During a 27-7 first quarter eruption, it was apparent to Valley Christian Academy boys junior varsity basketball coach Mike Parker that his team had a decided advantage in its Tuesday night encounter with Sacramento Adventist.

Beginning in the middle of that opening stanza, the coach began making full use of his 15-player full roster, providing loads of playing time up and down the VCA bench. The Lions coasted to a 68-47 final while giving a lot of minutes to everyone on the roster.

Josh Flanagan scored 13 points to lead a balanced scoring attack the featured three other Lions in double figures – Kris Kobzeff and Josh Bowden with 11 each and Clint Heckman with 10 off the VCA bench. Kobzeff also nabbed five steals, while Bowden pulled down eight rebounds. Wright Hagerty grabbed nine boards to lead Valley Christian in that department.

The Lions (1-0 in Sacramento Metro Athletic League play) are at Global Youth Charter Friday night.

“We have no idea what to expect from Global Youth,” Parker said. “This is the first year they have had a JV program.”