The Adams County Christian School boys basketball team has speed, but coach Richy Spears wanted nothing close to a fast-paced game Friday night.

The Rebels’ ears were filled with Spears yelling “be patient” on a majority of possessions, taking their time to shoot to a victory over Copiah Academy, 47-32.

“The more I scream that, the more I think they get it,” Spears said. “We need to control, because there are times we can just go. When we are patient, things are just better.”

While ACCS (5-4) was able to pull ahead with the use of its quick feet in the first quarter, it trailed at the end of the period by one point, 9-8.

The Rebels quickly turned around for a seven-point lead midway through the second quarter, 17-10, with the help from Josh Day’s 12 points in the frame, including a long 3-pointer from the right side.

A pair of 3-pointers from Copiah Academy kept the game within reach at the break, 24-19.

“It’s hard for them to pull back. We have to understand when to,” Spears said. “If we get going too fast, we will turn everything over. If you turn it over, you don’t get a chance to score.”

Expanding its lead to as many as 10 points after halftime, Spears urged his team to think about every possession. The purpose, he said, was to expand on the Rebels’ teamwork.

Day led the win for ACCS with 19 points on the night, while Julian Wilson added seven and Wes Stockstill and Darius Demby each had six.

“Even in the locker room they said we feel like we are becoming more team-oriented,” Spears said. “That’s what it is going to take. It’s not just five of us, it’s got to be all 16 of them doing their part. That’s the goal.”

While ACCS never lost its early lead, Spears noted the Rebels are looking up. Friday was the second night in a row they had defeated an MAIS Class AAAA school, following Thursday’s buzzer-beater victory over Oak Forest, 61-58.

“We have the chance to be a pretty good basketball team,” Spears said. “I hope they realize what they are capable of doing because I feel like we’ve handled it well.

“Offensively, we just have to get better and helping each other and seeing the floor.”

ACCS (girls) 44, Copiah Academy 33

The Lady Rebels (6-5) had just a four-point lead at halftime, but pulled away to outscore Copiah Academy for a 44-33 win Friday night.

ACCS’ Caitlyn Gamberi scored 13 points in the win, while Brianna Henson added 11.

Both teams will be back in action Tuesday when they host Brookhaven Academy.