5 keys as Providence Christian teams split DII-A East/Middle games
Searching for their first district win on Homecoming, Providence Christian’s boys came back from an eight-point deficit to Hendersonville Christian to cut the gap to two with one minute remaining.
But the Lions couldn’t get any closer, as the Crusaders hit clutch free throws to hold on for a 50-44 win.
Providence Christian’s girls rolled past Hendersonville Christian 65-31 to clinch second place in Division II-A East/Middle Division Friday night.
Here are five keys to the games:
Strong start
Providence Christian’s girls started out the game with a 12-0 run and led 20-3 by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime the lead had increased to 22, 37-15.
“That was good to get a good start,” said PCA senior Emma Christiansen, who had 21 to lead all scorers. “The last couple of games we’ve had troubles (early) with turnovers and not getting started like we need to.”
Dynamic duo
Christiansen, a Bethel signee, drove to the basket and scored early during the 12-0 run. She had six of the Lady Lions’ first 12 points. She also dished the ball to teammate Liza Jane Jones several times. Jones had 18 total points, 12 of them in the first quarter.
Christiansen was honored after the game for exceeding 1,000 points in her career. She reached this plateau two games ago.
Cole takes control
With Providence Christian up 24-23 in the third quarter, Hendersonville Christian’s Jalen Cole took control. He was unstoppable. He drove to the basket and scored and pulled up and hit mid-range jumpers.
Cole, who didn’t score a single point in the first half, scored 10 straight points in the third quarter and the first basket of the fourth quarter. After his scoring deluge Hendersonville Christian led 35-29.
The next possession, Cole dished the ball to Tanner Sturgis for a basket to give Hendersonville Christian a an eight-point advantage, 37-29. Cole had 16 total points, all in the second half.
“I think we needed better coaching,” said Providence Christian coach David Farrar, former head men's coach at MTSU. “I think we needed to stop that at that point.”
Comeback effort
The Lions chipped away at the deficit and cut it down to two, 44-42, with 1:04 left.
Fred Cosby scored 12 second-half points to help lead the Lions back from the deficit. He led the Lions with 18 overall points.
But Cole made four free throws in the final minute to seal the win for Hendersonville Christian.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the kids,” said Farrar. “We played two freshmen. They didn’t play this well the last time we played this team. To come back, I couldn’t be happier with the effort.”
Getting their feet wet
Providence Christian is playing in its first season in TSSAA.
Division II-A will get even more competitive with several more schools transitioning to Division II status next year.
“It’s going to get even more (competitive,)” said Farrar. “Next year we’ll go to all the Franklin (private) schools and CPA.”
