Coach Mallory McRae’s Grace Christian Academy Cougars basketball team defeated the Highland Christian Academy Eagles 61-35 Tuesday in Valdosta to improve their overall record to 10-5 and their Georgia Independent Schools Association Region 3-AA record to 2-0.

Leading the way for the Cougars was Noah Thomas with a game high 26 points. He also pulled down 3 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and had a steal.

Brothers Jack and Sam McRae combined for 26 points. Jack scored 15 and Sam scored 11. Jack also blocked a shot.

Rounding out the Cougars scoring column were Nate Watson with 9, Anders Austinson with 8, Noah Thomas with 6, Dakota Vickers with 4 and Collin Woodrum with 2. Top rebounders were Jack McRae with 6, Nate Walton with 5 and Dakota Vickers with 4.

The Cougars assist chart showed Noah Thomas with 7, Jack McRae with 3, Sam McRae with 2, and Anders Austinson and Nate Walton with one apiece.

The Cougars steals chart showed Jack McRae, Sam McRae and Dakota Vickers all with 3 and Nate Walton with 1.

After the game, coach McRae said he liked the way his team came back.

“I was a little worried because we came out flat and got down early in the game,” he said. “Our defense turned it around for us in the second quarter. We went into a 1-3-1 zone defense and Sam McRae had several steals which led to points on the other end. It was great to see a balanced attack on offense. Nate Walton, Anders Austinson and Dakota Vickers had their best games of the year.”