Just a week and half after playing each other in Athens, Monsignor Dononvan High School made the 69-mile road trip to Holy Spirit Preparatory School, where the two met on the hard court again. In the Dec. 8 game the Holy Spirit girls took a 13-4 lead into halftime, held off a stiff challenge by their Monsignor Donovan opponents and came away with a 23-21 victory. Junior center Chika Adibe led Holy Spirit with 12 points and 9 rebounds. With the win Holy Spirit improved their record to 3-3, while Monsignor Donovan fell to 0-4. Their guards Hannah Chapman and Sarah Casso led the team in scoring with 11 and 6 points, respectively. Junior center Macy Baugh also pulled down 10 rebounds. Both girls varsity basketball programs are in their early stages of existence. This is the second season for the Monsignor Donovan program and the first year for Holy Spirit.

In the boys game, Monsignor Donovan broke out to an early 3-0 lead after senior forward Sam Tonge buried a 3-pointer, but by the end of the first period Holy Spirit pulled even at 12. Monsignor Donovan held a slim two-point lead at halftime.

In the second half, it was nip and tuck once again. Holy Spirit took their first lead (37-36) around the 3:00 mark of the third period on the 3-point shooting of freshman guard Chase Handley. By the end of the third period, Monsignor Donovan regained the lead 41-40. With just over 4:00 remaining in the game, Monsignor Donovan clung to a 47-43 lead. Holy Spirit’s front line had a slight edge in size, but in the closing minutes of the game Monsignor Donovan was quicker to the ball. Junior center Ben Waldron pulled down a number of rebounds that were turned into easy fast break points for Monsignor Donovan senior guards Shea Glassman and Andy Cray. Glassman finished with 16 points and Cray added 15 points. Waldron had a double-double (12 points and 16 rebounds) to go with his solid defensive play down the stretch.

In the end Monsignor Donovan prevailed 58-48. Holy Spirit drops to 1-4 on the season. Monsignor Donovan improved their record to 3-2. The team only won one game during the entire 2006 season. In an e-mail Cray said, “After the game, all of the guys’ emotions were really high. In the past our attitude was poor because we had become accustomed to not playing well. This year we are more mature and have a stronger bond as a team. Each win is even more special for the seniors because it’s our last chance to leave a mark on our school.”

Monsignor Donovan will host back-to-back games on Dec. 14 against Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, and on Dec. 15 against Gatewood School, Eatonton. Holy Spirit goes to Newnan to take on The Heritage School Dec. 14.