By Steve Williams
The 1-2 punch of Hunter Bennett and Foster Coleman led Christian Academy of Knoxville to a 54-50 victory last week at improved Concord Christian School in a Division II District 1-A matchup.
It took almost four minutes though before the first point of the game was in the books. With 4:10 on the clock, the Lions’ Kohbe Ward, a freshman, had the satisfaction of ending the early drought with an 18-foot jumper.
Things then pretty much got back to normal as the first period ended with CCS on top 6-2.
Coach J.D. Johnson’s Warriors came into the game with a 9-5 overall record, while Concord, under second-year head coach Mike Evers, was 9-6.
“I’m very pleased with the direction of our program,” Evers said after the game. “We will go out on the floor with anyone. That’s the culture and mindset that we are trying to continue to get to and establish.”
Bennett, a junior, poured in 20 points and Coleman, a senior, 16 to lead the win. Bennett Jelks added eight and Jake Shaw six for the Warriors. Meanwhile, CCS junior Nolen Miller had top individual scoring honors in the contest with 22 points, including 16 in the second half.
A basket inside by Coleman gave CAK its first lead in the game at 11-10 with 5:30 on the second quarter clock.
A little later in the period, Bennett drove down the end line for a layup that extended the Warriors’ margin to four (16-12).
The first half, however, ended in an 18-18 tie as Concord sophomore Hudson Willis banked in a last-second shot that he released just across the halfcourt line.
Sophomore Simon Boy gave CCS the lead with a 3-pointer from the right corner to start the third period.
A free throw by Coleman gave CAK a 36-35 lead heading into the final period.
The Warriors increased their lead to seven points (51-44) on baskets by Bennett and Jelks. Coleman was credited with an assist on Bennett’s basket with his rebound inside. Jelks followed a missed shot for his key basket with 1:36 remaining.
The Lions never could get closer than four points down the stretch.
EVERS’ BACKGROUND: Prior to becoming Concord’s head coach in 2024, Evers was an assistant coach at three schools for two years each – The King’s Academy (boys), Lenoir City (girls) and William Blount (boys).
