Double the State Champs

Mindy McCarthy March 2, 2022 @ 02:18 PM

Last month, two schools matched up at Asheville Christian Academy. Quality Education Academy went on to win the CAA4SC State Championship this past weekend while Asheville Christian Academy won the NCISAA 3A state championship. Let’s take a look at some of the athletes who helped lead their teams to victory. Asheville Christian Academy [player_tooltip player_id="202002" first="Evangelia" last="Paulk"] (G, 2023) is a terror on defense sliding in front of opponents blocking their way to the basket. She knows exactly how to anticipate passes on defense to grab the steal. She makes sure to get inside for the rebound. On the offensive side of the ball, she shows off her ability to knockdown shots from behind the arc, midrange, and close to the basket with no fear of contact. [player_tooltip player_id="221937" first="Emma" last="Larios"] (pictured above, G, 2023) can do it all on offense knocking down shot from anywhere on the court including a deep three pointer leading to overtime in the state championship game. She drives hard to the basket using her ball fakes and aggressiveness to score no matter who may be trying to stop her. She has a great way of making the defenders shift to get the best pass into her teammates underneath the basket whether she is inbounding the ball or handling it from the top of the key. Aliyah Corpening (G, 2023) is a tough opponent as she can make an impact anywhere. She has a nice three point shot, and she isn’t shy about getting underneath the basket to score some points. She crashes the boards grabbing rebounds with ease, and she is a fun defender to watch staying right on her opponent preventing them from getting anything going. [player_tooltip player_id="285953" first="Sara" last="Larios"] (G, 2025) has been ready to make an impact with her ball handling and her ability to see the floor well on defense. She knows how to push the ball up the court finding her teammates making the fast break cut to the basket. She can also step back and knockdown her own three point shot. Elizabeth Harrington (SF, 2023) takes care of the paint for her team flashing in and out to get the pass and score. She follows shots grabbing rebounds, and she uses offensive boards for second chance opportunities. Quality Education Academy [player_tooltip player_id="116901" first="Raven" last="Preston"] (G, 2022) continues to do it all for her team whether she is handling the ball, grabbing rebounds, blocking shots, or pulling up for jumpers, she shows off her high IQ on both ends of the court. She is constantly changing the speed of the game with her ball handling knowing when to slow the tempo or speed things up. She is a tough rebounder, too, grabbing offensive boards to put back up for some points. Danasja Horne (G, 2023) shows hustle on every play going after loose balls and moving without the ball to make an impact on offense. She can knockdown shots from deep, and she sneaks inside grabbing rebounds to extend possessions for her team. Her three point shots seem to be perfectly timed in games making sure her opponents don’t think they have a chance of cutting into the lead. [player_tooltip player_id="396915" first="Millayna" last="Redd"] (G, 2022) makes contributions on all levels. She knocks down three pointers when her team seems to need them most. She is a tough defender, too, keeping her opponents in front of her blocking their path to the basket. She grabs steals pushing the ball up the court with speed knowing exactly what move to make to get an open look at the basket. She can make the defense come to her opening up the court for her open teammate underneath the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="261175" first="Laniya" last="Scales"] (SF, 2024) seems to be involved all over the court. She can flash in and out of the paint looking for an entry pass, and she can handle the ball herself from the top of the key. She gets inside for rebounds for her team, and her length is an asset on defense with her shot blocking ability. Her vision of the court is beyond her years finding her open teammates as she turns to face the basket.