Cornerstone Christian Academy (CCA) began its girls’ and boys’ 2026 varsity basketball season on October 20th. CCA is in its first year as a member of the Association of Christian Educators of Louisiana League (ACEL), a large organization made up of 16 schools in boys’ competition and 10 programs in girls’ play, divided into four districts, with CCA in the north district. This being their first year, they will play an ACEL league schedule but won’t be eligible for postseason play.

It has been a good start for both CCA programs, with the Eagles winning their first two games and the Lady Eagles splitting their first two. Both the girls and boys opened by beating fellow Jonesboro school Gracepoint Christian Academy, which is in its first year fielding a varsity basketball program, with the girls winning 45-8 and the boys winning 88-15. On October 22nd, CCA played Faith Training Christian Academy out of Leesville, with the boys winning 55-47 and the girls falling 36-22.

CCA 88, GCA 15 (boys): The Eagles blew out to a 35-4 first-quarter lead and never looked back. CCA shot an impressive 63.5% from the field, with Sophomore Ryston McNaughton leading the way with 26 points and 10 assists, which earned him Player of the Game honors. Sophomore Brendan Newton and Senior Dane Stevenson also had big games with 22 and 18 points, respectively, and sophomore Gavin Bellard chipped in 14 points. Sawyer McNaughton and Spencer Strickland added two points each.

CCA 55, FTCA 47 (boys): The Eagles went 11/14 from the line, which proved crucial in the close victory. Brendan Newton led CCA with 20 points, which included a career-high four 3-pointers. Ryston McNaughton had a second straight monster game, scoring 19 points and pulling down 18 rebounds, while Dane Stevenson also recorded a “double-double” with 11 points and 14 boards. Sawyer McNaughton scored five, and Gavin Bellard added 4 steals, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.

No individual stats were available for the girls’ games.