Evangel Christian continued its strong start to the season, improving to 8-1 Friday with an 86-73 victory over Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic at the West Kentucky Hoops Classic in Princeton.
Christian Doerr had 28 points on 10 of 13 shooting from the floor as the Eagles finished up their first trip to Caldwell County’s holiday event with a 2-0 mark.
A testament to the stiff competition in the Hoops Classic, Knoxville Catholic brought a 9-2 mark to Princeton and left 9-4.
But the Fighting Irish made it a tight game for a half, and never let Evangel Christian feel comfortable about the outcome until the final minutes.
Knoxville Catholic led 24-20 after one period before Evangel Christian got to halftime with a narrow 40-38 advantage.
However, the Eagles used a 25-9 advantage in the third quarter to extend the margin to 65-47.
Knoxville Catholic got back to within single digits in the fourth quarter before the Louisville school held on for the 13-point triumph.
In addition to Doerr’s big game, Evangel Christian got points from Kyran Tilley and 14 from Davier White.
Cade Murphy had 20 points for Knoxville Catholic. Carson Asbaty had 13, Jayson Gainey 12 and Caleb Asbaty 10.
Doerr and Murphy were the Hoops Classic Players of the Game.
Evangel Christian opened the event with a win over Rossview (Tenn.) on Thursday.
Knoxville Catholic fell to Ben Davis (Ind.) on Thursday.
Knoxville Catholic 24 14 9 26 — 73
Evangel Christian 20 20 25 21 — 86
Knoxville Catholic (9-4)—Murphy 20, Car. Asbaty 13, Gainey 12, Cal. Asbaty 10, Stovall 7, Book 5, Eleam2, Renfree 2, Turbyville 2.
Evangel Christian (8-1)—Doerr 28, Tilley 20, White 14, Chitapa 9, Djema 8, Trice 7.
