ACA boys basketball team is on track to break school record for charges taken

The Asheville Christian Academy boys basketball team is set to break a school record despite a small team and a difficult schedule. 

"It's been really good so far," said ACA coach Andy Ray. "We play a really tough schedule, so you get to see great basketball on both sides nearly every night we're on the floor."

Ray said the team has played well defensively and is on track to beat the school record for most charges taken in a season. 

"The main thing about taking charges is people don't realize it's team defense," Ray said. "That's the thing is they play really well together on both ends of the floor."

Fresh off a two-game win streak, ACA has a 6-6 overall record. ACA sits behind Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia in the NCISAA Carolinas Conference. 

ACA most recently competed in the John Wall Holiday Invitational tournament in Raleigh, winning the Coby White division on Dec. 28. The Lions beat Calloway High out of Jackson, Mississippi, 54-49 and Terry Sanford High from Fayetteville 62-55 to win the tournament division. 

Ray credited senior De'ante Green with leading the team. The 6-foot-10 small forward scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Calloway. 

According to Ray, Green plans to attend Florida State after graduation. 

In addition to Green, Ray said the Lions have at least four other players scoring double digit points on any given night. 

The ACA team is made up of 10 players. Due to injuries and illnesses, Ray said the team has dressed only eight players in the past few games. 

"All of them are capable of potentially starting," Ray said. "They're really fun to watch and fun to coach.

The Lions face Providence Day School in Charlotte on Jan 7.