Grace Christian Academy’s varsity girls basketball team has advanced to the second round of the Georgia Independent Schools Association state touarnament.

On Wednesday, Grace’s Lady Cougars defeated Memorial Day School 50-25. The Lady Cougars, who boast a 23-7 overall season record, were to play Jefferson Academy Friday afternoon in Tifton, Ga.

Against Memorial Day, the Lady Cougars were led by Rachel Harrell, who had 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Also contributing were Emilee Murr with 10 points and five rebounds, Emma Heard with 12 points and two steals, Jocelyn Jacobs with seven points and eight rebounds.

In the region tournament, the Lady Cougars won a third place seeding in the state tournament by defeating Georgia Christian 38-26 on Feb. 10.

Against Georgia Christian, the Lady Cougars were led by Harrell with 16 points, six rebounds and five steals and Murr, who had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.

The Lady Cougars lost their regional semifinal game to Westwood Academy of Camilla 45-24 on Feb. 9.

In the first round of the region tournament, the Lady Cougars defeated Randolph Southern 68-42 on Feb. 7.

Harrell led the way with 25 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and five steals. Also pitching in were Jacobs with 11 points, four rebounds and five steals; Perra Harrell with 10 points, four assists and three steals. Murr, Heard and Christy Colvin had six points each, while Shellby Woodrum had four.

Other Lady Cougar team members who have contributed to the strong season include Caylin Walsingham, Kelsey Harrell, Rheagan Henderson, Hannah Wynn, Lindsey Duke and Jeri Sloan.