FDA girls in Elite 8

BY CLAY BRANUM

The Greenville Standard

 

Fort Dale Academy was chosen to host their regional basketball tournament that started this past Thursday.  The regional boys’ and girls’ teams that made the tournament were Monroe, Pike, Northside, Hooper, Lakeside, Morgan and Fort Dale.

Luck smiled on the FDA lady Eagles by sending them straight to the second round to face Lakeside. Later that evening the varsity boys turn hit the court against Pike.

After a slow first half with neither team being able to consistently make baskets, the second half showed a turnaround for both teams fighting tooth-and-nail for the lead. With a minute left and down four points the Eagles started pressing hard but several fouls dug a 13 point deficit for the boys by the game ending buzzer. Pike won 56-43.

A special congratulation was given to FDA senior Luke Taylor for making his 1000th varsity basketball point.

Although the FDA boys’ team was knocked out in the first round, the ladies had their first game of the tournament on Friday in the second round against Lakeside High School. From the start of the game it was clear FDA had the upper hand. Lakeside just could not close the gap in score, much less overcome the dominant lady Eagles who won 52-29.

Stepping back onto the court on Saturday, the lady Eagles faced Northside Methodist High School in the in the final game of tournament for the championship with FDA winning 53-39 and firmly grasping their claim as the class AAA Region 2 champions.

The lady Eagles advance to the Elite 8 state tournament where they will face Edgewood Academy at Crampton Bowl Multiplex on Feb. 1. Game time is slated to begin at 1 p.m.