Legacy Academy’s Junior High Teams both to play for State Championship
FORT SMITH, ARK—There’s a first time for everything and Legacy Academy is preparing to experience a first time activity when both of their Junior High basketball teams prepare to play in the HCAA state playoff championship games this Saturday. The junior boys will face Prism Education Center from Fayetteville, while the girls will face Liberty Christian School in the battle to capture the school’s first state titles. School founder and boys’ coach, Chad Gallagher said, “It’s a real tribute to our players’ hard work to make an appearance in the state tournament in spite of being such a young program.” This is the school’s fifth year to have junior high boys basketball and its fourth for junior high girls. The school is also finishing its second year of senior girls’ basketball and its fourth year with a senior boys squad. Gallagher paid tribute to girls’ coach Zebbie Launius and the other coaches and volunteers who have also worked with the players. The school has built itself a tough schedule the last couple of years, not only playing schools its size and in its league but regularly playing public schools that are 3-10 times larger than the private school. Gallagher said the tougher and larger opponents have helped the players develop and succeed in conference play.
The junior boys defeated Fayetteville Christian in the semi finals 35-31 on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 in order to advance to the final game! The Warriors started strong against Fayetteville Christian and were leading 24-15 at halftime. The Lockesburg team had command of the court the entire first half and were maintaining a steady lead until the third quarter. Fayetteville switched up their full court press in the third quarter, creating a challenge for the Warriors and closing the gap up to tie the game going into the fourth quarter. In the third quarter Fayetteville’s rally caused them to outscore Legacy 11-4. The Warriors regroup in the 4th quarter and were able to secure the win. Everrette Martz score a big 19 points for the Warriors, including 4 3 pointers; while Monolo Vazquez gave the team 8 points. Brayson Talley grabbed 6 rebounds for the Warriors, while Eli Mitchell had 5. Davis Strawthum led scoring for Fayetteville Christian with 14 points, followed by Parker Hedmen with 13.
The Junior Girls advanced through the semi-finals by defeating Trinity Christian of Texarkana with a 30-12 victory. Legacy outscored Trinity in three of the four quarters, with Trinity only besting the Warriors in the second quarter. The Lady Warriors went into the locker room with an 11-8 point lead, but held the Texarkana team to four points the entire second half. Legacy’s girls scored another 19 points in the second half of the game to secure the win. Jessie Martz led the team with 10 points, followed by Skylar Alexander with 7, and Josie Martz with 6. Jesse had 23 rebounds, while Jossie provided the team 19! They take on a reputable Lakewood Christian school in the finals on Saturday.
