CFCA hoops holds off West Orange in regular-season finale | Observer Preps

WINTER GARDEN Junior wing Jordan Preaster scored a game-high 20 points and the CFCA boys basketball team outscored the host West Orange Warriors 23-14 in the fourth quarter to earn a big 74-65 win in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The game was also the final game of the Cancer Awareness Classic that West Orange hosts annually.

For CFCA, which improved to 23-4 with the win, it was a promising conclusion to the regular season ahead of next week's Class 2A, District 5 Tournament, which the Eagles will host.

"It's an important game for us because it's a high-level opponent," head coach Jonathan McClintock said of the finale against the Warriors. "It gets us sharpened for games where — people are just going to come at us in the district (tournament). ... Having adversity today is huge."

The two teams battled back-and-forth throughout the contest, and CFCA was only able to create some distance in the game's waning minutes.

"Our decision making got a little better — we didn't settle for perimeter stuff," McClintock said. "When you don't take quick shots and things like that, then you don't get (West Orange) in transition as much — and they're great in transition."

Behind Preaster's big game, three other Eagles scored in double-digits. Dante Treacy registered 18 points, Bryce Street had 17 points and Lorenzo Burdon had 10 points.

West Orange (13-12) was led by 16 points from Judah Collins. JaMarcus Clark and Darrell Harding added 14 points and 12 points, respectively.

The Warriors are the top-seed for the Class 9A, District 3 Tournament next week.

CFCA has a junior-heavy squad this winter, but for players like Treacy —a senior — the realization is upon them that it's do-or-die from here on out. The veteran guard and Army West Point signee says he likes his chances, though.

"No one on this team is selfish," Treacy said. "The only thing we care about is getting the 'W.'"