By MIKE RILEY
CHARLESTOWN — This early in the season, one can only predict or speculate on how the boys’ basketball season will end for Christian Academy of Indiana and Charlestown.
But one thing you can count on — any after season conversations regarding the teams will begin with some version of “What might have been.”
Charlestown defeated Christian Academy 45-44 on Tuesday as Stephen Grayson’s jump shot with 28 seconds left broke a 41-41 tie. Josh Hubbard then hit both ends of the bonus with two seconds left before the Warriors’ Aaron Byerley banked in a 3-pointer from midcourt as the buzzer sounded.
For the Pirates (4-3), three of their four wins have come by one point. And for the Warriors, in all three of their losses, they have led late in the game.
CAI lost last week to Paoli in overtime and led the Pirates 39-35 with 2:26 remaining.
The Warriors (2-3) looked to be in great shape as they forced a Pirate turnover, resulting in a Pirate timeout. But the Warriors returned the favor, turning the ball over on the inbounds play with the Pirates’ Chris Brady scoring and then converting the three-point play to pull Charlestown to within one.
Hubbard then drained a 3 to put the Pirates on top with 1:58 left. The Warriors worked the clock to 1:15, before Nathan Beckley was fouled by Brandon Evans. Beckley, who earlier missed the front end of the bonus, sank two this time to tie the score at 41.
Charlestown then turned the ball over with only four seconds off the clock. But after a Christian Academy timeout, the Warriors returned the favor, setting up Grayson’s basket.
The Warriors had a chance as Byerley had a good look at a 3 that wouldn’t fall. The long rebound was grabbed by Tyler Alexander, but he stepped out of bounds to turn the ball back over to the Pirates.
Only seven seconds remained and the Warriors needed the ball back, but had only committed three team fouls up to this point. The Pirates successfully inbounded the ball three times before Hubbard was sent to the line. These were the only two attempts on the night for Hubbard, who sank them both before Byerley banked in his bomb from just beside the midcourt sideline.
“We’ve won three games by one point,” said a smiling and somewhat amazed Charlestown coach David Null afterwards.
“The kids just keep battling through things. Tonight, it was poor shooting and we kept making mistakes. Things like that have been keeping us from getting a lead and some nights it’s poor free-throw shooting and turnovers. But these kids battle tough, they have a ‘Hate To Lose’ attitude. But we’ve yet to play 32 minutes the way we’re capable.
“We’ve also had some kids sick and some injuries, and we’ve had to battle through that.”
Grayson came off the bench to lead Charlestown with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Hubbard and Brady each added 13 points.
“Stephen just played a great all-around game, “ Null said. “He made one real important play late, getting the ball back for us after a turnover. Right now with our sickness and injuries, we’re just looking for someone to give us a spark.
“And Hubbard’s free throws — didn’t they turn out to be big?”
Charlestown shot only 17-of-51 from the floor and 4-of-20 from 3-point range, but hit 7-of-10 free throws. The Pirates turned the ball over only 16 times while forcing 22. Each team grabbed 33 rebounds.
“They really packed the zone in on us when the shots weren’t falling,” Null said. “We won’t shoot that bad every night.”
And for the other side of the coin, you need to go no further than Christian Academy coach Joe McKay.
“That’s three games we’ve lost in the last minute,” he said. “One steal here, one shot here, it could easily go the other way. We’ve missed some opportunities.”
But three games doesn’t make a season. You have to walk before you can run. And no matter how bad things are, they could be worse.
“I’ve only one kid who saw any varsity time last year,” McKay said. “Last season, we only won one game. These kids have great attitudes. It’s OK. Let’s get on to the next practice and ready for the next game. That within itself is a positive.”
Byerley scored a game-high 16 points and was the only Warrior in double figures.
Christian Academy will return to action on Friday when it hosts South Central. Charlestown will remain idle until it faces Silver Creek in the second game of the Silver Creek Holiday Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29.
“We need some time off to practice and heal, and now we’ll get it,” said Null.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 11 12 10 11—44
CHARLESTOWN 9 15 7 14—45
Christian Academy (2-3) — Byerley 16, Alexander 9, Beckley 9, M. Bruton 6, Driver 2, D. Bruton 2, Adams 0.
Charlestown (4-3) — Grayson 15, Brady 13, Hubbard 13, Thrasher 2, Evans 2, Martin 0, Baker 0, S. Reppond 0, C. Reppond 0.
Three-point goals — Christian Academy 4 (Byerley 2, Alexander, Beckley); Charlestown 4 (Hubbard 3, Grayson).
Rebounds — Christian Academy 33 (Alexander 8); Charlestown 33 (Grayson 10).
Turnovers — Christian Academy 22, Charlestown 16.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Charlestown 56 (13-13-19-11) — Vest 2, Copeland 13, Molina 2, Cheeks 3, Chastain 6, Thompson 4, C. Merschbrock 13, Smith 5, Gordon 0, Z. Merschbrock 8; Christian Academy 33 (8-11-6-8) — N. McKain 2, Taylor 7, J. McKain 0, Hammer 4, Richardson 11, Stemler 0, Stewart 9, Hayes 0.
