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Congratulations to the Bainbridge Lady Cats and Grace Christian boys’ and girls’ basketball programs on qualifying for the 2024-2025 GHSA Class AAA Girls’ State Basketball Championship and the GHSA Class A Boys’ and Girls’ State Basketball Championship. 

The last time the Bainbridge Lady Cats, Grace Christian Cougars, and GCA Lady Cougars managed to make it to the state basketball tournament during the same season occurred just last year.

Coach Kelvin Cochran’s group has been on fire recently, winning five of their last six games, including two crucial wins over the Westover Patriots. 

A 37-28 victory in the 3A Region 1 tournament consolation game against Westover clinched the Lady Cats ticket to the first round of the state playoffs. Senior guard, No. 0 Ahleah Jones who was recently named to the Region1-3A Second Team All-Region led Bainbridge in scoring with 15 points. Senior point guard No. 14 Tay’Liyah Ausgood had six points followed by freshman point guard No. 2 Hailey Anderson scoring five points.

The 23rd-seeded Lady Cats journeyed to White County for a game scheduled this Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. to open up their state playoff run and lost 74-34, ending their season 

Similar to the Bainbridge Lady Cats, the Grace Christian Lady Cougars were put into the consolation bracket and had to embrace Jimmy Valvano’s 1993 ESPYs speech, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up,” when they hosted familiar foe, the Westwood Lady Wildcats. 

It was arguably the most impressive performance from Coach Kelsey Raley’s group all season defeating the Lady Wildcats 43-21. No. 33 senior Chloe Brogdon shined when she was needed most for the Lady Cougars, scoring 20 points on 50 percent shooting. Brogdon hauled in five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Sophomore guard Ava Martin scored nine points securing six rebounds and three steals. Kate Poitevint led the Lady Cougars in rebounds with 13 and three blocks. 

Chris William’s group clinched their ticket to the Class A State Tournament by defeating Crisp Academy 71-52 in the semifinals of the Region Three tournament at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. 

They would lose to Fullington Academy 57-56 in the Region Championship game, getting a six-seed in the state tournament and setting up their first-round matchup against Flint River Academy at Grace Christian, Wednesday starting at 4:30 p.m. 

Standout performances from the Crisp postseason win came from No. 2 Luke Boyett and No. 12 Owen Earnest, who scored 21 and 20 points respectively. Boyett contributed 10 rebounds, three steals, four assists, and two blocks, shooting 53 percent from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Earnest, shot 47 percent from the field and perfect from the free-throw line, added a team-high eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals.

No. 22 junior Jacob Elkins scored 13 points and hit three of his seven three-point attempts against Crisp Academy. No. 10 Keith Eidson tied for a team-high plus/minus rating of +24 alongside Earnest and No. 5 Cade Wells. Eidson’s stat line included nine points, nine rebounds, and five steals.

A key factor in the Cougars’ comfortable win was their ability to force turnovers and share the ball effectively. They created 14 turnovers while only surrendering seven, and as a team, they recorded 22 assists.

The Lady Cougars traveled to Thomas Jefferson High School to play Thomas Jefferson Academy in the 8-9 seeded matchup and lost 47-37. Thomas Jefferson will now get the Fullington Academy Lady Trojans at Stratford on February 21st at 1:30 p.m. 

A big, heartfelt shoutout goes out to all the amazing seniors who have made a significant impact throughout their time here: Ahleah Jones, Ta’Liyah Ausgood, Denisha Chappell, Kyra Green, Z’Riah Solomon, Chloe Brogdon, Sara Kate Crews, Sybil Lee, Reagon Delanoy, and Kate Poitevint. We are incredibly proud of your achievements, dedication, and the positive influence you’ve had on our community. Keep shining brightly and reaching for the stars.