Alleluia and Augusta Christian meet Tuesday in game of contrasting styles

Alleluia has suddenly become one of our area's best teams

This is a public service announcement... or at least a bit of information relevant to people like me who watch and enjoy our area's high school basketball action.  Alleluia is very good.  If you haven't seen the Angels play, I recommend you treat yourself.  Tuesday's date with Augusta Christian is a great opportunity.

If you have seen coach Dennis McBride's team in action, but your last look was before this season, then you will think you are seeing a brand new team.  Even if you last saw the guys as recently as December, you will notice a transformation.  The rate at which the players improve is truly remarkable.  That Alleluia would visit Ludowici, Georgia, and beat one of the southeast's best independent schools, Faith Baptist, would have seemed impossible a short time ago.  Yet that is exactly what the Angels did Saturday, tallying 90 points in a 9 point victory over the Crusaders.

There is nothing physically intimidating about this group.  But they are mastering the game's fundamentals faster than any group of players I've seen in years.  Tuesday's game at defending South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) state champ Augusta Christian will not be the last time hoops fans have a chance to see the Angels in action.  For the majority of the players have eligibility remaining after this season.  But it is a game that has been circled on my calendar since October.  Augusta Christian will refocus its attention after dropping a heart breaking region game Saturday.  And Alleluia will need to find a way to defend the Lions inside, where 6'9" Calvin Taylor and 6'6" freshman Isaiah Kelly hold a distinct advantage that should provide a fascinating contrast to Alleluia's fast paced, sharp shooting attack (see video below).  I'll be there to watch and report here soon afterwards.  As always, I'll see you in the gym!