National Christian Academy Wins

CENTEREACH, NEW YORK -- Sophomore Anthony Ivory came off the bench to score 12 points to lift an injured National Christian Academy past the "B" team of Our Savior, 66-58, in the nightcap of the Maranatha Invitational.

Ivory scored several key baskets down the stretch as a game "B" team came back from double digits deficits on three occasions.

National Christian is without the services of 6-11 center Jabbar Young, who is going to play at West Virginia next season. More on Young in our premium section. National Christian was also without Charlie Bell, who was limping around with a sprained right ankle. "I expect to play tonight," Bell told us after the game. "I will be ready. Jabbar won't."

National Christian led throughout this game. They grabbed a 15-7 advantage after the first. The lead was 28-30 at the half and stretched to 47-34. The advantage stretched even further to 16 points until the "B" team, with the support of a loud home crowd, knocked it down to three points.

But Ivory answered with several low post baskets, taking advantage of his bulk and strength against the smaller "B" players.

Sophomore Earl Risby and senior Gordon Klaiber each had 10 points for the winners. While junior standout Keith Blanks scored nine points, but strangely didn't see much action in the second half.

National Christian will take on the "A" team from Our Savior tonight in the final.