Crossroads Christian prepares for Lawrence Academy
Dec. 20—A week before Christmas, Crossroads Christian High School was closed for the holidays, but head coach Scottie Richardson was at work, running practice with his team.
Freshmen Ely Phillips and Wesley Anderson were being taught a tangible lesson in responsibility: Having not properly communicated the transportation of the jersey bags, the team cheered them on as the two freshmen ran from baseline to baseline.
Despite the extra running, the boys are riding high after winning nine of their first 10 games but sit second in their conference after New Garden Friends (7-4). With six conference games left in the season, the Colts are looking to claim that crown as their own.
For Crossroads, it all starts on the defensive end. Ely Phillips was the loudest person in the gym during Monday's rehearsal, locking into his defensive stance, and yelling the whole practice.
"That's what he brings, that energy," said Richardson
The biggest thing Crossroads worked on improving was physicality, rebounding, and loose balls.
"Every practice is different, I wanted this one to be physical," said head coach Scottie Richardson. "Those guys [on Lawrence] play football. They have an advantage in terms of toughness."
An echo of "and-one" cries rang out as assistant coach Connor Bryant provided dummy defense with a shield down low underneath the rim.
After every drill, the Colts huddle up as a team before they move on.
"If you have beef during the drill, you talk about it during that huddle," said Richardson. "I don't care if they spend ten minutes in there."
"The little things win games," Richardson said.
As one of the leaders on the team, point guard Will Alston directed his team's defense on how to rotate during a double team.
Senior leadership has been a huge part of the team's early success this season. Versatile bigman, Ben Gladieux, has been the main workhorse for the Colts, leading them in points, rebounds, and blocks. Gladieux was throwing down tomahawk jams during a full-court passing drill.
Another first varsity dunk, this time came during practice from junior point guard Chris Bell. Bell has one missed dunk attempt on the year and plans on "punching it in" the next breakaway opportunity he gets.
Crossroads worked on defense and moving the ball against a zone, but they will wait to see if it pays off in Tuesday night's matchup against Lawrence Academy.
