The Grace Christian Academy Cougars downed Valdosta’s Highland Christian Academy Eagles 54-37 Friday at the Bainbridge State College Wellness Center to clinch the first region championship in program history.

“All season we have been talking about the importance of team unity and everyone doing their part,” Head Coach Mallory McRae said. “Everyone did their part and that is why we have been so successful.”

The Cougars were led in the game by Noah Thomas who poured in a game high 25 points and Jack McRae who had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game. Jack also had three assists, a block and two steals in the game. Anders Austinson and Sam McRae scored five apiece and Nate Walton and Dakota Vickers each had two for the Cougars. Walton also had 10 rebounds in the game. The Cougars had a great game overall on the boards as Thomas pulled down six rebounds, Sam pulled down three and Dakota Vickers, Anders Austinson and Ryan Holley all pulled down one each. Sam also had two assists and three steals and Thomas had two assists and two steals.

The Cougars will host Brandon Hall School, the fourth place team in region 1-AA, Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the GISA AA State Tournament at the Bainbridge State College Wellness Center.

Grace Christian Coach Mallory McRae has also been the GISA region AA coach of the year after leading the Cougars to a 17-6 regular season record, a 9-1 record in region 3-AA and a region championship.