By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian coach Tim Byrd saw his Eagles basketball squad fend off 5A Holy Cross on the Crusaders home court Wednesday, as RCS overcame a slow start in the opening quarter to take a 56-51, non-district win, their first of the New Year.

&#8220It’s nice to have that idea of a fresh start with a new year and district coming up,” Byrd said. &#8220This is where you want to be playing your best ball and tonight’s game was a good test of that. We had to fight all the way. Give Holy Cross credit for that. But we’re playing well and we’ve got a little more ways to go in the season.”

Cedric Jenkins led the Eagles offense Wednesday night with a 23 point effort against Holy Cross where Reserve Christian had to work for every basket in a game where the home team led for much of the game.

The Crusaders opened the first quarter with 17 points and a three-point lead as RCS adjusted to the court. The Eagles turned up

the defense in the second period and slowed down scoring to get into halftime with a 26-24 deficit.

The second half was hard-fought both ways as the two squads traded leads near the end of the third quarter, going into the final period tied at 39-39. But the Eagles managed to put themselves into the lead with a late push and held of the Crusaders for the 56-51 final.

Eddren McCain scored 16 in the victory while Justin Bernard scored eight.

The Eagles stand at 17-11 on the season.