The CCA Varsity Boys basketball team entered the Missouri Christian School Athletic Association tournament as the number 1 seed in Division III after a 13-8 regular season record. The number 1 seed was based in part upon its strength of schedule in the Mo-Kan Conference where the team finished tied for 3rd place.
In its opening game CCA faced off with Victory Christian Academy from the St. Louis, MO area. CCA led 35-20 at half and pulled away in the 3rd quarter with a 14-3 spurt on the way to a 64-36 win. Sophomore Raymond Hood led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Freshman Parker Lowe pitched in 14 points followed by Isaac Curnutte and Mason Plumb with 8 points each.
In the semifinal game CCA played Berean Christian Academy from Monette, MO. The team played one of its best quarters of the year racing to a 24-4 lead based upon the team defensive trap and the hot shooting of Isaac Curnutte. The team won 67-47 with Hood scoring 21 and grabbing 13 rebounds, Freshman Collin Higgins netting 16 points on only 9 shots, and Lowe with 14 points. The boys after a program high 3rd place last year, advanced to its first Championship game in its six-year of varsity competition. They faced off with Maranatha Baptist Academy from Saint Robert, MO for the title. In a back and forth game the teams were tied at 24 early in the 3rd quarter before the defensive pressure of CCA took its toll. The team was able to push out to a double-digit lead behind the hot shooting of Leo Prus who made his last four shots on the way to 8 points. The top of the press led by Prus, Colten Manning, and Plumb had the Patriots up by the score of 40-32 entering the 4th quarter. The team then held on for a 51-42 win for its first state division title in the boy’s program history with Hadley Hyke sealing the win. Lowe had a big game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals. Hood, Prus, and Higgins all scored 8 points with Hood again grabbing double digit rebounds with 11. After the trophy presentation, the Division III All State teams were named with Hood earning 1st Team honors based upon his season play where he averaged just over 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. Lowe earned 2nd Team honors based in part on his defensive skills along with almost 12 points per game and over 3 steals per game.
MCSAA is comprised of Christian schools throughout Missouri, Western Illinois, and Eastern Kansas. Those teams that feel qualified to compete at the highest level of state are seeded into 8 team divisions based upon enrollment size of the school. Similar to a public school district competition the team that is able to capture 3 wins in 3 days is crowned the State Division Champion.
