The varsity basketball Owls wrapped up their regular season with a 56-49 win over Christian Brothers to claim the West 2-seed in the upcoming state playoffs and insure a home game in the first round.

The Owls (16-7, 2-2) quickly jumped on the Purple Wave after an opening basket from senior Ehi Ataga and a three-pointer from senior Kendon Leakes to give the hosts the early 5-point advantage.

Down 7-2 a bit later, CBHS would score 6 straight points to take its only lead at 8-7 with 3:31 left in the first quarter, but Ataga would score 4 straight points as the Owls regained control and led at the end of the first stanza, 16-8.

That lead grew to 14 points at 32-18 with 2:25 left in the half after an Ataga basket, but two late three-pointers from the visitors cut the gap to 32-24 at the break.

In the third quarter, CBHS (15-10, 0-4) narrowed the lead to 4 points, but that was as close as they could get as Ataga and senior Bo Echols took over down low. The gap would grow back to 14 points late in the fourth quarter before a late CBHS run made the score more respectable at 56-49.

Ataga finished with 20 points and 5 rebounds to pace the Owls. Senior Miller Griesbeck added 14 points on 5 for 7 shooting, including 2 of 3 from three-point range. Leakes added 10 points on a perfect 4 for 4 shooting, and Echols had 5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 assists.

With the win the Owls will next play Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. at home against Montgomery Bell Academy, the Middle 5-seed. The Owls hold an 18-10 lead in the series over the Big Red but are 0-5 in playoff action. 

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