The Suffolk Christian Academy boys’ basketball team fought hard in the two-day Battle of the Border tournament hosted by Southampton Academy last weekend, but ultimately fell on both days.

The Knights lost 56-23 on Saturday to their hosts. SCA head coach Ron Carr said the Raiders were aggressive, skilled, and he “knew it would be difficult for us to go against them.”

Junior guard/forward Nathan Leiter scored 15 points for a Suffolk Christian squad that was sorely missing sophomore forward Steven Effler, who had family obligations.

Carr complimented sophomore forward Barton Metzgar, a first-year player.

“We played him pretty much, I would say, the whole game, and he did very well, showed a lot of improvement, and he was a standout really on rebounds and getting the ball and getting the ball out to the other players,” he said.

Carr was pleased with his players’ effort.

“They played hard the whole game,” he said. “They had the right heart, the right mentality, and no matter what the odds were, they played a tremendous game, and I’m proud of them as a coach.”

On Friday, the Knights showed heart when they faced Brunswick Academy and fell behind by around 20 points, but came storming back.

“We ended up losing only by five points,” Carr said. “Our guys really pulled together, and they played good.”

Effler led SCA in points for the contest with 20, while Leiter added 18 and sophomore guard Michael Cornette scored 11.