Shining Light/Raleigh Christian Academy: Recap/Standouts
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The Raleigh Christian Academy Eagles got their first victory of the season with a 76-66 victory over the Shining Light Academy Knights on Tuesday night. Take a look at the recap and the standouts below. The Raleigh Christian Academy Eagles…
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Continue ReadingThe Raleigh Christian Academy Eagles got their first victory of the season with a 76-66 victory over the Shining Light Academy Knights on Tuesday night. Take a look at the recap and the standouts below.
The Raleigh Christian Academy Eagles hosted their first home game of the 2022-23 season on Tuesday night as they hosted the Shining Light Academy Knights in a back-and-forth battle between two well-coached groups. Things got off to a fast start for both squads right away as 2023 guard Jake Schneider Jake Schneider 6'3" | SF Shining Light Academy | 2023 NC was an early face to get to know for the Knights alongside Jordan Pyke Jordan Pyke 6'7" | PF Shining Light Academy | 2023 State NC , a well-known face to PrepHoops NC.
Pyke and Schneider would combine for the Knights’ first 15 points as Pyke opened the game with a quick seven points and Schneider showed his prowess on the perimeter with eight points to the tune of two made 3-pointers. Shots from Akila Proctor Akila Proctor 6'1" | SG St. David's | 2025 State NC and Jakel Powell Jakel Powell 6'5" | SF Raleigh Christian Academy | 2024 NC and a late surge from 2024 guard Gabe Marquis Gabe Marquis 6'1" | CG Greenfield | 2024 State NC would keep pace with Shining Light though, as things finished all tied up at 15 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Proctor and Powell really got going for the Raleigh Christian offense as Proctor would score 10 of his 13 points in the frame, showing off his range on the perimeter and ability to move without the ball in space. Powell was much more reserved in Game 2 of the season, taking what the defense gave him and getting to the free throw line. He finished with five points in the second quarter. Shining Light wouldn’t go away quietly however, as Schneider knocked down another three 3-pointers in the second quarter to pace his squad with 17 points in the first half.
At the half, things remained all tied up at 35-35.
In the third quarter though, the Eagles would start to create some separation. Powell poured in seven of the team’s 16 points, showing off some range and getting to his spots off the bounce. The Eagles defense held the Knights to just nine points in the third quarter to create a 51-44 lead in the process.
In the fourth quarter, the guard play of Gabe Marquis Gabe Marquis 6'1" | CG Greenfield | 2024 State NC took over once again. He went off for 11 of his 23 points in the final quarter and controlled the pace of the game with his ability to draw fouls on the Knights. Jordan Pyke Jordan Pyke 6'7" | PF Shining Light Academy | 2023 State NC would still finish with 18 points but he fouled out with roughly two minutes left in the game. Jake Schneider Jake Schneider 6'3" | SF Shining Light Academy | 2023 NC led all scorers for Shining Light Academy with 19 points.
Marquis was impressive once again at the lead guard spot for the Raleigh Christian Academy Eagles as it came this time in victory. He would finish with a game-high 23 points to go along with four assists and a steal. He continues to impress with his ability to be an efficient presence in the backcourt. He shot 7-of-11 in the game from the floor and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Powell had a much better outing in Game 2 of the young season, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and an emphatic late block to make his presence felt down the stretch. He’s a volume shooter that showed his range a bit but was a lot more dialed in inside the 3-point arc in this one. He’s a name to continue to track in 2022-23.
Pyke was a relentless presence in the Shining Light Academy rotation. He showed he could handle the ball on the break and find others in space. He showed he could finish at the rim and even on plays where he missed, he was there to clean things up and make sure he ended on a make. Aside from battling foul trouble, he put together a solid game as a dual-forward in the Knights lineup. He’s a prospect that colleges should get eyes on this season given the energy he plays with.
Schneider was impressive with his ability to space the floor on the perimeter. He’s a 6-foot-3 wing that knocked down five 3-pointers on the night to the tune of 19 points for his squad. He’s a prospect in the 2023 class in North Carolina’s class that’s worked his way onto the watch list with his physical style of play and competitiveness as a shooter on the floor.
Proctor stepped up in a big way off the bench in this one for the Eagles with 13 points and three made 3-pointers. He’s a reserve that’s shown he’s not afraid to take shots on the perimeter when called upon. As he shows he can do other things on the floor, look for his rank to grow in the 2024 class.
Copeland was another big presence off the bench for the Eagles in this one. He showed some flashes of his ability to be a presence on the glass with a team-high 11 rebounds (4 offensive) to go along with six points, two steals and a block. He’s learning to be a presence in more ways than one with his length and athleticism in the paint. Look for him to be another name in their frontcourt to turn a corner this season.