The No. 4 state-ranked Crusaders won their second straight game to improve to 19-7 overall and 9-1 in region play. This game was never in doubt for GC from the opening tip, as the first-place Crusaders rolled to a 22-2 first-quarter lead and a 31-10 at the half.
“We played a strong man-to-man defense and I think that surprised Flint. They probably thought we’d come out in the press,” said Crusaders head coach Mic Savage. “We also locked down on their two shooters, not allowing them to get in a rhythm.”
Savage took his foot off the gas after halftime, subbing his players in and out as the Crusaders led 44-23 heading into the fourth quarter and coasted to the final 57-36 margin.
Aaron McCray led GC with 14 points and 4 assists, followed by Jonathan Hammond with 13 points and 5 steals. Wil Savage and Amir Hightower chipped in 8 points each, with Savage snagging 7 rebounds and Hightower adding 4 assists.
Flint River 52, Griffin Christian 32 (girls):The Griffin Christian Lady Crusaders lost their 10th straight game, falling to the Lady Wildcats of Flint River 52-32 in GISA Region 4-AA action in the early game.
GC now falls to 7-16 and 1-9 in the region for last place in the standings. Third-place Flint improves to 20-4, 7-3.
Flint led 18-9 after the first quarter, 31-15 at the half and 40-27 after three quarters en route to the big victory. Brittany Foster led GC with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 5 blocks and it was 5’s all around for GC guard Katy Hammond -- she had 5 points, 5 steals, 5 assists and 5 deflections in the game.
Chelsey Deaton, Hannah Branham and Lily Hammond scored 4 points each for GC, which travels to play region foe Piedmont Academy Tuesday at 6 p.m.

