Redan’s Carmen Cooper (1) drives the baseline against GAC’s Molly Pritchard (00) during second half action of GAC’s 81-41 Region 5-3A girls’ semifinal win. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Poor shooting from the field proved too much for the Redan Lady Raiders in their 81-41 loss to the Greater Atlanta Christian Lady Spartans in the Region 5-3A girls’ semifinal on Wednesday night at Greater Atlanta Christian.
Redan hit just 19.4 percent (7-36) from the field in the first half and 21.9 (16-73) for the game while the Spartans hit 49.2 percent (31-63) from the field.
The biggest drought came during a span of 2:28 of the second quarter that resulted in a 10-0 run by GAC to extend a nine-point lead (21-12) to 19 (31-12). Myla Benton hit two consecutive jumpers to start the run followed by Jaci Bolden’s three-pointer. Laurren Randolph finished the run off hitting three of four from the free-throw line.
Redan (10-7) cut the lead to 17 twice, the last on an offensive put back by Jacqueline Johnson with 1:06 left in the first half.
A free throw by Kaleigh Addie and a layup by Bolden on a feed from Addie in the final 32 seconds made it a 36-16 advantage at the half.
Redan closed the gap to 19 twice in the third quarter but got no closer the rest of the way. The Spartans (10-7) upped the lead to 26 points at 53-27 heading into the fourth quarter.
A 19-2 run by the Spartans to open the final period as the Raiders went 1 for 15 from the field finished off the game.
Jayla Cook had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead Redan while Kennedy Daniels added 10 points and seven boards.
Kaleigh Addie led four Spartans in double figures with a 21-point, 9 rebound performance followed by Laurren Randolph with 18 points, 14 rebounds, Jaci Bolden with 18 points and Myla Benton with 12 points.
Redan travels back to GAC on Friday for the consolation game at 4:00 pm to play for third place against Sandy Creek, an 82-52 loser to No. 1 seeded Westminster.
The Columbia Lady Eagles (14-7) and Columbia Eagles (16-5) both face Lovett on Thursday at Pace Academy in Region 6-2A semifinals. The Lady Eagles face Lovett at 4:00 pm followed at 5:30 by the Eagles and Lovett (16-6).
DCSD BASKETBALL REGION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Region 5-3A
Girls Semifinals
Greater Atlanta Christian (10-7) 81, Redan (10-7) 41
Thursday, Feb. 18
Region 6-2A
Boys Semifinals at Pace
Lovett (16-6) vs. Columbia (16-5), 5:30 pm
Consolation/Finals at Pace on Friday (5:30, 8:30)
Girls Semifinals at Pace
Lovett (11-10) vs. Columbia (14-7), 4:00 pm
Friday, Feb. 19
Region 5-3A at GAC
Girls Consolation
Redan (10-7) vs. Sandy Creek (15-12), 4:00 pm