Michael Young - Sports Editor

From left, Lady Raiders Gabby Bates, Branna Owens and Katie Baltzeger celebrate beating AJA.

Michael Young - Sports Editor

Gabby Bates is intent upon the game.

file photo - Michael Young - Sports Editor

Darcey Holladay scored 12 points and 13 rebounds against AJA.

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The Jefferson Davis Academy varsity girls basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Andrew Jackson Academy 42-30 Thursday in the sem finals of the SCISA class 1A tournament.

The region rivals played hard all the way through three quarters with six lead changes and four ties.

However, during the last six minutes of the game, the Lady Raiders made the most of their opportunities.

Gabby Bates shoulder the scoring for JDA down the stretch.

Tied at 28-28 minutes in into the fourth quarter, Bates erupted for eight of the team's final 14 points, including four points in the last 51 seconds of play.

Bates said she was ready for the challenge.

"I was really pumped up and ready to go for this game because Andrew Jackson Academy is our rival," Bates said. "Even though this is my first year as a starter, I wanted to become more involved in the offense. I started a little slow this year, but now I'm beginning to find my rhythm."

With the victory, JDA advance to the finals where they will face Clarendon Hall Academy for a trip to state playoffs.

JDA coach Clint Inman said team executed well in the final quarter.

"For the first three quarters it was pretty much a defensive battle with both teams struggling to score," Inman said.

"In the fourth quarter, however, I thought our girls did a good job of generating offense with our fast break."

The Lady Raiders had several players who stepped up their performance, including Darcey Holladay with 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. Katie Baltzegar had five points, six steals and four assists. Lauren Neeley added four points and seven rebounds.