Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By ANDRE ALFRED

Sports Correspondent

ASKEWVILLE – In a fast-paced game, Ahoskie Christian freshman Jalen Rascoe scored 22 of his game-high 40 points in the first half as the Warriors defeated Bethel Assembly Christian Academy, 73-55, here Tuesday night.

The visiting Warriors raced out to a quick 9-2 lead by the 5:27 mark of the first quarter en route to a 21-13 advantage by the end of the opening period. Twelve of those points came by way of four, three-pointers. Despite the fact that the Eagles were outscored in the first frame it didn’t affect the home team’s gallantry.

At 5:35 in the second quarter, the Eagles tenacity paid off as they got within two points of knotting the score. That’s when Rascoe got hot. He scored 15 points in the period, giving his team a comfortable 41-25 halftime cushion.

Bethel collectively put numbers on the board, but they just didn’t have an answer for the Warriors’ scoring machine.

The combined efforts of McKinley Conner, Bradley Taylor, Peyton Liverman and Zack Mizelle yielded the Eagles ‘consistent scoring for Bethel, but their perimeter defense was suspect.

Rascoe contributed the first two points of the third quarter with a quick jumper with 7:53 on the clock. Bethel quickly answered back with a basket from Caleb Morris. From then on it was a see-saw scoring game.

Rascoe continued to wreak havoc on the Eagles defense scoring all but two of his team’s baskets. Those other two baskets were scored by teammate Tyler Martin.

Morris, Conner, Liverman and Mizelle contributed offensively for the Eagles.

The race was on for Warriors in the fourth and final quarter as they could see the finish line was near. Rascoe continued his scoring ways with assistance from Martin and Brenden Pierce.

In addition to Rascoe’s big night, Martin added 22 points for Ahoskie Christian.

Conner (13 points), Mizelle (10), and Liverman (10) led BACA.