In the second game of the season, Academy’s boys basketball team faced off against one of its toughest opponents, Whitehall, on Friday, December 4. The boys started the game strong, down by only five points at halftime, but eventually lost their momentum in the 4th quarter and lost 46-65. Ryan Alexander’17 led the team in scoring with 17 points, while Jake Mitchell’16 followed close behind with 15.

Alexander said, “The fact that we stayed with the best Division II team in Ohio for three quarters shows that we have the potential to win a lot of games. It was pretty clear they came into the game thinking they were going to run all over us, and when they didn’t, they were surprised. The next time we play them, they will be a lot less likely to overlook us.” Last season, Academy lost to Whitehall 58-91 in their first game and 36-38 in their second. “As a team, we have to build on what we did on Friday and continue to play with the same focus and intensity. That being said, I think we have a great chance to upset them (Whitehall) when we play at their place,” says Alexander. The team will take on the Rams again on Saturday, January 16.

In their other games this week, the boys started the season out strong, defeating Patriot Academy 87-43 in their home opener on Wednesday, December 2. The team also beat Grove City Christian 57-50 on Saturday, December 5. With a 2-1 record, the boys will play at West Jefferson on Tuesday, December 8, home against Madison Plains on Thursday, December 10, and at Worthington Christian on Saturday, December 12.