Boys Basketball: First Baptist hangs tough before falling to Cornerstone Christian

ELYRIA — First Baptist hosted its toughest opponent of the season Thursday when defending Division VII state finalist Cornerstone Christian came to town. The Sabres held their own for most of the first half, but eventually the Patriots used their size and speed to pull away for an 88-56 non-league win. First Baptist only led once in the game, when an Aaron Allbaugh basket with 45 seconds to play in the first quarter gave the Sabres a 18-17 lead. Darrien Davis answered with a a basket for Cornerstone Christian with eight seconds to play in the period to put the Patriots back in front 20-18. The 6-foot-5 Davis, who was a starter in Cornerstone Christian's 2025 Division VII state championship game loss to Russia, led all scorers with 30 points. First Baptist's senior trio of Allbaugh, Gavin Fisher and Stephen Meng accounted for 50 of the Sabres' 56 points, with Meng leading the way with 20 before he fouled out in the final minute. Fisher did most of his damage in the first half, scoring 12 of his 18 points, including a rare four-point play late in the opening quarter when he was fouled on a 3-point shot in the corner near the Patriots bench. After making the shot, Fisher stepped to the line for a free throw that made it 17-14 as First Baptist attempted to claw its way back from an early nine-point deficit. It was a five-point game as late as the 2:50 mark of the second quarter when a pair of Allbaugh free throws made the score 33-28. The Patriots then went on a 9-3 run to end the half and took a 42-31 lead into halftime thanks to a basket by Kolsen Keeper with 15 seconds left. Allbaugh finished with 12 points. Keeper, the other returning starter for Cornerstone Christian, finished with 12 points. In the second half the Patriots finally started to wear down First Baptist. Cornerstone went on an 8-1 run midway through the third to extends its lead to 20 at 62-42. The Sabres will have a few days to shake off the loss before they head to the Lake Effect Conference playoffs Monday against an opponent to be determined. After starting the year 3-6, Cornerstone has won six of its last seven. Meng, who scored all of his first-half points from the free throw line, did his best to keep First Baptist in the game in the second half. He had nine third-quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and scored six of the Sabres' eight fourth-quarter points. Junior Peter Hettinga and sophomore Nathan Lehr, who each scored three points, were the only other First Baptist players to score. Cornerstone Christian had three players 6-2 or taller in the starting lineup, which helped it garner a 37-21 rebounding advantage. The Patriots also forced First Baptist into 21 turnovers. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Cornerstone Christian 88, First Baptist 56 Cornerstone Christian (88): Darrien Davis 13-4-30, Jaxon Croyts 1-0-2, Lorenzo Curry 2-0-4, Karson O'Leary 4-2-14, Alijah Truner-West 1-0-2, Kolsen Keeper 6-0-13, R.J. McCain 10-1-21, Ben Kinney 1-0-2. Totals 38-7-88. First Baptist (56): Gavin Fisher 6-2-18, Peter Hettinga 1-0-3, Aaron Allbaugh 5-2-12, Nathan Lehr 1-0-3, Stephen Meng 5-8-20. Totals 18-12-56. Cornerstone Christian&emsp;20&emsp;22&emsp;22&emsp;24&emsp;—&emsp;88 First Baptist&emsp;18&emsp;13&emsp;17&emsp;8&emsp;—&emsp;56 Three-point goals: Cornerstone Christian (O'Leary 4, Keeper), First Baptist (Fisher 4, Meng 2, Lehr, Hettinga) Field goals: Cornerstone Christian 38-63 (60 percent), First Baptist 18-45 (40 percent). Free throws: Cornerstone Christian 7-8 (88 percent), First Baptist 12-15 (80 percent). Rebounds: Cornerstone Christian 37, First Baptist 21. Turnovers: Cornerstone Christian 18, First Baptist 7. Team fouls: Cornerstone Christian 13, First Baptist 21. Fouled out: Meng. Junior varsity: Cornerstone Christian, 18-13 (two quarters).