the half, followed by junior Austin Crawford with 5. Juniors Rajah Mills and Dakota Brake had 2 each.
HCA began the third quarter on a 5-1 run, while showing defensive improvement. Crawford connected on back-to back three pointers to pull the Warriors to within 1 at 34-33 with 4:09 left in the quarter. Less than a minute later, a Folz free throw tied the game at 34, and the teams headed into the fourth quarter in a 36-36 deadlock.
A minute into the final frame, a Dakota Brake three point play gave HCA a 39-38 lead, their first since the opening quarter. The teams traded baskets and free throws over the next few minutes, before the Highlanders opened up a 46-42 lead with just under three minutes to play. Less than a minute later, Folz picked up his fifth foul and the Warriors became unraveled, repeatedly turning the ball over. The Highlanders took full advantage, pushing their lead out to 51-42 with a minute and a half left, before going on to win 56-44.
Folz led the Warriors in scoring with 18 before fouling out, followed by Crawford’s 10. Brake had 6, and Mills finished with 4. Josh Jones scored 3, and the lone senior, Kam Cunningham chipped in a basket.
The Warriors have a week of practice before returning to the court on Friday, hosting 8-1 Oak Ridge.