Sierra’s CJ Jennings puts on show in win over TCA
Sierra’s CJ Jennings put on a show that even The Classical Academy fans could enjoy.
Jennings scored 25 in less than three quarters on Thursday night, leading the Stallions past the host Titans 63-35 for their 36th straight win in the 4A Colorado Springs Metro League.
After the game, TCA soccer star Titus Grant gifted the rival player with a burgundy “Titans” shirt signed by the entire student section.
“I like playing here,” Jennings said. “It’s a good environment.”
Jennings made 11 of his 15 shots and nailed three 3s – most of which came a few feet back of the line.
In the closing seconds of the half, he broke Erik Cilek’s ankles with a lethal crossover and drained a long jumper.
“Well … he can’t miss,” Cilek said. “We saw that today and he’s been doing it all season. And he’s going to be doing it all through the playoffs, too.”
DayShawn Tuck added 13 for the Stallions, who rested their starters in the fourth quarter.
Sierra (11-3, 7-0), which hasn’t lost in league since a 46-43 loss to Harrison on Valentine’s Day in 2014, will put that streak on the line against surging Mesa Ridge (10-3, 6-0) Tuesday.
“Mesa Ridge has a lot of talent, they’re a really good team,” Sierra coach Terry Dunn said. “Some people say they’re the best team in the league, so we’re going to have our hands full.”
Adam Selvage led TCA with nine points, while Cilek had eight.
The Titans (6-6, 3-3) made a point of trying to keep the ball out of Jennings’ hands early with a barrage of double and triple teams.
But, like TCA coach Kevin Wenger found out, “once he gets the ball in his hands he goes to work with it.”
With the attention elsewhere, Tuck had seven quick points as the Stallions built a 16-3 lead after the first.
Jennings took over from there, scoring his team’s last seven points of the half to make it 36-15. He added nine more before his night ended with 41 seconds left in the third.
“The rim just seemed bigger tonight,” Jennings said.
Oh but there was one thing he didn’t do on this night: dunk.
The senior said he wanted to one-up area rivals Hunter Maldonado and D’shawn Schwartz with a slam, but on this night he didn’t get the chance.
“They both have posted their windmills,” Jennings said with a grin. “I was just trying to get out there on the fast breaks to put one of mine up there.”
He’ll get his chance soon enough.





