The Columbia Academy Lady Cougars pulled off a memorable comeback in the south state consolation game Saturday afternoon, with Maggie Wilks punctuating an 8-0 run over the final 1:45 with a mid-range game-winning shot with 5 seconds left in a 35-33 victory over host Lamar Christian.
Wilks had cut it to 33-30 with 1:45 to play initially with a corner 3-pointer before Kylan Reagan scored with 52 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Reagan then drew a foul after a second consecutive Lamar turnover, made the first the free throw to tie it 33-33 but missed the second. Reagan actually got the rebound off her own miss then missed a mid-range shot. CA’s Peyton McCain got the offensive rebound, but she too missed as Lamar got the ball back.
Following an intentional foul by CA — the Lady Cougars had a foul to give — Presley Dease tied Lamar’s ball handler up on the ensuing inbounds and gave CA possession on a jump ball call with 13 seconds, leading to Wilks’ game winner.
The final 8-0 sequence was actually part of a longer 15-3 run that began in the third quarter. With the Lady Cougars claiming the consolation game, they are the No. 3 seed out of the south in the Class 3A state tournament at Canton Academy, and played Central Holmes (north No. 2) Wednesday (results unavailable at press time).
Head coach Dale Watts said Monday that he really thinks the Lady Cougars could upset Central Holmes.
“I think they’re a lot like Lamar Christian. They have two really good girls and some role players. They’re not very big; we may be a little bigger than they are,” he said.
Watts added he likes the way the bracket turned out because the two teams that would give CA the biggest problems (Bowling Green and North Delta) are on the other side and wouldn’t face the Lady Cougars until the state championship.
The third team he considers to be a step above the rest of the field, Clinton Christian, likely would be CA’s second-round opponent Friday at 2:15 if it advances. Clinton Christian (south No. 1) played Winona Christian Wednesday, but results were unavailable at press time.
In Friday night’s action, the Lady Cougars lost to Bowling Green 40-20 in the south state semifinals. Olivia Adams and Presley Dease each had five points to lead CA.
Watts said he was really proud of Saturday’s comeback against Lamar Christian, which was led by a halftime adjustment.
“We quit guarding one girl and got on them other four like white on rice. We denied them the ball, made it extremely hard for them to move the ball and really took them out of their rhythm. They either turned it over or missed shots,” he said. “We were patient enough to just stay the course and get back in the game.”
He added that the Lady Cougars played really smart during the comeback and relied on their brains rather than their brawn.
The game-winning play was actually designed for Wilks to get an open 3-pointer from the corner, which is where she caught the ball, but immediately there was a hand in her face. The second option, which was Peyton McCain coming off a pick in the post, was also covered. So Wilks created some space on her own and made the shot.
Watts told his team after game that he’d rather have Jimmys and Joes than X’s and O’s. He had to explain to them that it meant that he’d rather have players who can make plays on their own, like Wilks did, than rely on play calls to get the job done.
Dease paced CA with 10 points, while Wilks and Reagan each had eight. Peyton McCain added four points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Pictured Above: CA's Presley Dease calls for a pick to be set Saturday against Lamar Christian. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
