SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Northpoint Christian School basketball tipped off its 2025-26 season Tuesday night with mixed results, as the boys fell to Tipton-Rosemark Academy 56-46 while the Lady Trojans secured a 46-30 victory.
Boys: Tipton-Rosemark 56, Northpoint Christian 46
The Rebels (2-0) built an early lead and never looked back, holding a 29-15 advantage at halftime and stretching it to 45-20 late in the third quarter. Northpoint (0-1) rallied in the final period, trimming the deficit to 10 before falling short.
Brennan Abernathy sparked the comeback with 14 points, all in the second half, including three three-pointers in the third quarter. Sophomore Aiden Becksfort also scored 14, with nine coming after halftime. Roman Taylor paced Tipton-Rosemark with 12 points as one of three Rebels in double figures.
Head coach Luke Chapman acknowledged his team’s inexperience but praised their resilience.
“We’re really green right now,” Chapman said. “We had 20 turnovers in the first half, and it’s hard to bounce back from that. But cutting the lead back to 10 shows their work ethic. We’ll get better.”
Girls: Northpoint Christian 46, Tipton-Rosemark 30
The Lady Trojans (1-0) opened with a 9-0 run and never trailed, leading 23-11 at halftime. Nailah Herrera scored 18 points, 10 in the second half, while Bella Gagliano added nine in the first half. Reagan Rateri led the Lady Rebels with 10 points.
Northpoint head coach Barry Gray praised his team’s defensive intensity and depth in the post.
“We’re really good on the defensive end,” Gray said. “We’re deeper in the post this year, and I love the spirit and energy of this team. Herrera’s leadership is going to be very important.”
The Lady Trojans cleared the bench in the final minutes, sealing a convincing season-opening win.
NOTABLES: Former Lewisburg Patriot Josiah Nelson hit a late three-pointer in Northwest’s victory over Coastal Alabama South…Calvin Harrison scored two goals and added two assists in Hernando’s boys soccer victory over Tupelo Christian Prep…Lewisburg’s 1-0 girls’ soccer victory over Pensacola, Florida Booker T. Washington marked the Lady Patriots’ eighth straight victory to start the season.
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Congratulations to Cade Koczka on signing to continue his baseball career at Northwest MS Community College! We are so proud of you! #Redeempic.twitter.com/Q7qonVoJmU
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
