DAYTON, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – In a comeback for the ages, the Clarksville Christian School (CCS) Lady Centurions slashed a 22-point deficit to claim a 58-52 victory over Community Baptist School out of North Carolina in the championship game at the 2019 NACA National Tournament.

The National Association of Christian Athletes tournament was held Wednesday through Friday last week, and CCS went 3-0 against opponents in their bracket to reach the championship match-up.

In the title game, CCS went up early on a free throw by LaDeja Williams, but that would be the last time the Centurions saw the lead again until the fourth quarter. Community Baptist guard, Hannah Light, went on a scoring tear in the first quarter and lit the Centurions up for 11 points, including three 3-pointers. With offensive contributions from other team members, along with a stifling defense, CB led CCS 18-4 at the end of the first.

CCS forward Sydney-James Desroches helped chip away at the lead, but the Conquerors still led the Centurions 31-16 at the half.

With their backs against the wall at halftime, CCS Coach, Margaree King-Richard said the team had to ask themselves “do we get back up and keep pushing, do we keep fighting…or do we quit on each other?” She says her team never lost faith in each other, adding that “the entire tournament, we talked about having faith…having faith in God, in the abilities and talents He blessed us with, and having faith in each other on and off the court.”

In the third quarter, both teams traded baskets and played with equal defensive intensity, and CCS still trailed 39-26 going into the fourth.

That is when the game took a dramatic turn. With time running out and national championship hopes on the line, the Lady Centurions found the faith they needed to turn the tide.

When CCS 8th grader, Maddie Byrd, opened up the fourth by sinking three consecutive 3-pointers, the momentum began to shift in favor of the Centurions. Byrd went four for five on 3-point shots in the fourth and finished the game with 14. Williams added another 5 points, Leila Walden dropped 7, and Desroches added another 8 as the Centurions continued to cut into the lead.

CCS still trailed 52-50 with 1:28 left in the game when Clarksville’s Walden stripped Light of the ball just over half court and returned it to take a 2-point attempt but was fouled on the play. She took it to the line hitting both free throws to tie the game up at 52. From there, CCS turned on a smothering defense that refused to yield.

Forcing a turnover with 1:20 left, the Lady Centurions capitalized on it as Williams hit a shot on an assist from Desroches to give CCS its first lead of the game since Williams’ first points early in the game. From there Community had no choice but to foul, sending Desroches to the line where she was a perfect 4 for 4 in the final seconds of the game. Sydney-James Desroches, LaDeja Williams, and Leila Walden were named to the All-Tournament team, and Walden was named the 2019 Tournament Defensive MVP.

Following the win, Coach Margaree King-Richard was exuberant.

“Every young lady on our team has the heart of a champion, and now we have the hardware to match!” she exclaimed.

In addition to the fight in her team, Coach King-Richard also attributes the successful season to her assistant coaches, Cleveland Richard, Jeff Pettway, and Darnell Wilks as well as her team parents like Jennifer Byrd and also the support of the school.

CCS President Dr. Moser stated, “I am so proud of this team. They worked hard all season long and battled through adversity. They were put to the test in the championship game and they never gave up…they never stopped fighting.”

Clarksville Christian School opened its doors in August 2007 and is now in its twelfth year of operation. CCS anticipates another record-setting year of consecutive enrollment growth and expansion in the 2019-20 school year.