MAGNOLIA – West Side Christian coach Randall Miller tried to turn a disappointing loss into a teaching tool Saturday as the Lady Warriors fell to Columbia Christian 41-38 in the championship game of the AACS State Tournament.
West Side Christian finished its season with a 22-5 record.
West Side led 16-14 at the half and 27-26 going into the final period. Columbia Christian would then rally at the free throw line, converting 8-of-12 attempts in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Crusaders hit 12-of-18 at the line in the game while the Lady Warriors were 7-of-10 with four attempts in the second half. The free throws included a technical foul against a West Side player late in the game, which awarded Columbia Christian two free throws and possession of the basketball.
“The situation in the fourth quarter was extremely frustrating for us … just a parade to the line when we had only sent them to the line once in the first half,” said Miller. “There was a technical called on our player by an official probably 50 feet away from her that essentially iced the game. Those moments, as much as I hate them, are the moments that James 1:2-4 is talking about. We called time out to talk about just that – persevere (and) finish the right way. I'm blessed to have had this time with these girls. I won't forget it.”
Hannah Miller led the Lady Warriors with 12 points while Lauren Land scored 10 and Sofia Narciso nine.
Kelcy Lamkin, an eighth grader, led Columbia Christian with 17, including 10-of-13 at the line.
West Side trailed by five before Narciso was fouled on a drive and hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left. The Lady Crusaders threw the ball deep on the inbounds. The Lady Warriors got a hand on the pass but couldn't control it as the game ended.
"So proud of the hearts these girls compete with,” said Miller. “All throughout the year different girls stepped up and did so many of the little things that are the difference between winning and losing.”