The CCA men’s and women’s basketball teams did something this year they haven’t done in 30 years – both teams played for state championships. The two teams traveled to Columbus State to face Memorial Day (women) and First Preparatory Christian Academy (Men) on Friday afternoon.
The basketball fates weren’t kind to CCA – both squads came home as runners-up. The women fell 51-38 while the men lost 76-49, thanks in large part to a 54-point second half from FPCA.
The girls trailed 26-11 at halftime but managed to cut into the lead enough in the third quarter to give themselves a little hope. Memorial Day, however, slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter and cruised to the championship.
Though the outcome was the same, the men fared a little better – at least early on. Thomas Gentry hit a three-point shot at the second quarter buzzer to give CCA a 24-22 halftime lead. FPCA turned the tide in the third quarter and led 50-43 going into the fourth quarter. They only picked up momentum from there, scoring 26 fourth quarter points while holding CCA to just six.
This was the second year in a row that FPCA defeated CCA in the state finals.
The Lady Patriots finished the season with a 14-13 record while the men turned in a 19-11 mark.
