Temple blasts Berean

FAYETTEVILLE — Temple Christian Academy’s varsity boys took down host Berean Baptist 57-43 on Tuesday, closing out the regular season with two straight wins.

Xavier Pettigrew paced the Tigers with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Daniel Sisk chipped in 18 points in the win.

The varsity boys finish the season with a 12-7 overall record and 8-2 conference record. They will defend their Carolina Christian Athletic Association crown Feb. 18-20 in Whiteville.

The Tigers locked in a second-place CCAA regular-season finish on Monday in a 75-43 home rout of Association for Grace Christian School out of Loris, South Carolina. Pettigrew led the team with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Isaiah Scott contributed 22 points.

Temple’s JV boys closed out their season with a 58-51 home win over Association for Grace. Pettigrew scored a team-high 31 points, 14 rebounds and Sisk added 16 points.

The JV boys and girls began CCAA tournament play Thursday in Whiteville. The boys started as the No. 3 seed and the Temple girls were the No. 2 seed going in.

Lady Tigers claim title

FAYETTEVILLE — Despite a season-ending loss on the road to Berean Baptist, the Temple Christian varsity girls are the Carolina Christian Athletic Association regular-season champions for the third year in a row.

Temple’s girls fell to Berean Baptist 42-32 on Tuesday to finish the season with an 18-3 overall record. Claire Jordan led the team in scoring with 11 points and six rebounds.

The Lady Tigers wrapped up their CCAA schedule on Feb. 5 with a 47-33 road win over Mintz Christian Academy of Roseboro. Temple’s regular-season conference record stands at 9-1.

The Smith sisters led the way in last week’s win, all scoring in double figures. Rachel Smith netted 11 points and six assists, Mary Smith scored 10 points and grabbed eight boards and Anna Smith finished with 10 points and five rebounds.

The CCAA champs are the No. 1 seed entering next week’s association tournament set Feb. 18-20 in Whiteville.