High Point Baptist Academy Defeats Dayspring Christian Academy 37-34 in District 3 Class 1A Playoff Game: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on February 25, 2023
High Point Baptist Academy Defeats Dayspring Christian Academy 37-34 in District 3 Class 1A Playoff Game
Mason Rogers, a 6’ 4” freshman, came off the bench to score nine points in the fourth quarter to lead High Point Baptist Academy to a 37 to 34 win over Dayspring Christian Academy on Saturday afternoon in a PIAA District 3 Class 1A playoff game at Penn Manor. The low scoring game was close all of the way, with the largest lead of the contest just five points. There were five ties and six lead changes in the game. It was Dayspring Christian Academy’s home game, and it was played before a modest sized crowd. By virtue of the victory, High Point Baptist will meet the winner of Saturday night’s game between Coventry Christian and Mount Calvary Christian, and the winner of that game will qualify for the PIAA Class 1A state championship tournament.
High Point Baptist scored first on a 3-pointer by 5’ 8” senior Matthew Meshey, and they led until the very end of the first half, when Dayspring Christian tied the game at 15 on a free throw by senior Cole Ployd. Throughout the first half—and really, throughout the game—both teams ran deliberate and structured offenses and varied their defenses. It was fun to see Dayspring Christian’s occasional deployment of a player in the high post, and, in a couple of instances, High Point Baptist used a double stack set. Clearly, both coaches had done a nice job preparing for this game. Both teams had difficulty getting shots to fall.
The second half had a slightly quicker pace. Dayspring Christian took their first lead of the game, 17 to 15, early in the third quarter on a jumper by junior Miracle Johnsons. The teams traded leads in the third quarter, then, late in the third frame, Dayspring Christian went up 25 to 20 on a hoop inside by Ployd. High Point Baptist responded with a 6 to 0 run that continued into the fourth quarter on a jumper by Austin May, a putback by Nehemiah Seifert, and a fast break layup by May. That made it 26 to 25, High Point Baptist. Dayspring Christian immediately recaptured the lead, 28 to 26, on a three point play by senior Jackson Stone. Then, High Point Baptist’s Mason Rogers swung into action. He tied the game at 28 with a hoop, then, after Dayspring Christian regained the lead on a hoop inside by senior Austin Myers, Rogers tied the game at 30 with two free throws with 2:58 left in regulation. Once again, Dayspring Christian went up by two, this time on a drive by Ployd. Determined High Point Baptist tied the game at 32 with 1:13 left on two free throws by senior Drew Hoffman. Dayspring Christian missed a shot, and High Point Baptist got the rebound. In the ensuing possession, High Point’s Rogers scored on a putback to give his team a 34 to 32 lead. Then, Rogers made three of four free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
For the game, High Point Baptist out-rebounded Dayspring Christian 33 to 25. Both teams committed 15 turnovers. High Point Baptist was 14 of 19 from the free throw line, and Dayspring Christian was nine of 15. Each team made one 3-pointer.
At the conclusion of the game, Dayspring Christian’s fans gave the team a long standing ovation. After the teams shook hands, the players and coaches formed a circle at midcourt with arms around each other’s shoulders, and they prayed together. It was very moving.
High Point Baptist lifted their record to 13-7. Dayspring Christian finished the season with an 18-6 record.
High Point Baptist Academy scoring: Drew Hoffman 13, Mason Rogers 11, Austin May 6, Matthew Meshey 3, Nick Harris 2, and Nehemiah Seifert 2.
Dayspring Christian Academy scoring: Cole Ployd 13, Jackson Stone 12, Austin Myers 4, Micah Lauer 3, and Miracle Johnsons 2.
High Point Baptist Academy 9 6 7 15-37
Dayspring Christian Academy 7 8 10 9-34
On Twitter: @david_kehler
Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops
