3 thoughts on Fayette Academy – Freedom Prep
Freedom Prep Academy defeated Fayette Academy, 67-58, Thursday night in the Vikings’ Christmas Classic. Here are my thoughts from the matchup. Bradford’s clutch shots were pivotal in the final quarter After trailing by double digits for most of the night,…
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Continue ReadingFreedom Prep Academy defeated Fayette Academy, 67-58, Thursday night in the Vikings’ Christmas Classic.
Here are my thoughts from the matchup.
Bradford’s clutch shots were pivotal in the final quarter
After trailing by double digits for most of the night, Fayette Academy sliced its deficit to 43-35 with five minutes left in the game. The Vikings started making point-blank layups that they were missing in the first half. When it seemed as if Fayette Academy was going to rally and steal one on its home floor, junior guard Paul Bradford stopped the Vikings’ momentum.
Bradford quickly made a 3 from the left wing to put his team back up double digits. He made another one from the opposite side that killed the rest of Fayette Academy’s drive to rally back. Bradford also took advantage of his two trips to the free throw line, converting on all four of his attempts that basically sealed the win for the Eagles.
Bradford, 6-foot-2, did a solid job of breaking out of the Vikings’ full-court pressure and finding open teammates. He also did a solid job of attacking the rim. Bradford led all scorers with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Bradford came out and put his imprint on the game early on, by knocking down the game’s first 2 3-pointers.
Fayette Academy’s ball movement couldn’t lead to easy scores
Despite facing an early double-digit deficit, the Vikings were still a run away from closing the gap. Fayette Academy had great ball movement after the early minutes of the first quarter, which resulted in great opportunities at the rim, but the Vikings missed more than they would have liked. Fayette Academy was able to get in the paint on most possessions down the floor.
Hopefully, the missed scoring opportunities will not be an issue for this team once league play tips off.
Corbin Bowling Corbin Bowling 5'10" | PG Fayette Academy | 2025 State TN can play
This was my first time watching Bowling play in person. The sophomore guard can shoot it. As of matter of fact, Bowling can shoot it from deep. He was the main reason Fayette Academy made things interesting in the fourth quarter. Bowling made shots from the perimeter and even attacked the rim to draw contact. He did everything he could to lead his team to victory. Bowling led the Vikings with 24 points. His final 3 of the night came with under a minute to go. It had cut Fayette Academy’s deficit to seven (62-55). Bowling tried to follow with another 3, but it clanked off the back of the rim.
Despite the loss, I came away with impressed with how aggressive Bowling was on the offensive end. He’s definitely a bright spot for Division II A boys’ basketball and for a Vikings team that’s going to need his scoring each time it steps onto the hardwood floor.
Bowling and Bradford were named the top performers of the contest.