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 Left pic: Chris Redlund of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro looks to pass to an open teammate during a recent boys’ basketball game. Right pic: Christina Kirby dribbles toward the basket during a recent girls’ basketball game. (Photo courtesy of Grace Baptist Christian Academy)

ATTLEBORO – After suffering through early-season slumps, the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro caught fire recently and both are now on winning streaks.

The Centurions’ boys’ squad ripped off five straight victories recently to run its string of successes to eight and to improve its season record to 9-3. More importantly, GBCA is now 6-0 against Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools opponents and firmly entrenched in first place in the league standings.

After absorbing five successive setbacks starting the season, the Centurions’ girls’ quintet recently posted back-to-back triumphs for the first time in two years and appear to be peaking as its regular-season schedule reaches the homestretch.

Boys blitz rivals

In recent outings, GBCA rattled off lopsided MACS victories over Faith Christian Academy of Palmer (51-22), Pepperell Christian Academy (50-24), Faith Christian again (54-37) and New England Baptist Academy of West Bridgewater (74-33). In a non-league clash, the Centurions also avenged a defeat earlier this season by outscoring New England Christian Academy of Swansea (62-43).

In the first win over Faith Christian, GBCA zoomed to a 27-8 lead by halftime and was never headed. Adam Bailey topped the winners with 11 points, while Chris Redlund finished with 9 points and Evan Schoepfer chipped in with 8 points.

Against Pepperell, the Centurions again led from start to finish, powered by Schoepfer’s 10-point output. Tim Yoakum contributed 7 points to the victors’ cause, while Matt Dillon, Josh Hulme and Brian Arnold all ended with 6 points.

Bailey (16), Yoakum (13) and Alex Reichert (13) all finished in double figures in scoring to highlight GBCA’s second triumph over Faith Christian. Redlund netted 8 points for the winners.

GBCA soared to a 43-18 halftime advantage against NEBA and was never seriously threatened in the final period. Reichert poured in 19 points to spark the Centurions, while Yoakum and Bailey both tallied 14 points and Arnold added 9 points.

GBCA pulled away in the second half to defeat NECA, thanks large to 19 points from Yoakum and 18 points by Bailey. Hulme and Dillon both contributed 8 points.

“We’re playing much better now than we did earlier in the season,” said GBCA coach Jeff Nichols. “We’re starting to come together on both ends of the floor and we are getting good contributions not only from our starters, but from our reserves as well.”

Girls rally for league win

GBCA’s girls’ team posted its first victory of the season by spanking New Testament Christian School of Norton, 35-13, in a non-league start. Emily Wiegand scored 12 points to lead the winners and Siobahn McLernon finished with 8 points.

The Centurions then recorded their first MACS triumph of the winter by coming from behind to stop New England Baptist Academy, 35-31. GBCA erased a four-point halftime deficit with a 14-7 burst in the third quarter and held on for its second straight triumph.

Christine Kirby topped the victors with 13 points, Wiegand chipped in with 10 points and Kate Munroe ended with 6 points.

“I thought our defense was excellent in the second half,” said GBCA coach Jeff Bailey. “Everyone played well, but Olivia Beals was especially effective coming off the bench in the fourth quarter and holding NEBA’s top scorer to just one point with aggressive defense.”

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