Heritage Christian Academy rode a big night from Rachel West into the semifinals of the KCAA State Tournament as they handed Community Christian a 58-43 setback. The senior guard had two big quarters and finished with a game-high 31 points.
The Lady Warriors continued a trend of starting slow and finishing strong. HCA trailed 14-7 after one quarter but used a 19-4 second quarter run, with West scoring 13 points to give the Lady Warriors a 26-18 halftime lead.
Chelsea Dortch knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in the game and finished with 15 points as HCA extended their lead to 41-30 after three quarters.
West scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as HCA was able to put the contest away.
Kayley Wadlington and Hope Flournoy added four points for the Lady Warriors.
Madison Franklin scored 16 points for Community Christian.
The win by HCA completed a sweep by Region One schools at the state tournament. No. 9 seed Oak Ridge upset the top seed Highlands Latin 42-33 and will play HCA, the tourney’s fifth seed, Saturday morning at 9 at Asbury University. HCA beat Oak Ridge three times during the regular season.
It’s the third straight year HCA has advanced to the KCAA Tournament semifinals and will be shooting for their first state championship appearance.
No. 2 Glasgow Christian, who beat HCA in the region title game, beat No. 7 Somerset Christian 36-33 and will play No. 3 Trinity in the other semifinal.
