Grace Christian Crusaders are Back to Back State Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, we saw Grace Christian win the NCISAA 1A state championship.&nbsp; This year, they took on some new challenges in 2A.&nbsp; In the state championship game held on Saturday, the Crusaders took on the Chargers from Wayne Country Day.&nbsp; The Crusaders took the lead early on and never looked back finishing the game state champions with the win 86-63.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grace Christian roster is loaded with future college players.  Let's take a look at the standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":606578,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Icyss-Storm-layup-copy-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-606578" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412215"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":606581,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eIcyss Storm was the leading scorer of the game.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe is so effective in the paint moving with the ball to battle for some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe battled for rebounds using offensive boards for second chances.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe hustled up the court on offense being ready for the rebound and to put it right back up if needed.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe showed how she's expanded her game knocking it down from deep, and she had a nice midrange game, too.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe executes the pick and roll play well getting open for the shot.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fd671771e19"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":606590,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Sarah-Strong-shooting-copy.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-606590" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261084"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":606596,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSarah Strong scored the first points of the game to no one's surprise knocking it down from deep.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe slid around post players grabbing the steal, and she found her teammates up the court in an open space for a shot in transition.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe showed off her post moves in the paint starting with her back to the basket and ending with some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe had some three point plays the old fashioned way.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eThere are many intangible things that Strong does well getting the ball to the right person to run a play, directing her teammates where to go in the gaps, and seeing the floor to know how to move with the ball to get open herself.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fd671771ed9"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":606598,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Hallisi-Whitley-dribbling-copy-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1677550449.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-606598" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389292"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":606607,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eHalisi Whitley knocked it down from deep with ease taking advantage of her defender giving her too much space.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eIt seemed like a highlight reel on repeat as she proceeded to knock down five three pointers in the game.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eIf she wasn't knocking down her shot, she was finding her open teammates in the paint for some points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe has some nice handles with the ball finding ways to get her defenders off balance to blow by them.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fd671771f92"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":606608,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Reagan-Lindholm-layup-copy-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-606608" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":606610,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Reagan Lindholm","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grace Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eReagan Lindholm knocked down her shot from deep beginning the game making sure her opponents knew she was a shooter.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eWhen she wasn't shooting, she was finding her teammates open underneath the basket.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a nice job hustling on offense to get some fast break points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fd671772098"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":606613,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Danauje-Brooks-dribbling-copy-rotated-crop-2420x1589-1677550703.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-606613" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders also had some pesky defenders with [player_tooltip player_id='499722' first='Miyah' last='Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='408805' first='Danauje' last='Brooks'].  These guards were constantly getting their hands involved on defense stripping the ball from their opponents.  They also added 12 points for their team with Campbell hitting her shots from deep, and Brooks was driving hard to the hoop showing a nice finish at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayne Country day also had 3 double digit scorers in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211079"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":606615,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eThe Chargers are led by their fearless senior [player_tooltip player_id='211079' first='Ja'Kea' last='Brunson'].u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe did a nice job moving the ball finding her teammates open underneath the basket.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe can knock it down from deep herself finishing with five shots beyond the arc.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe drove hard to the basket finishing at the rim embracing contact.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was certainly showing her senior leadership focusing on the next play no matter what her opponents did finding ways to score from deep or attack the basket.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":606618,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jayla Hicks","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Wayne Country Day","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eJayla Hicks had a nice hustle back play blocking a shot in transition.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe knocked her shot down from deep right when her team needed some life, and she finished with four from deep.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe was consistently showing off her range, and she did a nice job pushing the ball up the court to help her team score some points.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["261089"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":606620,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKyrah Davis had a nice shot from deep as well.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe followed that up in the second half with a strong move on the block banking the shot in for two points.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e  u003c/spanu003eShe got inside to grab rebounds for her team, and she pushed it up the court finding her teammates on a fast break.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fd671772251"} /-->