(OWENSBORO, Ky.) – The Lady Lions cut down the nets! New Covenant Christian Academy’s varsity girls won the Kentucky Christian Athletic Association state tournament on Feb. 28 at the Owensboro Sportscenter. The Lady Lions finished the season at 20-3 in their third year in the conference.
Freshman Cecily Ray of Hardin was named the tournament’s MVP and to the KCAA All-State Team. Senior Jacey Crowell of Symsonia and junior Jaye Williams of Murray were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
In the championship game against Northside Baptist Christian School from Mayfield, the Lady Lions trailed by 14 points entering the fourth quarter before completing a furious comeback to win 45-37. Ray finished the game with 27 points and went 14-of-18 from the line.
As the fifth-seed in the eight-team tournament, NCCA opened play on Feb. 27 against the fourth-seed Community Christian Academy from Independence with a 61-43 win. Ray led the Lady Lions with 23 points.
In the semifinals, the Lady Lions gave Veritas Christian Academy from Lexington its first loss of the season, winning 56-41. Once again, Ray led the team with 29 points.
For the season, Ray averaged 15.8 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 steals. Williams, who plays point guard, led the defensive-minded Lady Lions with 4.7 steals and 3.9 assists. Eighth-grader Aggey Kelly averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game throughout the season.
The Lady Lions were coached by Greg Taylor of Murray, Jeni Harrison of Benton, and Carissa Jackson of Farmington. The roster also included sophomores Whitley Harrison of Benton and Charlee Jackson of Farmington; eighth-grader Cora Vaughn of Almo; and seventh-graders Zorabelle Clark of Benton, Rebekah Blalock of Murray, and Dani Jackson of
Farmington.
The same group of girls, minus Crowell and Williams, won the KCAA JV State Tournament earlier in the month. Harrison and Jackson coached the girls to that championship. NCCA has about 195 students and offers preschool through high school.
Basketball is one of several extracurricular activities, which also include archery, cheerleading, cross country, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, golf, track, and volleyball. Students are exposed to a Christ-centered, biblically based education. New Covenant is located at 218 College St. in Hardin.
More information about the school is available at www.nccaky.org.
