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By C.Y. PETERS

The Happy Valley Lady Warriors showcased resilience and determination in their first appearance at the Carvers Bay Girls Christmas Showcase in South Carolina. Despite their best efforts, the Lady Warriors suffered their first tournament loss on Saturday, falling to 5A powerhouse St. James by a narrow margin.

The game was a nail-biter, with the Lady Warriors leading by two at halftime and trailing by just one point heading into the fourth quarter. However, untimely turnovers and struggles at the free-throw line proved costly in the final stretch. The team managed to convert only 9 of 20 free-throw attempts, a statistic that head coach Dana Hill acknowledged as pivotal in the close contest.

“We just had some untimely turnovers in the fourth and missed too many free throws to maintain our lead,” said Coach Hill. “They did a good job of getting the ball to their best free-throw shooter at the end, and she delivered. I thought we played really well for three and a half quarters, and if not for the turnovers, we could’ve played well for the whole game.”

Defensively, the Lady Warriors shone, holding the high-scoring St. James team to just 38 points. “To hold a team like that to 38 points proves we can be good defensively,” added Hill. “We just have to do a better job on the offensive end. You can’t miss free throws and make turnovers that take away our chances of scoring.”

Cayden Anderson led the Lady Warriors in scoring, contributing 11 points and keeping the team within striking distance throughout the game. Alex Moore and Shaniece Gardner chipped in with six points each.

The Lady Warriors are determined to bounce back as they prepare to face 4A Andrews High School on Monday at 3 p.m. With a renewed focus on sharpening their offensive execution, the team is eager to make a strong statement in their next tournament outing.

Coach Hill and the Lady Warriors remain optimistic about their potential and look forward to showcasing their grit and determination in the games ahead.

 

Happy Valley 7 12 4 3 — 26
St. James 13 3 8 14 — 38

Happy Valley: Moore 6, Whitehead 2, Anderson 11, Zeoli 1, Gardner 6.
St. James: Centracchio 13, Yandle 10, Allen 4, Tibbity 9, Winsesett 2.