Basketball: Knights beat Frederica Academy, move on to quarterfinals

Channeling the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano, the Bethlehem Christian Academy boys basketball team and coach Robert Strong are adopting a “survive and advance” mentality this postseason.
The Knights survived the first round of the GISA Class AAA playoffs Wednesday night, knocking off Frederica Academy of St. Simons Island, 49-44 at Brookwood School in Thomasville.
“It was great to be able to go down there and get a win and then be able to enjoy it staying overnight,” said Strong as his team returned home Thursday afternoon. “It was the furthest this team has ever been, all the way to the other corner of the state, and we were grateful to be able to pull one out.”
With the win, BCA (22-6), the No. 3 seed from Region 4, advances to play Brookwood, the No. 1 seed from Region 3, at 6 p.m. Saturday in the state quarterfinals at Stratford Academy in Macon.
BCA came out hot early Wednesday and grabbed a quick lead while forcing a couple of key Frederica players into early foul trouble. The Knights stretched their lead to as high as 14 points, before Frederica rallied to tie it in the second half.
But BCA closed the game out in the final couple minutes. Ray Peevy hit a pair of free throws to put the Knights back out in front, and Laine Francois came up with a huge block on the other end of the court to give BCA the ball back. After the Knights inbounded the ball from the side, Makyal Cooper got open, got to the basket for a layup and was fouled on the play. Cooper hit a free throw to make it 49-44, and the Knights made one more defensive stop and were able to run the clock out.
Francois led the Knights with 13 points. Peevy and Adam Gano scored 12 points apiece, and Cooper added 11.
“I was proud of our guys stepping up in that late-game situation against a good team and getting it done,” Strong said.
Brookwood (18-10) beat Dominion Christian 63-50 in the first round Wednesday. Strong expects a tough challenge from the Warriors, who will have a height advantage inside, including 6-foot-5 senior Kurtis Brown, 6-foot-5 junior Sam Barrett and 6-foot-4 junior Harrison Owens.
“We got a chance to see play (Wednesday) and the move the ball very well and are good defensively,” Strong said of the Warriors. “I think it’ll be a good game, and hopefully we can stay with them and come out on top.”
The winner of Saturday’s game advances to the Final Four and will play either the Heritage School of Newnan or Loganville Christian Academy at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus.