Crusaders knocked out in semis
Published 7:40 pm Saturday, February 26, 2011
![IMG_5618](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2011/02/IMG_5618.jpg)
The hoop: First Baptist guard Justice Fuller eyes the hoop on a drive down the lane. Fuller scored 11 points Friday night but Summit won the Seven Cities Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal game 64-49. Both conference final games are set for Tuesday at Liberty Baptist Church with the girls game leading off at 5:30 p.m.
Summit Christian of Newport News put on an impressive offensive display at the expense of host First Baptist and went on to a 64-49 win in the semifinals of the Seven Cities Athletic Conference Tournament at Liberty Baptist Church Friday night.
Summit, No. 2 in the league’s season and technically the home team despite playing on No. 3 First Baptist’s home floor, had each of its five starters score between 11 and 16 points on the night. Summit steadily pulled away in the first half for a 36-18 halftime lead and shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) from the field for the game.
The Crusaders stayed step-for-step with Summit in the first few minutes. Center Dylan Farrenkopf led the Crusaders with tough play inside early on, totaling eight points and six rebounds in the first half.
One of Farrenkopf’s buckets brought FB within a 13-10 deficit, but Summit finished the first period strong to build a 20-12 lead. Summit hit 3-of-4 three-pointers in the first eight minutes.
Summit continued adding to its lead nearly each time down the court in the second period, and an 8-0 Summit finish to the half gave the Eagles a big halftime lead.
The Crusaders got on a roll in the third period sparked by guard Justice Fuller aggressively driving to the hoop for a pair of tough lay-ups.
Colby Toler scored a three-point play in the lane on the next Crusader possession, followed by Russ Ballance making a three from beyond the arc. Even with the offensive rally for the unofficial home team, since Summit continued to score, a Summit three seconds after Ballance’s three made it 49-31 Summit.
The Crusaders cut the gap down to 50-37 shortly into the fourth period. A quick 7-0 Summit run halted the Crusader comeback effort.
Farrenkopf led the Crusaders with 14 points and eight rebounds. Toler had 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Fuller had 11 points and four assists. The Crusaders finish the season 12-11.
Summit and Gateway Christian, from Virginia Beach, will play in the final of the tournament, now in its second season, Tuesday evening following the girls final between First Baptist and Gateway.