Warriors improved to 14-1 after decisive region road victory at Concord Christian
When the Christian Academy of Knoxville boys basketball team took to the floor for the first time in 2025, it was looking to rebound from its first loss of the season. And the bad memories probably were still lingering.
The Warriors lost to Bell County (Kentucky) 48-43 Monday, Dec. 23, and had to wait 10 days for another opportunity to play. When they got the chance to hit the hardwood again, they came out and wasted little time finding their shooting touch from beyond the 3-point arc.
CAK (14-1 overall, 8-0 in region play starting the week) made six long-range jumpers in the first quarter on its way to a 70-41 Division II-A East Region victory over Concord Christian School Friday night, Jan. 3, before a packed house at CCS.
The Warriors made just one two-pointer over the first eight minutes, but thanks to their success from beyond the arc, CAK had a 22-14 advantage at the end of the opening frame. Zach Coffman converted four 3-pointers in the first quarter, while Bryson White and Caden Owens each knocked down one shot from long range.
But it was Christian Academy’s lack of early defensive intensity that left head coach J.D. Johnson concerned.
“I think we came out and played well offensively in the first half, particularly in the first quarter,” Johnson said after watching the Warriors keep their perfect league record intact and remain undefeated against teams from Tennessee this season. “But defensively, we didn’t have our intensity, and they scored more points than I would’ve liked.
“We did a little better in the second quarter — and then we came out in the third quarter, and that was us,” he added.
CAK never trailed in the contest, but Johnson said the Concord Christian Gymnasium is always a difficult venue for opposing teams to enjoy sustained success.
“This is a tough place to play,” he said. “We’ve had some big wins over here, but this is always a tough place.”
The Warriors, however, put the ingredients together for a winning recipe against the young Lions, who dropped to 2-11 overall and 1-5 in league play.
CAK made 12 three-pointers at Concord, including nine before halftime. The Warriors led 37-24 at halftime before putting the game out of reach with a 20-10 run in the third stanza.
CAK had four players post double figures in the scoring column. Owens led the way with 19 points. He also pulled down three rebounds and dished out two assists. Coffman added 16 points and grabbed six boards.
White, who recently won the 2024 Division II-A individual golf state tournament championship for the Warriors, had 11 points, including eight after halftime. He also recorded three rebounds. Teeno Hutchinson finished with 10 points and five rebounds for Christian Academy.
For the Lions and first-year head coach Mike Evers, the game represented another chapter in a season of growing pains.
“We’re very inexperienced. We have five seniors and they’ve shown great leadership and been good leaders, but we only have two players who played significant varsity minutes last year,” Evers said. “We have another who played in spots.
“We’ve had six freshmen and sophomores playing varsity this season,” he added. “I look forward to them really being able to help us next year.
About CAK, “They have a great team. They’re well-coached and J.D. does a great job,” Evers said. “They shoot well and they play a tough straight-up (man-to-man) defense.”
Parker led CCS with 11 points. Jace Gheen added eight.
