Jordan Christian dominates en route to winning 3rd straight NACA title
Jordan Christian Prep moved up two division and expected to see stiff competition at the national tournament. The Seahawks will have to wait to next season to see that competition.
JCP tore through their three opponents, defeating Lancaster Christian (Tenn.), 75-46, on Friday in the championship game to become the Division 5 champions at the NACA National Boys Basketball Tournament in Tennessee.
The Seahawks (30-7) became just the sixth team in 43 years to win three consecutive national titles. They were the Division 7 champions two years ago and the Division 8 champions last year.Sophomore Zay Mosley and senior D'Angelo Parker were all-tournament selections and led Jordan Christian as the Seahawks won all three games in the tournament by an average of 31.0 points.
"This is the time of the season to play your best basketball, and that's what you want," JCP coach Mike Guastella said. "Division 5 is the highest division we've ever played in. We were ready for that level. I think this year the biggest difference in the tournament was our size. Zay and Parker were just too difficult for most teams and (William) Reyes too. Their length and size, their ability to rebound and second-chance opportunities were just a lot."
In the championship game, Lancaster Christian hung with JCP early as the score was tied, 18-18, midway through the second quarter. The Seahawks, however, went on a 14-0 run to end the first half with a 32-18 lead then ran away in the second half. Lancaster Christian didn't score over the last four minutes of the first half.
The biggest adjustment JCP made in the second half was opening to open up the game to use the length of the game. The first half was a slower paced than the second half. The shahs were able to get out in transition more in the second half, which allowed their big men to dominate more.
"They were a solid team," Guastella said. They were well-coached. They ran good stuff. They have some good athletes, but they were outsized."
Parker finished with 19 points 13 rebounds, Mosley had an all-around game with 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Reyes added 11 points and seven rebounds, Gary Nevarez had nine points and five steals, and Vlad Yacamen scored eight points with five assists.
Jordan Christian opened the tournament with an 82-35 victory over Tennessee Christian Prep. Mosley led the way with 12 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, and Parker had finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
The Seahawks had balanced contributions from Nevarez 12 points, Jickesson Mason with 11 points, Vlad Yacamen with Nietzsches points and four assists, and Hans Doraleus with nine points and nine rebounds.
In the semifinals, JCP had this closest game as it defeated Maryville Christian, 68-51.Yacamen erupted for 18 points to lead the Seahawks, Mosley had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Parker had 14 point and 10 rebounds, and Reyes had 10 points.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Jordan Christian dominates en route to winning 3rd straight NACA title
