KENNESAW — The Lakeview Academy Lady Lions’ season came to a close Thursday with a 56-47 loss to Southwest Atlanta Christian in the quarterfinals of the Class A private state tournament at Kennesaw State University.

“Very frustrated,” Lakeview coach John Carrick said. “You want to kick something, you want to cuss, you want to pound something, but I learned a long time ago that doesn’t do any good. Quite honestly, I’m very proud of the kids.”

For every punch Lakeview threw in the second half, Southwest Atlanta Christian had an answer.

Hanna Grogan, despite being one of many in foul trouble for the Lady Lions, scored six of Lakeview’s 10 in the third quarter. That was topped by eight points from the Lady Warriors’ 6-foot-5 forward Dominique Banks.

Then, Grogan scored 12 of 16 points in the fourth in attempt to get her team back within striking distance at the end. That effort included a pair of 3-pointers.

Grogan’s effort was countered by five of the Lady Warriors’ six rostered players scoring.

The junior finished the game with 31 points. She hit a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter.

The Lady Lions led 17-9 after the first period, but were held to just four points, all scored by Grogan, in the second. That second quarter saw Tiamya Butler post 11 of her team-high 17 points and Southwest Atlanta Christian score 18 and take the lead, 27-21, into halftime.

Banks followed Butler with 16 and Chyna Cotton closed with 15 for the Lady Warriors.

The Lady Lions (23-7) were just 9 of 20 from the foul line in the contest. The Lady Warriors (17-11) were 14 of 31.

“I thought it was one of the worst games we played,” Carrick said. “Nobody guards you at the foul line. We were too excited at the start of the game and had too many reach fouls.”

The Lady Warriors were in double bonus before the end of the first quarter as Lakeview had already amassed 10 fouls for the half. That led to Southwest Atlanta Christian shooting 20 free throws by halftime with the Lady Lions only going to the line eight times.

“None of our people could put the ball in the hole,” Carrick said.

Points were what ultimately sank the Lady Lions, but second chances for the Lady Warriors helped.
Carrick said the girls were just getting in front of their opponent rather than putting a body on them and creating separation.

With this loss now behind them, Carrick said Lakeview has a positive outlook for next season.

“We’re going to be in good shape for next year,” the coach said. “We’re going to have a pretty good team. I think with the leaders we have on this team, they’re going to remember this for a while.”

Carrick said, while he’s ultimately proud of his team for making it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, he’s proud of how they were together.

“You get a group of females together and you don’t have problems? I didn’t. We didn’t have that,” Carrick said.

“That makes my job fun and me want to do it again another year. These kids got together and didn’t have all the drama. I think it’s because they have strong leadership that didn’t allow it.”

With a final reflection on a successful season and the game that brought the season to a close, Carrick said simply, “I’m very proud of them. Some of them upped their game. I’m not really sure why we disappeared tonight.”

State quarterfinals
Class AAAAA
at Columbus State University

Brunswick girls 52, Flowery Branch 47

Class AAAA
at Fort Valley State University

Buford girls vs. Arabia Mountain, 6:30 p.m. Friday

Class AAA
at Augusta University

West Hall girls vs. Maynard Jackson, 6:30 p.m. Friday

Class A private school
at Kennesaw State University

Southwest Atlanta Christian girls 56, Lakeview Academy 47

Lakeview Academy boys vs. Whitefield Academy,  4:45 p.m. Friday