The Heritage Christian Academy girls’ basketball team took the court for the first time this season on Tuesday night, taking a lead into the 4th quarter before falling 45-41 to visiting Franklin Road Christian School.
With the teams tied 9-9 after the first quarter, the Lady Warriors were guilty of some sloppy play in the second, with Franklin Road’s Ellie Baxter collecting 8 points in the frame to help the Minutemen to a 19-14 advantage at the break.
HCA battled back in the 3rd behind Abbi Bullock, who scored 10 points in the quarter, including a go-ahead putback with 2:40 left and a 3-pointer with 8 seconds to go for a 33-31 edge going into the final quarter.
Victoria Shelby hit 3 of 4 free throws over two trips to give Franklin Road a 36-33 advantage early in the 4th, but the Lady Warriors were back level at 41-41 after a jumper by Ashton Craft with 1:02 to play. Olivia Bentley hit two free throws to restore the Franklin Road lead with :48 on the clock, with HCA turning the ball over on its next possession. Forced to foul, the Lady Warriors put Shelby on the line again, with her two free throws sealing the 4-point win for the Minutemen.
Bullock’s 19 points led HCA, followed by Craft with 7. Franklin Road’s Baxter led all scorers with 20, with Shelby adding 9.