Ben Lippen School vs. Northside Christian Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball fans at Lexington's Northside Christian Academy were in for a treat on Friday evening as the homestanding Crusaders welcomed the Falcons of nearby Ben Lippen School. The way things turned out, it had to be one of the better games across the state – particularly in the SCISA ranks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What initially appeared as if it had the potential to be a double-digit victory for the Falcons turned out to only be decided by single digits. When all was said and done, 4A Ben Lippen still eked out a close victory over 3A Northside Christian as the final score was 39-36.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Incoming </strong></em><span><strong style="font-style: italic">Records</strong></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons entered Friday evening's contest with a 5-4 record that has included already winning two of its three matchups on the road. As for the Crusaders, they entered play to begin the weekend with a mark of 3-2.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sweet Revenge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One does not have to go that far to find the last occasion where there was a get together between Ben Lippen School and Northside Christian Academy. The two SCISA powers met up earlier this month at the home of the Falcons with the Crusaders pulling off a six-point, 33-27 victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>How Things Progressed</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on, it appeared as if history would repeat itself and Northside Christian would end up in the win column again. The Crusaders began the matchup in strong fashion by jumping out to an early 7-0 lead. The Falcons responded by tallying seven of the next nine points of the first quarter resulting in a 9-7 advantage for Northside Christian at the end of the first quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of the second quarter clearly displayed that the momentum was with Ben Lippen and what was an early Crusaders lead was a erased. Going into halftime, it was the Falcons that pushed the gap to six as it was 22-16 at the midway point.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More of the same was the case after three quarters were complete as Ben Lippen continued to up its deficit between them and their Lexington County-based opposition. After three, it was 35-21 in favor of the Falcons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northside Christian mounted a furious comeback effort in the fourth quarter, but unfortunately for the team and the Crusaders fans in attendance, said bid fell short.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568223,"width":426,"height":278,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3515-crop-2141x1406-1671291489.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568223" width="426" height="278" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading point-getter for Ben Lippen school turned out to be a standout off of its bench. <strong>Lane Swan</strong> (2024) scored 12 points – nine of which were put on the board in the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568225,"width":428,"height":279,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3467-crop-2231x1465-1671291580.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568225" width="428" height="279" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MeiLynn Bailey</strong> (2026) added 10 points to the Falcons' cause.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568227,"width":432,"height":282,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3551-crop-3340x2193-1671291652.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568227" width="432" height="282" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Crusaders, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216947' first='Shandrea' last='Pringle']</strong> led all scorers with 17. She had 14 of those 17 in the second half as she spearheaded Northside Christian's valiant comeback bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":568229,"width":433,"height":282,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/IMG_3461-crop-2141x1406-1671291725.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-568229" width="433" height="282" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299567' first='Layla' last='Parker']</strong> contributed 10 points for the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Up Next…</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Lippen has roughly two weeks before they return to the court, then they will participate in an end-of-year tournament with its first matchup being against Richard Winn Academy on Dec. 28. This Monday, the Crusaders take to the road as they will meet up with Greenwood Academy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->