Lady Raiders topple Augusta Prep to reach final four
Published 4:08 pm Monday, February 18, 2019
- Southland Academy forward Holly McCain chasing down a loose ball during the region tournament against Tiftarea Academy. McCain scored 16 points to lead the Lady Raiders past Augusta Prep in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. ATR Archive
MACON, GA – The Southland Lady Raider basketball team toppled Augusta prep 48-37 in the quarterfinals of the GISA Class AAA State Tournament on Friday, February 15, at Stratford Academy in Macon.
As a result, the Lady Raiders will be playing in the state semifinals at a very familiar place: the GSW Storm Dome at Georgia Southwestern State University. It is safe to say that SA will have a distinct home-court advantage when they tip off against Holy Spirit Prep on Thursday, February 21.
SA shooting guard Calyn Fort with the ball in a previous regular season game. Fort scored 10 points in the win over Augusta Prep.
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Most teams who advance this far in the tournament have to fight through difficulties along the way. The same was true for the Lady Raiders.
“We had early foul trouble and had to fight through some adversity for a hard-fought win,” SA head coach Ty Kinslow said. “I’m proud of the girls for hanging tough and making it to the Final Four. We are excited to be coming home to play in the Storm Dome in front of our loyal fans who have been following us all year.”
SA had two players score in double-figures. Forward Holly McCain led the Lady Raiders with 16 points and shooting guard Calyn Fort scored 10. Six of Fort’s 10 points came off of two three-pointers. Maddie Crisp, Sydney Payne and Macy Williams each scored six points. Both Reese Roland and Laney Griffin each scored two points in the winning cause.
Southland point guard Sydney Payne with the ball in the region tournament against Tiftarea Academy. Payne scored six points in the win over Augusta Prep.
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The Lady Raiders got the job done at the free throw line as well. They made 8 of 10 foul shots for the game.
Should the Lady Raiders win their semifinal game, they will be playing for SA’s first state championship in girls’ basketball since the 1985-86 season.
SA will take on Holy Spirit Prep in the second of the two girls’ state semifinal games on Thursday, February 21, at the GSW Storm Dome. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
