NCA Holds Serve At Their House

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 31, 2006 – National Christian Academy (NCA) and Fort Washington, MD neighbor Progressive Christian Academy (PCA) have anticipated an intense rivalry since the latter launched a competitive hoops program this year. This rivalry would be fomented not by just mere geography, but also a familiarity between the programs: Not only do the players know each other personally, but given many in the PCA program’s previous work at Southern Maryland Christian, competitive familiarity also exists.

In the first of at least three meetings this season, NCA won 69-67 last night at their gym to capture the 1st Annual NCA Holiday Basketball Invitational championship. If future match ups are similar, fans should be sure to attend.

From the outset, it was clear NCA senior swingman Antonio Haymon (18 points, 12 rebounds) was determined to impact the game, as his early thunderous dunk and strong put back attest. He had not only athletic, but personal motivation. “I kind of heard some things that I wasn’t really going to play like I did last year” said Haymon. “I saw we kind of needed a leader…so I tried to do that, and do the dirty work”.

NCA's Trevor Brown (center) stated "We don't have a real leader...It's leadership by committe". Haymon's play yesterday may have answered some of those questions.

A prime example of that “dirty work” - rebounding, defending, providing energy - was his rebound and outlet pass leading to a fast break layup with 2:40 to go in the first quarter. The play provided a 17-10 lead for the Eagles.

Soon thereafter, PCA turned to senior center, Gus Gilchrist (28 points). The future VA Tech Hokie became his team’s primary offensive focus, receiving the ball at least eight times up to intermission. He not only used his strength and pivot skills to repeatedly score in the blocks – Gus notched 16 points in the first stanza – but also earn free throw opportunities. Further enhancing his play were the repeated double teams Gilchrist faced upon touching the ball, and the young guy's ability to fight through them.

“He’s a McDonald’s All-American in the making” opined his coach, Van Whitfield, upon being asked to discuss Gilchrist’s impact. “He did want All-American’s do”.

NCA’s coach, Trevor Brown, agreed. “Gus is what he is; he’s an ACC player” said Brown. “I knew he would be good, plus he’s young for his grade”(portending a great upside).

Despite the play of Gilchrist, NCA developed and maintained a double digit lead in part based upon the contributions of junior swingman David Diakite (16 points), who attacked the rim and posted for buckets, along with sophomore point guard Rodney Clark’s (6 points) ball handling and overall steady play.

Gus Gilchrest shows his free throw follow through above, while NCA guard Brian McMikle looks on. Gilchrest is showing hard works pays off, as his strength, balance, and pivot moves have all improved. This future ACC player also has a budding face up game.

As to be expected of a team with a number of NCAA Division I prospects, a PCA run was made, with the team finishing the half on a 16-6 scoring advantage. Joining Gilchrest during this period were juniors, forward Ernest Watson (11 points) and guard Jasper Williams (7 points, four in the second quarter). Their collective play narrowed NCA’s lead to 46-42 at intermission.

Early in the third period, with the PCA Conquerors closing their deficit to one, Brown employed a full court press that not only produced back to back turnovers, but energized his team, allowing them to take a 58-49 lead with under two minutes in the quarter.

Again PCA made a run, and again closed NCA’s lead to one. Continuing on the deja vu theme, NCA’s Haymon’s key plays – this time a nice baseline spin for two followed by blocking a PCA layup, thereby creating another possession for his team – along with a Diakite lay up extended their team’s lead to 65-61.

Williams later hit a three, following that with a steal and subsequent lay up (despite noticeably limping), giving his team a chance to win with under a minute to play. Whitfield’s squad was able to cause a turnover with 36.2 seconds left, but Williams attempted game winning three ball with 4.2 seconds was off.

Whitfield commented afterward “It was very hard for us to score”, and that the win was a good one for NCA.

His counterpart, Brown, agreed, but felt a constant issue with his squad reared its head again. “From a coaching standpoint” he said, “our biggest problem with our team is free throw shooting. I keep telling them that it’s going to get them in trouble, and almost did today” – his team frequently failed to complete one and ones, which could have sealed the game.

For the season, NCA is now 6-2, while PCA is 9-2. Stay tuned for the rematch.