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A Monday Night Thriller

Harvest Christian Academy Outlasts Lyford 51-49 in a thriller.

Harvest Christian Academy Poses for a Team Photo after their win.

By Ruben Rodriguez

Rio Sports Live

LYFORD- The Lyford Bulldogs played host to the Harvest Christian Academy Eagles in a Non-District Matchup. While what seemed like a late Non-District game, The Bulldogs are at the Midway point of District 32-3A action. Meanwhile, Harvest Christian Academy is yet to begin District play in TAPPS 2A Basketball.

Lyford started off the first quarter on a high note as Jordan De Luna put up six points right out the gate. Alongside De Luna in the first quarter, Smiley Moreno and Gael Silva combined for five points to help propel Lyford up 11-9. 

After a close first quarter, Lyford would increase and build upon their lead as both Randy Garza and Noah Guzman netted in six points. De Luna also tacked on four more points while Aaron Morales tacked on 2. For Harvest Christian Academy, Orlando Munoz led the offense with seven points, followed by Juan Zavedra with six points. Lyford now led 32-23 at the half.

Despite trailing for a majority of the game, HCA was down but not out as Munoz heated up from out beyond the arc, hitting three consecutive three pointers and drew up key plays. Noah Cruz and Matt Garza also combined for seven to close out Lyford’s lead.

Orlando Munoz earned Economy Awards Co. Player of the Game for his contributions for the team win.

In the fourth, the tide turned in the favor of HCA as Munoz continued to be red hot from outside the arc, hitting two more shots from out beyond the three-point line. Late in the fourth, Noel Cardenas had a steal and score to give HCA the lead for the first time in the game. De Luna and company would not go away that easy as Lyford put up key baskets to cut it down to a one point game. Crucial free throws led the way for HCA as the Eagles would hold off to win 51-49.

“It was a hard, tough  game, but to end the Non-District season on a good note is a blessing”, said HCA Head Coach Oscar Brown. 

Throughout the game, HCA trailed Lyford, but that did not affect Coach Brown and company. “”We just had to stay calm and collected”, said Brown. “We’ve been here before, we knew what we had to do”. 

Harvest Christian Academy will get right back to work as the Eagles will open up District play against the Macedonian Lions.