Mackenzie Smith’20 launches a baseline jumper. (Riley Hennessy’20/Media)

Entering this week with a promising 3-0 record in the new year, the CA girls basketball team took on the Worthington Christian Warriors on Friday, January 19, for a rematch of an early season matchup. Originally scheduled to also duel New Hope Christian Academy earlier in the week, the Warriors became the Vikes’ only opponent of the week due to a heavy snowstorm.

With the Warriors winning the first meeting between the two squads, 44-20, the Vikings knew that a victory in this matchup would be a challenge. Academy point guard Kiersten Thomassey’20 was unable to play, but junior Shelemiah Crockett made her season debut against WC.

Though the Vikes had shown significant improvements on both sides of the court since the last time the teams met, Worthington Christian raced out to a big lead early in the game. By halftime, the Warriors had a commanding 15-point advantage and were in full control. 

Despite the deficit, Academy persevered in the last sixteen minutes, with well-rounded scoring and strong man-to-man defense. The Vikings lost by a similar margin as in the first matchup, but their improvement as a team was on full display. Crockett impressed in her debut, leading the Vikings with five points, with other scoring contributions from seniors Tori Abell, Skyla Johnson, Lexis Hughes, and Aiyana Taylor’19, Emma Belford’20, and Mackenzie Smith’20.

With three great games on tap, the Vikings will have the opportunity to continue their great start to the new year. The Vikings will host Delaware Christian on Tuesday, January 23, then travel to Village Academy on Thursday, January 25, before hitting the road again for a showdown with Bexley on Saturday, January 27.