Legacy’s Lady Warriors Win HCAA 1A Regional Title
Legacy Academy’s senior high basketball teams made appearances in the Heartland Christian Athletic Association’s 1A Regional Tournament last week held in Hot Springs. The Lady Warriors secured the program’s first regional title after a challenging season, while the boys secured third place in the region. Both teams advance to the association’s state tournament which includes schools from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
The girls secured their regional title by defeating Gospel Light’s Lady Lions of Hot Springs 53-42. The game was extraordinarily close until desperation fouling at the end of the game sent the Lady Warriors to the free throw line where Sophomore Oaklee Lofton was sinking the shots. The Lady Warriors led at half-time with a 5 point lead. Gospel Light fought back with a strong third period where they outscored the Lady Warriors 20-11. The Lady Warriors could never get hot from the three point line, not getting any to fall, while Gospel Light hit 8 in the game. The Lockesburg girls pushed the ball down the court and penetrated well. Grabbing 14 of their points on transition and 24 in the paint. It was the free throws at the end of the game that secured the win. Dori Bartek led the team in scoring with 21 points, she also grabbed 9 rebounds. Oaklee Lofton had a double double giving the Lady Warriors 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Mercy Hagler hit double digits with 13 points and 12 rebounds! The ladies defeated CMA of Hot Springs Village on Thursday in a nail biter 38-35 in the semi-finals to advance to the title game.
In senior boys action the Warriors defeated New Life Christian of North Little Rock 63-54 to capture the third place slot in the region and securing the last ticket out of regionals into the state tournament. The Warriors were led by senior Ethan Gallagher in scoring with 27 points with a contribution of 15 rebounds. Manolo Vazquez followed giving the Lockesburg boys 17 points. Layne Schroer led in rebounds with 19 boards and 9 points!
Both teams play in the state tournament Tuesday, February 14th in Fort Smith.
