The Crusaders Academy based at The Canterbury High School have picked up back to back victories to start the season.

Last week they defeated Hayesbrook in the first round of the U19 Kent Cup with a comprehensive 80-37 victory.  The win was set up behind a roaring start as the Crusaders led 24-0 at the end of the first quarter.  Disraeli Lufadeju and Andy Chiguiri were the only Crusadedrs in double figures.

The Academy followed it up with a victory in their first group game in the British Colleges Elite South East Division, defeating Brighton and Hove 73-63.  The teams traded baskets early on before a mini 5-0 run from Dave Tait gave Crusaders a 17-11 lead after one quarter.

After Brighton came back to take a slim lead at 25-23, the Crusaders again stepped up a gear.  Chiguiri scored 5 points as part of a 10-0 run to close the half, giving them a 33-25 lead.  The run continued as the second half started with Crusaders scoring the first 10 points of the half.

The lead reached 21 points but Crusaders soon started to turn the ball over against Brighton’s press.  A 10-0 run got Brighton within 11 before a series of baskets from Lufadeju steadied the ship.  The teams entered the final quarter with Canterbury High leading 55-42.

The Crusaders again took control with as they stretched the lead to 18 points, leading 68-50 with 4 minutes remaining.  Once again Brighton were able to force the Crusaders int mistakes and began to chip away at the lead.  A 10-0 run cut the lead to 8 with 2 minutes remaining.  Tom Humphrey hit a 3 to start a 9-0 run (with Humphrey scoring 7 of the 9) to effectively end the game.

Lufadeju again led the scoring with 17 points, followed by 14 for Kalil Irving, 11 for Humprey and 10 each for Chiguiri and Tait.