Porter’s Chapel knocks down Tallulah Academy

Published 8:36 am Friday, December 29, 2023

Porter’s Chapel Academy’s basketball teams moved a game up on their schedule, and another number higher in the win column.

Jae’la Smith finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and four assists as Porter’s Chapel routed Tallulah Academy 68-26 in the girls’ half of a doubleheader Thursday.

PCA also won the boys’ game, 60-34. The two games were originally scheduled for Jan. 4, but moved up a week by mutual agreement.

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The Lady Eagles (6-0) defeated Tallulah for the second time in two weeks. They won the first meeting by six points, but turned the rematch into a blowout with some outstanding shooting.

Sophie Masterson made three of PCA’s seven 3-pointers, and the Lady Eagles shot 60 percent (27-for-45) as a team. They also made 7 of 10 free throws.

Smith had 11 points and Marley Bufkin eight in the first quarter to help PCA race to a 27-5 lead.

Masterson finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Lauren Madison added 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Bufkin scored eight points.

Emma Collins and Abigail Kennedy led Tallulah Academy with eight points apiece.

PCA will be play its first two games of 2024 on the road. It will go to Franklin Academy on Jan. 5, and River Oaks on Jan. 8.

Boys
Porter’s Chapel 60, Tallulah Academy 34
Ty Mack had a double-double, with 21 points and 10 rebounds, to lead Porter’s Chapel (6-1) past Tallulah Academy in Thursday’s boys’ game.

PCA only led 25-23 at halftime, but outscored Tallulah 23-6 in the third quarter to take control. Jase Jung had six of his eight points in the decisive surge, and also finished with 12 rebounds and three steals.

Noah Porter finished with 15 points and five rebounds for PCA, while Gavin White scored 10 points.

Mack also padded his double-double stat line with four assists and three steals.

Omarion Strange led Tallulah with nine points. Caden Allen and Mac Cagnolatti added six apiece, and Charlie Vining scored five.