Only one more win stands between the Boyd Lady Broncos and back-to-back TSIAA South tournament championships. Boyd earned its way into the finals Thursday, beating Franklin Classical 59-43 at home.
The victory, which followed a forfeit win in the quarterfinals, pushed Boyd's total to 22 triumphs this year - the fourth-straight year the team has topped 20 victories in the season. Saturday's championship game, held at Welch College, wasn't completed at press time.
Boyd (22-11) was led by 14 points from junior point guard Cydney Jane Perry, while sophomore post Brooke Kesey added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Macie Bush (13 points, three triples) and Katie Bechtel (10 points) were also in double figures for the short-handed Lady Broncos.
Super sub Zoe Oliver suffered a sprained ankle earlier in the week, leaving Boyd with just six healthy high schoolers for the game. It didn't seem to bug Boyd as senior Kelly Bush (nine points, seven boards) nearly got Boyd's entire starting lineup in double figures in a true team victory.
"We've been bit by the injury bug this season, but our girls just find ways to band together and get the job done," said coach Tim Page. "Our kids know our expectations as a program and they're ready to go when their number is called. I think the next step in our evolution will be expanding the roster with added depth, but I think that's going to resolve itself soon.
"We have some great kids who should be helping at the high-school level in the near future."
Freshman Brit Ralph stepped up when Boyd struggled with foul trouble in the first half, playing tenacious defense throughout the second quarter as the Lady Broncos went to half leading 34-20.
Eighth graders Charleigh and Channing Gannon also played spot minutes throughout the battle, one that ended with Boyd beating the Knights for the third time this season.
The Lady Broncos opened the second half with an 8-0 run, sparked by a pull-up jumper by Bechtel and two layups from Kelly Bush, and never looked back.
Boyd faced Franklin Road Christian in the championship game. See Wednesday's paper for more coverage.
