SGA falls in first round of state playoffs
by Paul Bridges, SGA sportswriter

SGA Warriors prepare for game

The SGA basketball season ended with both teams falling in the first round of the state playoffs. The Lady Warriors, a #4 seed, played a great game giving the #1 seeded Christian Heritage Lions all they wanted before falling 44-40 Wednesday at Andrew College. The Warriors fell to a very good Pinecrest Academy team Thursday at Andrew College, 65-46.

The Lady Warriors struggled to get going early in the game and fell behind Christian Heritage 15-6 after one quarter. The Lady Warriors fought back in the second quarter. They held Christian Heritage's offense to 7 points and got things rolling offensively. Kristi Williams put up 6 points for the Lady Warriors in the quarter, and Kyndal Andrews hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the quarter to put SGA in the lead 23-22 at the half.

The Lady Warriors outscored Christian Heritage, 10-5, in the third quarter to extend their lead to 33-27.

In the fourth quarter with Kristi Williams and Lindsay Buckhalter sitting on the bench with 4 fouls, Christian Heritage mounted their comeback and retook the lead. The Lady Warriors had chances to tie or take the lead in the final minute of play but could not get the shots to fall. Christian Heritage made 13 of 18 free throws in the final quarter to seal the win.

Kristi Williams led the Lady Warriors in scoring with 14 points. Kyndal Andrews added 11, Lindsay Buckhalter 6, Ashley Tedder 5, Ansley Stewart and Jodi Harris, 2 points each.

The Lady Warriors finished in fourth place in the region and with an overall record of 10-17 for the season.

In the boys' game Thursday, SGA turned the ball over and could not get their shots to fall early against Pinecrest. SGA trailed 17-9 after one quarter and 35-18 at the half. The Warriors played Pinecrest even in the second half with both teams, scoring 28 points, but SGA was never able to make a serious run at Pinecrest to get back into the game.

Jason Dean led the Warriors in scoring with 13 points. Michael Fincher added 12, Blake Shepard 9, Beau Clenney 8, Andrew Stone and Miles Lee 2 points each.

The Warriors finished in third place in the region and with an overall record of 9-18.