Crusaders Into GIAA Final 4

The Crusader basketball teams of Robert Toombs Christian Academy took part in the second round of the GIAA State A Basketball Tournament last week, with both the girls and boys winning their first round games. Both RTCA teams had a bye in the first round after winning their Region Championships. With the wins in the second round, that moves them both into the Final 4, which will be played this week.

Girls vs. St. George's

It was all Bree Wimberly for RTCA as she single handedly kept the Lady Crusaders in the game. The game was tied 5-5 with two minutes left in the first quarter, and Wimberly added a pair of free throws as RTCA led 7-5 at the end of the first quarter.

St. George's took a 9-7 lead early in the second quarter, but RTCA was back on top after a basket by Wimberly with just over two minutes left in the first half, 10-9. At halftime the score was 12-12.

Early in the second half St. George's took a 13-12 lead, but a three by Wimberly gave RTCA a 15-13 lead. Emmie Davis got a shot to go for an 18-15 lead later in the third quarter. Wimberly added a three for a 23-17 with two minutes left in the third. At the end of the third period the score was 27-17 with RTCA in front.

With 4:42 left St. George's had closed it to 27-23. Meredith Durden made it 2923 with 3:45 left. Wimberly added a three for a 32-25 lead, and it was 32-27 with 1:40 left to play. With just under a minute to go St. George's hit a three to close the lead to 34-31. Ansley Akins added a free continued from page

throw to push the lead to 4 points with just 10 seconds to go. Wimberly closed it out with two more free throws to get the win, 3631.

Wimberly led the way with 26 points. Each team had three girls foul out of the game and there were a total of 47 fouls called.

Boys vs. Grace

The RTCA boys faced off with Grace Christian out of Bainbridge, and it was a close game throughout. The game came down to the final minutes. RTCA was leading the game 5147 with just one minute to go, but a three-pointer by Grace made it a 1-point game at 51-50 with just 20 seconds to play.

Drew Vaughn got a pair of free throws to fall to make it 53-50, and RTCA's defense kept Grace from scoring in the final seconds to preserve the win, 53-50.

Jashaun Powell led RTCA with 20 points and Vaughn scored 19 in the win.

This Wednesday the Lady Crusaders will face off with LaGrange Academy at the University of West Georgia at 4:30 p.m. The boys will take on Monsignor Donovan on Thursday at West Georgia at 3:00 p.m.