Nine days into the new year, the Pinecrest Academy boys defeated their rivals Holy Spirit Preparatory 69-42 in the first of two meetings this season.

After being fouled under the basket, Pinecrest Academy guard and team captain Joe Neiner, third from right, gives teammate John DePalma a “high five” as he walks to the free throw line. Neiner finished with 19 points as Pinecrest defeated Holy Spirit 69-42 for its third straight win. Photo By Michael Alexander

The Holy Spirit gymnasium was a sea of green as frantic fans from both schools cheered on their respective teams. Nearly two minutes passed before the first point was scored from the free throw line by Pinecrest team captain Joe Neiner. From that point Pinecrest stretched its lead to 12-0 before James Hanna got Holy Spirit on the board with a 3-point shot from the left side of the arc. At the end of the first period only nine points separated the two teams, but Pinecrest took a 31-15 lead into the locker room at halftime. Neiner led all scorers in the game with 19 points. His teammates John DePalma and Zach Carlisle finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Holy Spirit’s Hanna and Michael Agrippina poured in 13 points apiece, and Curtis Johnson scored 10 points.

In the girls game that preceded the boys, Pinecrest also prevailed 48-33. Their top scorers included forward Kayla Bergen (18 points) and guards Margaret Cassandra (16 points) and Danielle Anderson (eight points). Holy Spirit was led by Gabriella Hall with eight points.

The Holy Spirit boys (5-6) and girls (2-8) go on the road to take on Mount Vernon Presbyterian School Friday, Jan. 16. Pinecrest Academy boys (6-6) and girls (8-5) travel to Conyers to face Young Americans Christian School Friday, Jan. 16.