The Grace Christian Academy Cougars entered the state tournament after winning the GISA Region 3-AA championship last week. They defeated the fourth-seeded Brandon Hall School Panthers 55-32 Wednesday at the Bainbridge State College Wellness Center in the first round of the State Class AA Tournament.

The Cougars took command early and held an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter after a jumper from the left baseline by Jack McRae put them up 18-10. They continued to pull away in a low scoring second quarter and were up 24-13 at halftime.

The Cougars extended their lead to 18 entering the final quarter after outscoring the Panthers 14-7 in the third.

Cougars’ Head Coach Mallory McRae said he was extremely pleased with the way his team played on both ends of the court.

“Every time Brandon Hall tried to start a scoring run, our defense was there to shut them down” McRae said “That kind of defense will win you a lot of games.”

Jack, Noah Thomas and Sam McRae who each scored in double figures to lead the Cougars’ offense. Jack led the way with 19 points. He added 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals on the night. Thomas and Sam each had 15 and Nate Walton had six points in the Cougars’ win over the Panthers.

Thomas added four rebounds and a steal. Sam had five rebounds, a blocked shot, a assist and five steals to lead the defense. In addition to his six points, Walton had three rebounds.

The Cougars will play Savannah’s Memorial Day School Marauders Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the second round state tournament. The game will be played at the Bainbridge State College Wellness Center.

The Marauders defeated Warrenton’s Briarwood Academy Buccaneers 50-44 in the first round of the state tournament on Wednesday.