FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Evangel Christian School boys’ basketball team defeated rival Hope Christian 67-29 in high school basketball action Dec. 9.

DaJon Townson led the Lightning with 19 points in the victory.

Adam Gurley added 17 points and a team-high seven steals for Evangel Christian, which forced 23 turnovers with its pressure defense.

Brandon Fuller led Hope Christian with eight points.

GIRLS

Evangel Christian School outlasted  rival Hope Christian 36-32 in overtime Dec. 9 in a battle for first place in the Alabama Christian Sports Conference.

The Lightning improved to 4-1 on the season with the win, including a  3-0 mark in league play, while Hope Christian dropped to 6-1 on the season, including 3-1 in the ACSC.

Freshman Whitney Thorpe led a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback for Evangel Christian, which trailed 21-16 after three quarters.

Thorpe scored six  points in a crucial stretch late in the fourth quarter to help the Lightning take the game into overtime, then hit two go-ahead free throws at the end to clinch the victory.

Rainey Ketcham paced Evangel Christian with nine points, while Thorpe and Kayla Bailey scored eight points each.  Bailey also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Leigh Wilson Legg led Hope Christian with 14 points.