By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The LaGrange Academy Warriors overcame a 10-point deficit early in the second half to get as close as two points, but it was the visiting Flint River Wildcats walking away with the 64-53 victory in a showdown between the two region rivals.

The Warriors (1-6) were looking to make it two straight wins after getting their first victory of the season last week, but they were unable to make it happen against a formidable Wildcats’ squad.

“I’m still trying to convince them that they’re still a good team,” LaGrange Academy head coach Ken Klinger said. “We’re just having a lot of mistakes that are killing us.”

The Warriors started out hot, with Christen Copeland scoring 13 points in the first quarter to help the home team build a 22-14 lead.

The second quarter was a tough one for the Warriors, though, as they were outscored 26-11 to fall behind 40-33 at the half.

That deficit grew to 10 moments into the third quarter when the Warriors rallied.

Trey Reeves scored off of an offensive rebound to get the Warriors within four, and Copeland drove past a host of Wildcat defenders for a layup to make it a 44-42 game with 2:20 left in the third quarter.

The Warriors didn’t score again in the quarter, and the Wildcats held a 47-42 lead heading into the final period.

The Warriors hung around for a while in the fourth quarter, getting as close four points early on, before the Wildcats began to pull away.

Copeland, who is in his first season at LaGrange Academy after transferring from Troup, led the Warriors with 26 points, with 19 of those points coming in the first half.

Copeland had 32 points in last week’s breakthrough victory over Cottage School.

“He started the season with a hip injury, and he’s starting to come out of it. It kept him from moving. He’s getting a lot better.”

Matthew Klinger added 10 points for the Warriors, and Riley Hess scored seven.

In Friday’s girls’ game, LaGrange Academy fell to Flint River 51-36.

Kelsey Cotton led LaGrange Academy with 14 points, with eight of those points coming in the third quarter.

Ivy Portis and Kayla McBride each scored 10 points for the Lady Warriors.

Flint River led 15-9 after one quarter, and it extended that lead to 27-17 at the half. LaGrange Academy trailed 37-24 heading to the final period.

OF NOTE: For more photos, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports