Providence Day upsets nationally ranked High Point Christian
Saturday night in the finale of the Charlotte Hoops Challenge, not only did the Providence Day Chargers take on the 12th ranked team in the nation (the High Point Christian Cougars) but also their 6th ranked recruit in 6-foot, 10-inch Edrice “Bam” Adebayo.
The Chargers played stellar defense and got well-balanced scoring for a 76-66 win over the Cougars in front of a standing-room only crowd at Myers Park High School.
Saturday the Chargers proved they belonged with the nations big boys. Providence Day sophomore guard Trey Wertz led the Chargers with 22 points, including 14 in the second half. Wertz also sank ten free throws in the game’s final minutes to curtail any late comeback hopes by High Point Christian.
Devin Dotson poured in 18 for the Chargers while Grant Williams added 13. Wertz got Providence Day off to a quick start with five points in the game’s first few minutes.
“It was definitely a full, all-out team effort,” said Wertz. “They put me in the right spots to do what I did and I think I stepped up tonight. It was definitely good to get off to an early start. You build your confidence as a team and personally.”
Adebayo (Kentucky commit) had a game-high 23 points, but did not overwhelm Williams, Providence Day’s 6-foot, 7-inch big man. Abedayo was rejected twice by Williams who scored 13 points and was one of five Chargers players in double figures.
“Edrice (Adebayo) is tough,” said Providence Day coach Brian Fields. “He may easily be one of the top three high school players we have ever seen. Grant is fearless too and I thought he played very strong. He got him in foul trouble early; got in his head and we wanted to make him a jump shooter tonight. Grant’s a warrior, a winner.”
The Chargers got off to a terrific start leading after one quarter 20-5. But in the second quarter High Point Christian went on an 11-0 run to cut the Providence Day lead to 20-16. The Chargers didn’t score a point until 3:41 left in the half, but out-scored the Cougars 13-6 the rest of the quarter. The Cougars never led at any point in the game.
QUOTE: “I was wondering which fan pulled it. (the power plug). We came out and actually got a play right out of that time out. It definitely let us catch our breath a little bit.” Providence Day coach Brian Fields commenting on a power failure that caused the gym lights to go out for five minutes with 1:49 left in the game.
RECORDS: High Point Christian (4-1), Providence Day (4-2)
WHAT’S NEXT: Providence Day is back in action Tuesday hosting Greensboro Day while High Point Christian will host Christ School this Friday.
This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Providence Day upsets nationally ranked High Point Christian."