Calvary Day basketball coach Jason Shell was familiar with the outside shooting ability of Landmark Christian, so when the War Eagles drained nearly everything they looked at in the first half Saturday night to take a lead on the Cavaliers, he didn’t panic.
The Cavalier players followed their coach’s lead and came roaring back to beat a talented Landmark squad 65-58 in the first round of the GHSA Class A private school playoffs.
Calvary Day will go on the road Wednesday to take on No. 1 seed Greenforest of Decatur, which defeated Savannah Christian, at a time to be announced.
Landmark came out on fire from beyond the arc as the War Eagles knocked down eight 3-pointers in the first half to account for 24 of their 37 points before intermission. Calvary Day had closed the deficit to 31-30 with 1:23 left in the first half when Graham Burson and Austin Luckie hit from distance on Landmark Christian’s final two possessions to give the War Eagles a 37-30 halftime lead.
“We played (and beat) Landmark Christian earlier in the season so I knew they could shoot,” Shell said. “They run that Rick Pitino-type of fast break where they shoot the jumpers. They don’t care if you have a hand in their face, they will keep shooting in rain, sleet or snow.
“I told the kids at the half I didn’t think they could keep making shots like that, and to keep playing defense and getting rebounds.”
Landmark Christian extended its lead to nine points midway through the third quarter, when Calvary took over. The Cavaliers ended the period on a 12-2 run. Senior forward Ryan Jennings was a huge factor with his play down low. Jennings scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter, muscling his way past defenders with strong inside moves to the basket from the baseline.
“Ryan has been an unsung hero for us all year,” Shell said. “He’s tough inside, knows how to get position by using his body, and he can finish.”
Calvary took a 48-47 lead into the fourth quarter and went on a 12-4 run to take command. Khaliq Hughes (19 points) set the tone with a strong drive to the hoop. Jennings made another impressive move down low, and Milan Richard (10 points and seven rebounds) had a pair of field goals in the post.
The momentum had shifted in a hurry, as Calvary Day’s hustle on both ends of the court started paying off.
One of the War Eagles top players, Justin Ross, fouled out with 5:24 left and Landmark Christian trailing by three. And the red hot War Eagles cooled down considerably, making just one 3-pointer in 16 second-half attempts. Malachi Dozier led the War Eagles with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and Will Walters and Ross chipped in with 10 points each.
“We knew they were going to come out and shoot,” Jennings said. “We had to win the game defensively. We got the ball inside to get our offense going in the second half. We played as a team to win this game.”
The Cavaliers face top-seeded Greenforest (24-4) in Decatur on Wednesday. The Eagles defeated Savannah Christian 67-39 Saturday.
“It’s going to be a long drive,” Hughes said. “But I think we’ll be ready.”
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN (58)
Burson 3, Malachi Dozier 16, Luckie 6, Schultz 6, Will Walters 10, Justin Ross 10, Patterson.
CALVARY DAY (65)
Keene 4, Khaliq Hughes 19, Walker 6, Kirkland 9, Milan Richard 10, Ryan Jennings 17.
Halftime—Landmark 37-30. Records—CD 20-8; Landmark Christian 19-9.