E.A. Sports Today

Faith, JCA split

Griswould goes for 31 to lead Faith boys, JCA girls jump out early and stay there

By Jason Katz
For East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE — Jordan Griswould is winning over fans every time he steps on the floor.

The Faith Christian junior had 31 points Monday to lead his team over Jacksonville Christian 69-63. It was his second 30-point game since returning from the holiday break.

JCA started the game with a sizeable lead, but within two minutes an alley-oop slam by Griswould would establish him as the key to the game on both sides.

“He has hit his stride and is really coming into his own,” Faith coach Brad Yarbrough said. “He had 39 against Welborn and then 31 tonight. He is really proving just what he is capable of.”

Griswould was all over the court. Along with his points he had two big blocks, a pair of dunks, and four rebounds. He credited his teammates for the reason he played so well.

“They make me feel much more comfortable when they are all playing well,” he said. “When they get open and start making shots it allows me to get into my comfort zone and make an impact.”

Alex Taylor had three 3-pointers and all points – all in the first half. Caleb McCord had nine points and Jack Sills had 12 points and six rebounds.

“They are a close group of guys and are really learning how to play together,” Yarbrough said. “They play hard for each other and care about their teammates more than themselves.”

Walker Messer led JCA (7-3) with 22 points. He scored them all in the middle two quarters.

Faith (11-6) plays top-ranked Sacred Heart tonight. The Lions are looking forward to the rest of their year, including the Calhoun County Tournament that starts this weekend.

“We are going have to defend like mad men,” Yarbrough said. “We are going to play teams that are bigger and stronger than us and first it is going to take us believing in making a deep run. Everything will fall into place if we just do what we do.”

And certainly Jordan Griswould will play a big part in it.

“He is really finding out what his game is about now,” Yarbrough said. “He was still young last year, but now he is using his shooters around him to really help him expand his game.”

JCA girls 51, Faith Christian 46

Joeley Cupp and Kayla Barnes hit their four 3-pointers in the first quarter as the Thunder jumped out to an early lead and withstood a Faith rally.

Barnes scored 11 points, while Cupp and three other Thunder players scored at least eight. Madison Stephens led Faith with 16 points.

The Thunder opened a 10-point halftime lead. Faith methodically chipped away to get within three midway through the fourth quarter but got a little antsy and missed a couple bad shots.

“We didn’t guard them the first half, gave up 34 (points),” Faith coach Bradley Dawson said. “I thought our defensive intensity was much better in the second half.

On the cover: Faith Christian’s Jordan Griswould (3) drives to the basket against Jacksonville Christian. (Photo by Jason Katz)

BOYS GAME

Faith Christian 69, Jacksonville Christian 63

FAITH (11-6) – Caleb McCord 2 5-6 9, Jordan Griswould 13 3-4 31, Riley Camp 1 0-0 2, Jameson Adams 0 0-1 0, David Wall 1 2-2 4, Jack Sills 3 0-4 6, Michael Kulick 1 1-2 3, Jameson Thacker 1 0-0 3, Alex Taylor 4 0-0 11, Julien Key 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 11-19 69.

JCA (7-3) – Jimbo Tolbert 1 0-0 2, Jayni Mosley 4 0-1 8, Detrick Edmondson 0 0-0 0, Elijah McCormack 0 1-2 1, Walker Messer 6 6-11 22, Jayden Mitchell 4 2-5 12, Chase Cobb 0 0-0 0, Antwon Fegans 4 0-2 8, Reed Murphy 3 3-3 10. Totals 22 12-24 63.

Faith 18 18 20 13 — 69
JCA 22 12 11 19 — 63

3-point goals: Faith 6 (Taylor 3, Thacker, Griswould 2); JCA (Messer 4, Mitchell 2, Murphy). Fouled out: Adams, Murphy. Total fouls: Faith 21, JCA 23. Officials: Burroughs, Strott, Preston.

GIRLS GAME

Jacksonville Christian 51, Faith Christian 46

FAITH – Emily Sills 6 0-0 13, Madison Stephens 6 3-4 16, Sarah Jessica Christjohn 0 0-0 0, Sydnee Johnson 3 0-0 6, Regan Crosby 0 0-0 0, Zana Christjohn 0 0-0 0, Logan Boyd 4 0-0 11. Totals 19 3-4 46.

JCA – Joeley Cupp 3 1-2 9, Hayley Moses 0 0-0 0, Briah Cupp 2 4-7 8, Sarah Crook 4 1-3 9, Olivia Jones 2 1-4 5, Kayla Barnes 4 1-4 11, Sidney Hancock 4 1-2 9. Totals 19 9-22 51.

Faith 13 11 16 6 — 46
JCA 22 12 11 6 — 51

3-point goals: Faith 5 (Sills, Stephens, Boyd 3); JCA 4 (J. Cupp 2, Barnes 2). Fouled out: Johnson. Total fouls: Faith 19, JCA 6. Officials: Burroughs, Strott, Preston.

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