Kelsea McDonald from Highview Christian goes up for 2 points off a feed from sophomore forward Cassidy Lessner during their game with Greater Portland Christian in Saco Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of Christine Rice.
SACO- The Highview Christian girl’s basketball team from Charleston had a vision at the start of this season and that was to make the programs first visit to the Maine Principal Association’s basketball tournament come February. That vision is starting to become a reality. Kelsea McDonald had a double double with a game high 14 points and also a game high 17 rebounds to lead the Knights to a 39-32 Class D South victory over Greater Portland Christian at the XL Sports World Recreation Center on Thursday evening.
The first half was a feeling out process as the two teams were meeting for the first of two games this season. Neither team led by more than 4 points and it was Highview taking the lead into halftime at 19-15.
Highview (7-3) would take the largest lead of the contest on a conventional three point play from Cassidy Lessner and a bucket by McDonald made it 28-19 with 1:52 to play in the third. GPCA (5-6) would cut the lead down to 4 late in the period as Erin Robinson would swish a three pointer with 20 seconds remaining to give the Lions a chance headed to the fourth quarter.
Highview would turn up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter holding GPCA without a point for the first 3:45 and a pair of buckets by McDonald and Lessner each would be enough to seal the victory.
Along with McDonald, Lessner finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the Knights. The Lions were led by Angie Jones would had 11 points and Clarissa Jones also had a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Head Coach/Athletic Director Mike Rowe and his HCA Knights have now moved up to 6th in the latest MPA Heal Point standings. They will return to action by hosting Class C North opponent Woodland at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor on Monday at 1 p.m. Greater Portland Christian will play at Valley on Friday at 5 p.m.
HCA 4 15 12 8-39
GPC 8 7 12 5-32
Three Point Goals- HCA: Kepple GPCA: A. Jones 2, Robinson
Foul shooting: HCA 4-7 57% GPCA 5-13 38%
