Palmetto Christian Academy girls playing their best basketball

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Mt. Pleasant – First year Head Coach Jimmy Tyson brought a different style of basketball to Palmetto Christian Academy and it took a little time for his team to get custom to the changes and different style from years past but after starting the year at 4-4 they have won 9 of their last 10 games.

Coach Tyson’s team is a more balanced team this year as they have six players averaging at least five points per game. That balance has been the reason why they sit at 13-5 overall and 3-1 in SCISA region II 4A. The Eagles losses have been to quality teams and should help them as they continued their drive towards the playoffs.

“You never like to lose but I told the team that those losses would help us as the season goes on. We have some of the top teams in the state in our region. This games will prepare us for the challenges ahead,” said coach Tyson.

Senior Avery Clark has taken on more of a leadership role this season as one of the two seniors on the team. She is averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Her 7.1 rebounds per game leads the team. She is scoring 7.5 ppg and 2.5 steals both are third on the team.

Adelaide Suddeth, a junior, leads PCA in scoring at 10.1 points per games and in steals at 3.2 per game. Her 6.9 rebounds is second on the team. She and Clark do their damage in the paint.

Ellie Tyson transferred in before season and the junior brought with her a nice touch from beyond the arc as she is hitting 43% of her threes. She is second on the team in scoring at 7.8 points per game.

Point guard junior Audrey Bright leads the team in assists at 2.5 a game and is the team’s top free throw shooter at 68%. She is scoring 5.4 points per game and two steals a night.

Two sophomores that are playing well are Elsie Newton and Anna Grace Works. Newton is averaging 7.3 points per game and is second on the team in steals at 2.9 a game while Works is knocking down six points a night and grabbing 7 boards.

Freshman Ripley Suddeth has provided a spark off the bench chipping in four points and three rebounds.

The Eagles have a big game tomorrow night (1-20) against region leader and one of the top teams in the state Northwood Academy 18-1.