By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Heritage Christian picked the worst time for its first loss of the basketball season to Grace Christian, 66-58, for the Florida Christian Conference championship Saturday at Clearwater Christian High.

The Eagles, 22-1, saw senior Josh Newman end his career with 31 points and 2,246 total, 14 shy of former teammate Maynard Rowe’s record.

Coach Jim Estrella said his Eagles simply ran into a hot-shooting Grace Christian lineup.

“We went with a 3-2 zone, which normally is good to shut down their outside shooters, but these guys couldn’t miss all day with a hand in their face,” Estrella said.

The Eagles made a run to cut a 17-point deficit to four in the final period, Estrella said, but Grace wouldn’t fold.

“It was a game of runs. I think between the two teams there were probably about eight spurts each way,” Estrella said. “I’m very proud of our guys. To have an undefeated regular season is an accomplishment at any level, and we are very proud of that. Grace played well. They just got hot and it was one of those things that happens.”

Heritage was the defending state champion. It was the third straight year that the Eagles played for the state championship.