Junior Dalyn DeCree slashes to the paint. Inji Kang’19/Media
The CA boys basketball team snapped its 3-game losing streak with wins over Northridge and Watkins Memorial but lost in its rematch with Whitehall, as the Rams clinched a share of the MSL title.
Academy traveled to Northridge on Monday, February 12, and uncorked a dominant performance, winning 63-32. Frustrated by their recent struggles, the Vikings ripped off a 20-0 run to begin the game and never looked back. Junior Dalyn DeCree and sophomore Carter Warstler led the scoring charge for CA with 10 points apiece, and six other players had at least 6 in the blowout victory.
The Vikes then hosted Watkins Memorial on Tuesday, February 13, and escaped with a 72-68 overtime win. Both teams struggled to find their offensive groove in the opening minutes, and the score was tied at 8 after the first quarter.
The pace quickened in the second period as Academy began to light up the scoreboard. Juniors Dorrian Moultrie and Hayden Compton took over, attacking the basket and finishing inside the paint. Moultrie tied a career-high with 23 points, and Compton added 10. The Warriors tried to keep pace, but the Vikings closed the half on a 9-0 run and headed to the break with a double-digit lead.
Watkins Memorial came out of the locker rooms with a renewed energy. The Warriors began to connect from three-point range and chipped away at the deficit. CA’s advantage slowly disappeared, and the Vikes led by only 1 going into the fourth quarter.
Though Watkins Memorial took the lead on its first possession, senior Davis Friedman snatched it back, draining a triple. The back-and-forth scoring continued, and Academy led 53-51 with just over 2 minutes remaining.
After a missed free throw, senior Addis Boyd ripped down an offensive rebound and fed junior Chris Boyle, who buried a clutch long ball. Boyle finished with 13 points. The Warriors knocked down a pair of free throws, but Boyd hit from the charity stripe himself, keeping the Vikings in control. Boyd also had 13 on the night.
Trailing 57-53 with under a minute to go, Watkins Memorial converted a three-point play. Moultrie immediately responded with a layup at the other end, boosting CA’s lead back up to 3.
Somehow, the Warriors got a wide-open look at a three with 15 seconds left and drilled it. The Vikes were called for a travel on their ensuing possession, and a Watkins Memorial shot at the buzzer missed, so the game went to overtime, with the score knotted at 59.
Behind several great plays from Moultrie, Academy scored 8 unanswered points to start the extra time. The Warriors made a furious comeback attempt in the final seconds, but free throws from Boyle and Moultrie were enough to ice the game, giving the Vikings a narrow victory.
Riding the momentum, CA traveled to Whitehall on Friday, February 16, looking to avenge its loss in the teams’ previous meeting. But the Rams proved to be too much, topping the Vikes once again, 60-45.
From the first half, it looked as though this matchup would come down to the wire. The squads traded baskets in the opening period, and Academy gained a slim 15-13 advantage. More evenly-matched play followed in the second quarter. Whitehall took the lead, but the Vikings hung close, and went to halftime facing a 3-point deficit.
The Rams extended their lead early in the third and desperately tried to pull away. CA wouldn’t budge, as the Vikes always seemed to have a response. Senior Ryan Mitchell sunk a pair of free throws with under a second left to cut Whitehall’s lead back to 3 heading into the fourth.
With the help of several favorable calls, the Rams dominated the last 8 minutes. As Academy went cold, Whitehall caught fire, outscoring the Vikings 19-7 in the final period and sealing the win.
Despite a pair of victories, another loss to a conference rival was disappointing for the Vikes. They will look to get back on track with a win at Northside Christian on Tuesday, February 20, in their regular season finale.
