The Harrells Christian Academy varsity boys and girls lost road games to Village Christian Tuesday night, the girls in a breath-holding 45-43 match and the boys by a far larger margin, 65-52.

Girls

In the barn-burner girls game, the Lady Crusaders started out on top, leading after one quarter 10-6 and controlling the second period, taking a 28-17 lead into the half.

But Village Christian wouldn’t go away, easing their way back in the third quarter and holding Harrells at the same time. At the end of the frame, the score was 37-21.

The fourth quarter proved to be the turnaround for Village, who outscored Harrells 23 to 6 to get back in the game and secure the win.

Regan Murphy led scoring for the Lady Crusaders with 19 points and 4 rebounds. Also scoring was Choloe Campbell, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; Bucky Everette, 7 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 blocks; Margaret Clark, 4 points, 4 rebounds; Emily Benton, 2 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals; Anna Huff, 2 points, 6 rebounds; and Haylee Parks, 2 points and 3 rebounds.

The loss puts Harrells record at 15-3 overall and 7-2 in conference. Their next game is Thursday, Feb. 7 at home versus Coastal Christian High School.

Boys

The varsity Crusaders put up a valiant effort against the home playing Village Christian team, but couldn’t secure the win.

Village led after the first quarter 17-6, but the Crusaders fought hard to overcome the deficit. Village, however, had other ideas, pouring on the defense in the second period and creating offense from turnovers. At the break Village was up 42-17.

But the Crusaders continued to give it all they had, staying in the game and fighting their way back from a double-digit deficit. The Harrells boys had a strong showing in the fourth, outscoring Village 20 to 5, but the spurt was too late to overcome the deficit.

Graham DiPinto led scoring for the Crusaders with 24 points. Also scoring was Patrick Walker, 6; Kelly Nelms, 6;Hayden Parks, 4; Josh Driskill, 4; Zack Carlton, 2; Zachary Batts, 2; Chris Cannady, 2; John Wesley Hairr, 1

The loss moves the boys’ record to 4-13 overall and 1-7 in conference play. They host Coastal Christian School Friday night.