3A State Finals Championship Game Recap (Adair vs Christian Heritage Academy)

It is often difficult to face the same team multiple times to defeat each time. The more times teams play one another, each gets more and more familiar with the teams style of play and the players skill set. This is not the first but the second match up between the Christian Heritage Academy Lady Crusaders and Adair Lady Warriors of the 2018-2019 season. The two teams played very early in the season with the first match up between the two had an outcome of a 10 point win by the Lady Crusaders. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">1st Half</span> In the beginning of the game, there was great defense from both teams. It was hard for either team to find their luck at the rim. Eventually Adair began to find some touch on their shots and <strong>Sophie Bagby </strong>knocked down two 3 pointers, to create a lead going into the 2nd quarter. Meanwhile, CHA struggled with having their two top offensive contributors, <strong>Rylee Langerman</strong> and <strong>Lexi Davis</strong>, commit two fouls in the 1st quarter. &nbsp; Although the Lady Crusaders struggled in the 1st quarter offensively, other players began to step up in the beginning the quarter with three 3 pointers from <strong>Myka Parrish</strong>, and eventually CHA found their groove again with inside finishes from <strong>Olivia Curtis</strong> with picked up play from <strong>Rylee </strong><strong>Langerman</strong> with assist, drives and outside play. The Lady Crusaders also picked up their defense against Adair to force turnovers or the rebound to head for the transition game. Adair struggled to find the same type of shots from the 1st quarter towards the end of the 1st half. The Lady Warriors had few opportunities as it seems the plan for Christain Hertiage was to force <strong>Autumn Hines</strong> to rid the ball out of her hands. Adair had few chances for wide open shots due to Christian Heritage always in position on the ball to force an off-balanced shot, which forced Adair to struggle to finish layups. Although <strong>Lexi Davis </strong>had a difficult time finding her shot, she continued to be a force on the defensive side of the game. CHA capitalized from turnovers and steals against Adair often forced by <strong>Lexi Davis</strong> while CHA continued to secure rebounds and use their transition game. The half end with the Lady Crusaders having a 21 to12 lead over the Lady Warriors. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2nd Half</span> Adair slowly began to chip away from the 9 point lead that CHA had over the Lady Warriors. Early in the third quarter, each team began to trade baskets but CHA continued to keep the lead. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, Adair began to connect shots that they missed in the 1st half. CHA began to turn the ball over and Adair had some transition opportunities and finished lay ups plus making free throws to allow for a 15 point run to end the 3rd. Pressure heated up on the Lady Crusaders when Rylee Langerman committed her 4th foul allowing Adair to go into the 4th quarter with a lead by 2 points. Adair continued to force turnovers and began making their outside shots by <strong>Sophie Bagby</strong> like in the 1st quarter. It was tough for CHA to find a basket with turnovers which allowed the ball to be back in <strong>Autumn Hines</strong> hands in order for her to create. In the last half of the 4th quarter, CHA switched to full court defensive pressure which threw some fits at the Lady Warriors making it difficult for Adair to find a good shot. Adair continued to push through the press to finish lay ups and make free throws down the stretch in order to keep their lead over CHA. It was difficult for Christian Heritage to make many buckets down the stretch and ultimately the Adair finished the game with the lead 47 to 35 to win the state title. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Christian Heritage Top Performers</span> #10 <strong>Olivia Curtis</strong>, Senior, 5'11, Forward, 10 rebounds, 9 points #11 <strong>Rylee Langerman</strong>, Junior, 5'9, Guard, 5 rebounds, 9 points, 3 assist #13 <strong>Lexie Davis</strong>, Junior, 5'7, Guard, 3 steals, 1 turnover #14 <strong>Myka Parrish</strong>, Junior, 5'6, Guard, 9 points #15 <strong>Grace Littlejim</strong>, Sophomore, Post, 6 rebounds &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Adair Top Performers</span> #10 <strong>Sophie Bagby</strong>, 4 rebounds, 9 points, 1 turnover #24 <strong>Atleigh Branham</strong>, 9 points #25 <strong>Autumn Hines</strong>, 6 rebounds, 5 steals 14 points &nbsp; &nbsp;