Lady Crimsons advance to regional championship

Aliyah Lang

Lexi Weaver (#10, 11) set up a free throw attempt in the second quarter against CAL in the Seventh Regional Semifinal at Valley. Photo by Aliyah Lang

Aliyah Lang
March 3, 2022

Last night, the girls’ basketball team (22-6) defeated Christain Academy of Louisville (CAL) (22-6) in the Seventh Region Semifinal with a score of 63-39.

First Half:

To start the first quarter, the Lady Crimsons took an early 8-1 lead within the first two minutes causing CAL to call an early timeout. Manual continued to stretch their lead to 13-3 until CAL went on a 6-3 run to bring the game to 16-9 with 1:23 left in the first quarter. To end the first quarter, Manual led 16-11.

 

In the first couple minutes of the second quarter, the Lady Crimsons and CAL were scoring back and forth, though Manual remained in front, with a score of 27-19 with 2:23 left in the first half. CAL was scoreless for the rest of the first half, as Manual led 31-19 going into halftime.

Second half:

With 4:36 remaining in the third quarter, Manual went on a 6-0 run with drives from Ayanna Stroud (#21, 12) and Jakayla Thompson (#3, 11), in which CAL called a timeout. Following the timeout, CAL pulled out of their scoring drought but it was not enough as Manual held their lead. To end the third quarter, Manual led CAL 45-29.

The energy from the Lady Crimsons’ bench and the crowd helped fuel the team early in the fourth quarter. Manual went on a 12-4 run led by guard Jakayla Thompson, increasing their lead to 57-33 with 4:48 remaining in the game.

In the last 4:48 minutes left in the game, both teams scored six points, each signifying the Lady Crimsons’ win.

After last nights’ win, the Lady Crimsons, ranked ninth in the state, will face Sacred Heart, ranked first in the state in the Seventh Regional Final at Valley on Saturday with a game time of 5.