The Western Reserve Academy Pioneers topped Temple Christian Crusaders in a boys varsity basketball matchup on Friday. Temple lost at home by a score of 58-41.
Junior guard Peter Barba scored his team’s first and only 11 points in the first quarter. Western Reserve took that 11-0 lead going into the second quarter but lost Barba to foul trouble for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
As the guard sat the bench, Temple was able to pull within as little as 4. The teams entered the fourth at 42-34 and that is when the hammer dropped.
Western regained their rhythm in the 4th quarter and posted a big lead and cleared the bench. Western dropped 16 points on the Crusaders who were limited to 7 in the final frame. The scoreboard at Chuck Riffle Gymnasium posted a 58-41 final and stopped the Crusaders’ quest for a third straight win.
Senior guard Jabrill Smith stepped in and posted a career-high 13 points short-handed Pioneers. Regulars Joey Mylott and John Roberts were unable to play. Barba returned and completed a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Charlie Coffman put in a blue collar effort with 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Sophomore forward Vince Brookins had 6 points along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.
For Temple, junior Jordan Spencer led the team with 10 points. Junior point guard Emonde Adkins and sophomore Ben Grover followed with 9 points apiece.
Temple Christian will take on Kingsway on January 31.