CCS Chargers bolt to 20th straight victory
As second-ranked Chattanooga Christian hopes to have a repeat of its 2001 basketball state championship, its experienced leaders know to take the ride one step at a time.
After a 3-3 start to the season, the Chargers have bolted to 20 straight wins and have what coach Eddie Salter says is one of the “deepest teams” he has ever had in 32 years at the school.
Still, after a smooth-sailing 68-44 victory over Knoxville’s First Baptist Academy in a Division II-A East Region quarterfinal Monday night, senior point guard Amos Davenport knows to not look too far ahead.
“We all have to realize it’s one step, one game, one win at a time,” said Davenport, who had seven points and seven assists in what he hopes won’t be the last time in front of his home crowd. “If we keep that mindset and play hard every night, we have a chance.” A chance at winning it all. The last time the Chargers did so a Salter-led bunch forced 23 turnovers to defeat Ezell-Harding by three for the Class A state title in the Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro.
“Our guys have bought into putting ‘we’ above ‘me,’” the veteran coach said. “I got the motto from the volleyball team. Our kids look out for one another, not just themselves.”
With a 6-foot-5 powerhouse presence in Michael Houge down low, CCS (23-3) knows where its bread and butter is on the offensive end.
Houge steamrolled the FBA defense early as he banged in the post for a dozen first-quarter points on his way to finishing the night with 23 points, 15 rebounds and four assists.
Drawing triple teams down low at times, Houge has the unselfish trait along with the first-round-knockout mentality.
“When we can punch a team in the mouth early and go down low, we are going to get our good looks from outside as well,” Houge said. “Our ultimate goal is a state championship. It is possible. We just have to come out and give it our all every night.”
The Chargers scored the game’s first nine points in just two minutes and led 43-22 at halftime. Houge had a double-double by 58 seconds into the second half.
Grant Vanmeter added 11 points for CCS, while sharpshooter Jackson Hilger knocked down two 3-pointers to add eight points along with Mondo Ellison.
Even with a quiet night from senior go-to guard John Rhodes, who finished with four points but five assists and three steals, the lights will turn a little brighter this weekend.
The Chargers will take a trip to Knoxville to face the defending state champions in Grace Christian (21-11) in the region semifinals this Friday. CCS fell just 61-59 to Knoxville Grace last year on Dec. 16.
With 94 wins over the past four seasons and counting, one of the most successful groups in school history looks to keep peaking at the right time.
“We went to the Elite Eight last year,” Salter said. “We want to remember what got us there and what kept us from getting a little further. We want to be thankful and make sure we stay focused.”
FBA (11-13) was led by Jack Brown’s 21 points.