Bishop Chatard freshman guard Grace Adams had only one basket Friday night, but it a game winner.
Adams’ layup with 10 seconds left lifted the Trojans to a 50-48 victory over Indian Creek in the Lady Braves Christmas Clash championship game.
“It was great execution by us breaking their press and getting the layup,” Trojans coach Katie Fisher said. “She’s just a freshman to see her get good positive outcomes in a varsity game is huge for her career. We’re excited for her and her team.”
The Braves had one more shot, but Katie Burkman missed a 3-point attempt just before the buzzer. Considering the circumstances, Indiana Creek coach Brian Ferris was pleased with the final shot.
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“I felt we were getting more than just good defensive pressure when we got the ball inbounded,” Ferris said. “I was anticipating them giving us something, but they didn’t. By the time we got the ball to where I could set up something (with a timeout), we got the ball to our main shooter. She got a good look, little deeper than normal. It was probably better than I could have drawn up with 2 seconds left.”
The game was tied when Indian Creek turned it over with 20.9 seconds left. Then each team turned the ball over after failing to inbound the ball. That set up Adams’ drive.
Indian Creek led 30-26 at halftime, but Chatard grabbed a 43-42 edge after three quarters.
Junior guard Hannah Grider paced the Braves (10-7) with 15 points. Seniors Burkman and Caitlyn Snyder each scored 11.
Sophomore guard Zakia Rasheed led the Trojans (9-5) with 19 points.
“They’re a good team and they came in with some good wins with a tough schedule,” Ferris said. “(Rasheed) is a load to handle. She creates a lot for herself and other teammates. That takes a lot of defensive focus for us. There were a couple of miscues here and there throughout the game, making a bad turnover at a bad time. We missed a shot here and there and a had a defensive breakdown at the wrong time.”
Ferris said there were positives to take from the game.
“To play that high level of game in our second game of the day, and a physical game, I think you can take a lot of positives out of it,” Ferris said. “We got a lot of ball movement and touches with everyone. The kids were reading each other well and working together better. We got some holes here and there, we have to continue to work on. It was a good game throughout. They’re a good team. We’re a good team. We were just on the wrong end of a two-point spread.”
Snyder scored 16 points and Ali Harris 10 points to pace a balanced attack in the Braves’ 65–38 rout of Franklin County in Friday’s opening game. All 10 players scored for the Braves, who led 25-15 at halftime. Indian Creek held a 21-8 edge in the third quarter to put the game away.
