By Steve Williams
Grace Christian Academy hung on for three quarters, but defending state champion Webb School pulled away in the final quarter for a 62-47 win in the Alcoa championship bracket of the Hammer’s Hardwood Classic last week.
The Lady Spartans went on a 9-point scoring streak that gave them a 15-point command (53-38) with 2:48 remaining. GCA could get no closer than 12 the rest of the way.
Avery Green ignited the run with one of her seven 3-pointers in the game. Zahnyah Rockett added a driving layup and power players Kendall Mays and Meeyah Green combined for 10 points in the knockout surge.
“We just did a good job of getting stops defensively and we were able to get out in transition and get some easy shots,” said Webb Coach Greg Hernandez. “My upperclassmen played like upperclassmen and gave us a chance to pull away and finish the game strong.”
Avery Green finished with a game-high 23 points and Mays added 16. Harper Ladd chipped in eight and Rockett seven.
Abby Roberts led Grace Christian with 17 points. Nya Burns and Bella Bradley tallied 12 apiece.
The Lady Rams hit five 3-point shots and were 4 for 6 at the free throw line.
Avery Green accounted for all seven of Webb’s treys. The Lady Spartans were 7 of 11 at the line.
The opening period had an up-and-down fast pace and there were several turnovers. After eight minutes, Webb led 11-6.
The two teams made only two turnovers each in the nip-and-tuck second quarter. Bradley scored in the lane with 15 seconds left in the half to pull Grace within two points (23-21).
Burns tied the score at 23-all with a 15-foot jump shot at the start of the third period. Grace Christian’s 6-foot-5 Naomi Tchanga blocked a shot and Roberts drove for a basket to give the Lady Rams their first lead at 25-23. Grace’s last lead was 27-25 when Roberts penetrated inside to score.
Following that basket, Tchanga pulled down a rebound on each end of the floor.
Later in the quarter, GCA’s man-to-man defense forced a 5-second violation by Webb and Burns hit a jumper in the circle to tie the score at 31-all. Grace Christian trailed by only 35-33 going into the final period.
“Grace is a really good team,” said Coach Hernandez after the game. “Obviously, they’ve got some tough guards, some young kids. They’re only going to get better as they get older and as the season goes on.
“I was just proud of our girls. We didn’t have it going for us consistently throughout the entire game. But then when we finally found a window and an opening, we took advantage of it.”
After a holiday break, Webb (10-2 overall) is scheduled to host Hebron GA on Jan. 6 and highly ranked Hamilton Heights on Jan. 9.
Grace Christian (12-3 overall and 4-0 in district) was scheduled to have played Cherokee Dec. 26 in the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic and then play Jan. 6 at The King’s Academy and Jan. 9 at CAK in district games.
