3 observations from FACS’s win over ECS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Assembly Christian School defeated Evangelical Christian School, 64-61, in double overtime Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are 3 observations from the Crusaders' win over the Eagles:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clutch gene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down 61-59 in the second overtime, FACS (12-3) was on the verge of suffering its first home loss of the season. The Crusaders, who are one of the most talented teams in Tennessee, didn't shoot the basketball particularly well and couldn't get into a nice rhythm. It was an ugly game for FACS, which needed an important basket from someone. With under 10 seconds left to go, trailing by one, sophomore wing <strong>MJ</strong> <strong>Hayes</strong> elevated high enough from the left wing to knock down the 3, giving himself and his teammates a sigh of relief after a so-so offensive night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes, who's 6-foot-5, can make timely baskets on a regular. He's known for his scoring ability. As his peers stared at him on that pivotal 3-pointer, it shouldn't have been a shock it went in. Hayes and junior point guard <strong>Jacob</strong> <strong>Walker</strong> both finished with 15 points. Junior wing <strong>Kris</strong> <strong>Carroll</strong>, who made a 3 late in the fourth quarter to get the game into its first overtime, led the team with 16 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before Hayes' big shot, Brian Shields connected on a wide open 3 from the top of the key to give the Crusaders a short-lived 59-58 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Missing Jackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore point guard <strong>Cello</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong> left the game early in the first half as he was dealing with a lower body injury. Without his presence on the floor, FACS, on too many possessions, struggled to generate steady offense and gave up too many easy scores. Jackson does everything for the Crusaders. He's a great decision maker, ball handler, aggressor on defense, and a dog when it comes to going for loose balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Royston is the Eagles' best playmaker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Tuesday night, it shouldn't be a debate on who should have the basketball in his hands. It's junior guard <strong>Landon</strong> <strong>Royston</strong>, who led ECS (2-7) with 20 points. At 6-6, Royston did a great job attacking the basket, especially when the smaller Walker or Shields guarded him. The offense was very much in sync each possession he had the basketball in his hands. Royston did a great job of finding his teammates open for shots. He was able to generate for all of his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='2363258' first='Ryan' last='Scott'] and Nick Owens connected on big shots Tuesday night, thanks to the court vision of Royston. The only thing Royston didn't do was take advantage of his opportunities from the free throw line. He went 2 for 6. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott finished with 15 points. Junior guard <strong>Tyler</strong> <strong>Jones</strong> added 11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->