Excel Christian falls in final Christmas tourney games

UNION GROVE GIRLS 37, EXCEL CHRISTIAN 30

Although the Lady Eagles went toe-to-toe with Union Grove for the final three quarters, Excel could not overcome a nine-point deficit after one quarter in a 37-30 loss Tuesday afternoon in the fifth place game of the NPHS Christmas Classic at North Paulding High School.

India Smith scored a game-high 14 points to lead Union Grove (6-6). Brooks Rickesc added 8 and Kara Spivey scored six points for Lady Wolverines.

Excel (6-6) was led in scoring by Rylie Boston with 10. Brighton McCollum scored six points, followed by Xena Enos and Anna Lane Hattaway with four each. Whitney Harris and Kalli Beth Scheff each scored three points.

Excel hosts Mt. Zion-Carroll Jan. 5 for their next game. The Lady Eagles will then travel to North Cobb Christian Jan. 8 and Adairsville Jan. 9.

CREEKVIEW BOYS 78, EXCEL CHRISTIAN 70

The Creekview Grizzlies used a strong third quarter performance to separate themselves from the Eagles Tuesday evening in the third place game of the NPHS Christmas Classic at North Paulding High School.

Excel Christian trailed 18-10 after one quarter and 36-28 at the intermission, but the Grizzlies opened up a 22-point lead in the third quarter by outscoring the Eagles 24-10 in the period.

ECA rallied with a big fourth quarter effort, but fell to 5-7 on the year with the loss. Creekview improved to 7-6 for the season.

The Grizzlies got 15 points from Zach Russell. Cole Killen scored 14. Weber Sandlin and Chandler Wright added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Chris Hale and Darius Thrower led the Eagles with 17 points each. Caleb West poured in 16 and Joseph Cuomo scored 12 points for Excel. Latrel Jones chipped in with five points and Hunter Johnson added three.

Excel hosts Mt. Zion-Carroll Jan. 5 before traveling to North Cobb Christian Jan. 8 and Adairsville Jan. 9.