Jacksonville FL- Mark Flakus led the entire court with 20 points, and K.J. Jackson scored an even dozen as the Episcopal Eagles defeated the Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors 55-44 in the 2020-2021 season opener Monday night at Trinity.
This was a district game in Class 3A, District 2.
Flakus scored his 20 points in a variety of ways. He buried a trio of long-range three-pointers in the first half, spread five consecutive free throws over the second and third periods, and added three lay-ups. Flakus scored 15 of his 20 points in the second and third periods combined and helped turn a 10-point deficit late in the second into a three-point lead after three.
Jackson also made three three-point shots and added a free throw and a deuce to compile his 12 points. After Trinity’s Travis King hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 40-all just seconds into the fourth quarter, Jackson responded immediately with his third three of the night to give Episcopal the lead right back; the Eagles never trailed again.
The two teams traded leads throughout the first four minutes until Trinity scored 10 of the next 11 points to take a 13-5 lead after one. Episcopal, though, had a big 16-point second quarter that included a 14-4 run that eventually tied the score at 21 with less than a minute left on the clock.
Flakus scored 10 points in that second period.
Trinity’s R.J. Albury hit two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining, and the Conquerors took a 23-21 lead into the intermission.
While Flakus and Jackson combined for 10 third-quarter points, Trinity’s Juwan Green tallied 12. The difference, though, was Episcopal’s Matthew Hendrickson scoring 7 points of his own as the Eagles outscored Trinity 19-14 and led 40-37 at quarter’s end.
Beza Miller took over for Episcopal in the fourth. Miller scored 6 points in the period as Episcopal outscored Trinity 15-7 to put up the game’s final margin.
Both teams did an excellent job at the line. Trinity was 8 for 12, and Green hit five free throws. Episcopal converted 14 of 17 at the line with Flakus and Hendrickson combining for 10 of 11.
Hendrickson finished the night in double digits with 11, and Miller totaled 8. Jacob Hauser and Parker Chapel each scored 2 for the Eagles.
Green totaled 16 for the Conquerors and Albury tallied 9. King and Jamaree Spikes each scored 5 while Donavon Paris had 4, Evan Wilson hit a 3-pointer, and Tomarion McCray added 2. The Eagles (1-0) will play at district rival Bishop Snyder on Tuesday and then enjoy the Thanksgiving Break. They will then play three times next week. Trinity (0-1) has the rest of the week off before hitting the court four tim
