Visiting Pelion had initial success Monday in its boys' basketball matchup against undefeated Northside Christian in a non-association matchup. 
The Panthers' inside-outside combination of Tucker Moore and Deshontez Gray built an early 11-point lead.
The Crusaders answered with blistering shooting by guard Jeb Reiser. He scored 16 of his game-high 23 points in the 1st half to rally Northside Christian in a 44-41 victory. 
Down 14-3 in the 1st quarter, the Crusaders (3-0) used a 16-2 run sparked by 4, 3-pointers by Reiser to take a 19-16 lead. 
Pelion managed to tie the game at 21-21 at the half. The 3rd quarter saw Northside Christian open a 28-24 lead as Ronnie Combs scored 5 of his 9 points. 
Gray answered with 6 straight points in the paint to put the Panthers up 30-28 going into the 4th quarter. He finished with 16 points, 1 shy of the team-high for Pelion behind Moore.
The Crusaders erupted for 11 unanswered points to open the final stanza. Reiser scored 7 points in the 4th quarter and Charlie Compton had 2 critical layups as Pelion fought back.
Moore had 3, 3-pointers to bring the Panthers to within 43-41 with less than 2 minutes left.
Reiser converted 1-2 free throws for Northside Christian, who managed to prevent a game-tying basket and forced a turnover with 8 seconds left. The Crusaders were able to run out the clock after 2 inbound passes.

"Great win for our program tonight and glad to be off to a 3-0 start," Northside Christian head coach Jason Harmon said. "This team has a lot of guys that have put in work in the offseason. Jeb Reiser has led us in scoring and is shooting the ball tremendously from behind the 3 point arc (averaging 25 points per game through 3 games). Our goals this year are to win our region, win 20 games and advance in the playoffs." 
Northside Christian returns home Tuesday to face Ben Lippen School at 7:30 pm.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Northside Christian 52
Pelion 20
A 31-3 2nd half in which 4 Lady Crusader players individually outscored the Lady Panthers led to victory on their homecourt. 
Madison Stutts scored 10 of her game-high 17 points in the 2nd half and Shandrea Pringle had 14 to lead Northside Christian Academy. Elizabeth Everett and Natalie Walke each added 8 points in the win.
Calamity Villenge had 5 points to lead Pelion, which travels to play Gilbert Friday. 

Newberry Academy 47

Gray Collegiate 37

Daja Taylor scored 27 points and Kailey Cheeks had 12 rebounds to lead the Lady Eagles Monday night. 

Emme Buzhardt had 12 points for Gray Collegiate,  who face Providence Athletic Club on Thursday.