Excel splits basketball openers

The Excel Christian Academy basketball teams opened their 2015-16 season Friday night and came away with a split.

The Eagles defeated visiting Galloway 58-43, but the girls lost a close battle 53-49.

The Lady Eagles fell behind 13-9 after one quarter and were outscored by three in the second period to trail 28-21 at halftime. Excel rallied in the third period to narrow the gap, but were ultimately edged in the final quarter, 53-49. Brighton McCollum and Rylie Boston led the Lady Eagles with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Whitney Harris scored eight, while Xena Enos added six. Kalli Beth Scheff scored three points, followed by Lindsey Mauldin with two and Bailey Cox with one. Caitlin Felts led Galloway with 13 points. Kaitlyn Poindexter and Melinda Hartz both reached double figures with 12 and 11.

In the nightcap, Darius Thrower and Caleb West led the Eagles' boys team to victory with 18 points each. Excel led throughout the game. The Eagles took an 11-4 lead in the opening quarter and led 26-13 at halftime. Galloway narrowed the gap to nine after three quarters, but Excel pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 15 point win. Chris Hale scored eight of his ten points in the second half for the Eagles. Latrel Jones chipped in with six points, Joseph Cuomo scored four, and Max Rowland added two points. Galloway was led by S. Tokanel and A. Richards with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

The Excel teams travel to Gordon Central Friday (Nov. 20) and will be back at home Tuesday, Dec. 1 to host North Paulding.