The CA Boys Basketball team lost in the district title game on Friday, March 10, as the Worthington Christian Warriors edged the Vikes, 55-49.

Playing without sophomore starters Dorrian Moultrie and Chris Boyle, who had  conflicting school commitments, the Vikings began the game slightly flustered. They seemed a step slow on defense, and the Warriors raced out to a big lead. However, senior Ryan Alexander took control for Academy, and his inside scoring cut the WC lead to 15-12 at the end of the first period. Alexander capped off one of the greatest careers in program history with 21 points to lead the Vikes.

Both teams locked in defensively in the second quarter, and the scoring opportunities were scarce. But a pair of triples from one of the most prolific three-point shooters in school history, senior Nick Stringer, was enough to push CA ahead by 2 going into halftime.

The break seemed to wake up both offenses, as the scoring picked up in the third quarter. Alexander and Warriors’ star Jay Joseph traded baskets, but a couple of threes by WC role players gave the Warriors a 1-point lead going into the fourth. The Vikes hung close for the majority of the quarter, but Worthington Christian pulled away at the finish, thanks to disciplined ball security and good free throw shooting.

Despite the disappointing result in the championship, it was still a great season for the Vikings. They finished 19-8 on the season, their best record in 12 years.

Although seniors Ryan Alexander, Brett Bates, Lou Burns, and Nick Stringer will be sorely missed, the future for the program looks bright as well. Three starters return next year, as well as junior Herman Moultrie, who was injured this season. In addition, the JV team set a school record for wins in a season this year, meaning the varsity squad will be getting even more quality players next year.

The district runner-up Vikes had an extremely impressive year, and it will serve as a building block for the future.