Varsity Girls Rout CCES; Boys' Comeback Falls Short

The game featured two mini-streaks and then one huge, decisive streak that lifted the SJCS Varsity girls to a 59-19 victory over rival Christ Church in the Region 2-3A opener for both teams Thursday night.

The host Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The Cavaliers went ahead 5-4.

Then the Knights went on a 28-0 run. Christ Church went nearly 12 minutes without scoring. By the time the Cavs hit a free throw with 17 seconds left in the first half, St. Joe's led 32-6.

Eight different players contributed to the Knights' first-half scoring. Stella Nash had six of her eight of her points and Brianna Armocida had all six of her points in the first two quarters. Nash also had eight rebounds, and Armocida had five.

Lola Kelly led the Knights with 17 points, as well as five steals and four rebounds. Tiffany Helmer had nine points and three assists; Emi Reese Hand had four points and six boards; Gianna Franchina had six points; and Evie Adams had four points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Also for the Knights (6-4, 1-0), Eva Cifuni had three points and Ava Wright had two points.

Varsity Boys

The Varsity boys erased most of a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit but came up short in a 48-43 lost to visiting Christ Church.

The Knights led 12-8 after one quarter, but the Cavs outscored St. Joe's 22-8 in the second quarter to take control. They still led 41-27 after three quarters.

But Smith Crick's 3-pointer jumpstarted the Knights' fourth-quarter rally, and Dion Jamerson scored nine of his 15 points in the period.

Dion scored on a drive and completed a 3-point play and then made two free throws to pull St. Joe's to within 45-39 with 3:44 remaining.

Dion Jamerson -- 9 of 12 from the line, including 5 for 5 in the fourth -- made two more, and Keandre Jamerson scored on a drive after a turnover, and the Knights were within 46-43 with 1:17 left.

St. Joe's (8-4, 0-1) had possession and was still down three with 40 seconds left but turned the ball over. Christ Church made two free throws and pushed the lead back up to five with 35 seconds to go.

Crick finished with 13 points. Keandre Jamerson had nine points, Bryson Smith four points and Carl Harrison two points.