When the Colts and Broncos clash, it's usually for big stakes on the gridiron. Boyd and Christian Community may have thought they finished a football game after Thursday's battle in the TSIAA Division 1 state semifinals.
The Lady Broncos were able to keep rolling, winning 55-50 over the Colts to notch their seventh straight victory and 13th win in 14 contests. Boyd also closed out its final home game with its 11 consecutive triumph at JK Stanley Gymnasium.
Brooke Kesey battled consistent double- and triple-teams to finish with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while seniors Krista Chisam (nine points) and Paige Sweeten (eight points, four rebounds, three assists, one block) were crucial to winning their final game at their home gym.
"There's just something about this group and the fight they have. They play so well together, pick each other up and always work to help each other," said coach Tim Page. "We knew this was going to be a physical battle - they play a tough man-to-man and we don't back down on defense either. It was a special win for our girls."
Boyd (24-12) has been nearly been unbeatable on its home gym since December, but the Colts presented a huge challenge. Led by 19 points from AJ Caverly and a physical defense featuring a slew of near 6-footers, Christian Community led throughout the first quarter.
Sweeten and Katie Bechtel started the turnaround for the Lady Broncos in the second quarter. Bechtel hit the senior with a perfect hit-ahead pass for a layup midway through the quarter, then added two free throws to make it 18-18. After a Colt layup, Sweeten returned the favor, feeding Bechtel for a long jumper on the baseline to knot the score at 20.
By the time Bechtel and Sweeten worked a perfect 2-on-1 on the break, capped by Sweeten hitting a leaning layup, Boyd had pushed ahead 22-20.
Two huge offensive rebounds and putbacks late - one by Kesey and a buzzer beater by Chisam - had Boyd ahead 28-25 at halftime.
The Lady Bronco depth was tested in the third quarter when Sweeten, Chisam and Kesey all had to sit with three fouls, but Boyd was ready. Anslee McCrary had two key layups, Cydney Jane Perry connected on free throws and Macie Bush nailed a jumper near the end of the period as Boyd pushed its lead to 42-32 entering the fourth.
"Just a bunch of big shots from kids who have stayed ready and been stars in their roles all season," said Page about surging in the third with the team's three leading scorers on the bench.
Christian Community wouldn't go away though. The Colts cut the deficit down to three multiple times in the fourth, but Boyd wouldn't budge in the lead.
Kesey connected on a turnaround over a double team with 4:15 to play to make it 50-45, Chisam sank two clutch free throws a minute later to answer a Colt bucket and Perry had a driving lefty layup with two minutes left to keep Boyd ahead five.
The Colts never got closer as Boyd controlled the clock down the stretch, playing keepaway until the final seconds ticked away. The victory pushed Boyd into the state championship game against Clarksville Christian, which was played Saturday. Game results were unavailable at press time.
Boyd will finish its season playing the NACA tournament in Dayton on March 6-8.
Lady Bronco scoring - Kesey 17, Chisam 9, Sweeten 8, Perry 7, Bechtel 6, McCrary 4, Kelly Bush 2, Macie Bush 2
