Congratulations to the RTCA Lady Crusaders Basketball team on winning the GIAA Class A State Championship over the Fullington Academy Trojans 43-42 Friday afternoon at Columbus State University!
"Im so proud of our girls!! RTCA Lady Crusaders are you GIAA-A State Champions. We have worked hard all year to get to this point. It was an incredible game. The two best teams facing off in the State championship game. What else could you ask for? Me an my assistant coaches went into the game feeling like we had a much deeper bench, we’re in good shape, and wanted to play a fast game with tough defense. You could tell both teams were feeling the pressure of a championship game. Both teams picked up early fouls and made silly turnovers."Coach Jake Wilkinson.
By halftime RTCA all started to shake off the nerves and play solid basketball. With some big shots by Bree Wimberly and Ansley Akins, and solid defense by Kylie Acosta the Lady Crusaders found themselves up 2 at the half. They continued playing their game by applying a lot pressure on defense, and depth off the bench helped RTCA to start to pull away. Emmie Davis, Rachel Threlkeld, and Meredith Durden made some big shots and by the end of the 3rd RTCA were up 9. The Lady Crusaders knew it wasn’t over and Fullington wasn’t going to give up. Their shooters hit three 3s in a row plus a layup with 4 mins left in the 4th period to put them up by 1.
The game went back and forth until Fullington got up four points with 2:00 left in the game. But, with some big free throws from Leighton Williams and a big 3 point shot from Bree Wimberly our girls were up by one point with less than a min left. At this point both teams were in the bonus, and every little foul mattered. Fullington tied the game up, and missed the go a head point at the free throw line. They picked up a foul off the rebound which sent senior Ansley Akins to the free throw line. Ansley missed her first free throw, but made the second putting us up by one with less than 20 seconds left in the game. The rest was history. They got off 2 shots, but the RTCA defense held strong. The game ended with the Lady Crusaders on top
."I’m so proud of this group of young ladies they set their goals high and worked hard all season to achieve them. I’m so thankful for our four seniors who have lead this team all year long!! Rachel Threlkeld, Emmie Davis, Ansley Akins and Bree Wimberly thank you for your best!! Thank you RTCA families, past players, and fans for your support." Wilkinson said. Bree Wimberly 15Ansley Akins 11Meredith Durden 8
(Pictures Courtesy of RTCA)
