Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Aucilla Christian Academy Warriors varsity basketball hosted Maclay High School from Tallahassee. By the final buzzer, the Warriors found themselves on the short end of a 65-51 score. Gatlin Nennstiel led the Warriors in scoring, tallying 29 points and four rebounds in the Warriors' effort. Brandon Bates added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors.
On Thursday, Jan. 5, the Warriors improved their season record to 4-7 with a home court win against Altha High School. The final score for the contest was 70-56. Timothy Finlayson was the top scorer for the Warriors, scoring a total of 27 points, while collecting four rebounds and five assists. Bates scored nine points and snatched five rebounds for the Warriors.
Then on Friday, Jan. 6, the Warriors traveled to Tallahassee for a game against John Paul II High School. The Warriors came out on the short end of a 70-49 score. Nennstiel again led the Warriors in scoring with 17 points. Finlayson added 11 points to the Warriors' total.
On Thursday, Jan.12, the Warriors were again on the road to face Tallavanna High School. This time the Warriors were victorious with a 70-43 final score. Nennstiel led the Warriors' scoring with 22 points. Finlayson had 18 points in the contest. Bates scored 12 points and had eight rebounds in the game. With this victory, the Warriors secured the number one seed in the upcoming district tournament.
On Friday, Jan. 13, the Warriors went to St. Augustine to meet the Dragons of the Florida School for the Deaf. The Warriors chalked up another win with a final score of 66-43. Nennstiel had a double-double, scoring 29 points and snagging 11 rebounds for the Warriors. Finlayson contributed 19 points to the Warriors' victory.
On Saturday, Jan. 14, the Warriors' road trip continued as they faced St. John Country Day School. The Warriors secured a hard fought 61-59 victory in overtime. Finlayson led the way for the Warriors, scoring 19 points. Bates had a double-double for the contest, scoring 17 points and gathering 10 rebounds. Nennstiel had 13 points for the Warriors. This win improved the Warriors' record to 7-8.
The Warriors will be back on their home court on Thursday, Jan. 19 when they host Countryside Christian School from Gainesville. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.