By Matt Vines
GRAND CANE – The Central Christian Academy girls basketball players sprayed water everywhere “like they won a national championship” Friday at Union Christian Academy.
The game was just a late regular-season game in District 4-2A, and the result didn’t decide a district championship or anything of the like.
In fact, the Lady Pioneers didn’t even win – but the 39-34 loss did guarantee Central a spot in the playoffs.
Central (8-15) hasn’t been to the playoffs in more than a decade, and the Lady Pioneers needed to play UCA to within seven points to lock up a slot in the postseason thanks to a point differential in the MAIS standings.
Down 14 points with four minutes to go, it looked like Central’s playoff bid may have to wait for next year.
But Central surged in the final minutes, outscoring UCA 13-4 after the Lady Pioneers managed just 21 points through the three-and-a-half quarters.
“These girls showed true fight to get it to five points, and saying that I’m proud is an understatement,” said Central head coach Layne Huckabay. “It did feel like it was slipping away when we were down 14 points, but our defense stepped up and made stops when we needed them.”
Eighth grader Lola Doyla scored six of her team-high eight points in the final quarter, helping lead the late charge.
Three other players scored six points, including a pair of 3-pointers from lone senior Holland Alexander off the bench.
Juniors Nevaeh Farris and Amanda Seekford (eight rebounds) scored six each with eighth grader Lilee Averitt chipping in five points.
Central has an extremely young team, a squad that’s still learning to win.
The Lady Pioneers have won a combined 10 games in Huckabay’s first two seasons after going winless in the previous six seasons.
One of those wins came against UCA at home earlier this season.
“We’re a young team, but we’re slowly learning what it’s like to win, what it feels like,” Huckabay said. “The keys have been their attention to detail.
“Our slogan this year has been ‘We Believe,’ and this group of young ladies haven’t quit yet in any game. They will never give up, and that’s one thing we pride ourselves on.”
Central still has one week of the regular season remaining, but they know their season won’t end at the conclusion of the regular season.
Central will suit up for the Class 2A South Region tournament in the first week of February.
But before the Lady Pioneers concern themselves with the playoffs, they took a little time to celebrate Monday.
They got to pie Huckabay in the face at the pep rally.