Porter’s Chapel Academy tipped off the 2018-19 basketball season with a thrilling victory.

Tristan Pickering hit two free throws with 15 seconds remaining Tuesday night to give the Eagles a 35-34 win over Discovery Christian in their season opener.

Luke Yocum hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points for PCA. Leon Simms added eight points. Markevius Harris grabbed seven rebounds and Cole Pittman had six.

PCA shot just 29.3 percent (12-for-41) from the field and trailed for most of the game, although never by more than seven points. It finally got hot late and took its first lead of the game on one of Yocum’s 3-pointers with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The teams traded the lead until Pickering was fouled and hit both free throws with 15 seconds to go to put the Eagles ahead for good at 35-34. Discovery Christian had a chance to win it, but missed its final shot and PCA grabbed the rebound as time ran out.

PCA will return to action Thursday when it heads across the river to play Tallulah Academy.

(G) Porter’s Chapel 42,

Discovery Christian 23

Madison Wilkerson had six points and eight rebounds, and Hannah Embry scored eight points as Porter’s Chapel’s girls’ team rolled past Discovery Christian.

PCA held Discovery Christian scoreless in the second quarter, and led 22-2 at halftime. Nine different players scored, led by Wilkerson and Embry. Fayth McDaniel and Carlye Smith scored six points apiece.

Bri Benton scored all six of her points in the fourth quarter to lead Discovery Christian.

“We created a lot of turnovers in the second quarter by playing great defense. We outscored them 14-0. That was our biggest run,” said Cookie Johnson, who won in her debut as PCA’s coach. “Everyone came in ready to play.”