The Greenville Christian School Lady Saints made history by defeating an old foe Saturday.
The Lady Saints (22-7) defeated the Manchester Lady Mavericks 61-50 to claim the school’s first ever MAIS Class 2A South State Championship Saturday at Greenville Christian. The Lady Saints and Lady Mavericks have both won two game against each other this season.
Tariyah Washington led the Lady Saints with 25 points. Williette Kingdom had 17, and Taylor Ellis added 12 points in the victory. Washington, Kingdom and Taylor were all named to the all-tournament team.
“This is a special group of girls,” Greenville Christian School coach Brother Sandifer said. “They all get along very well. They all play together. They all pull for each other, and they all love the Lord.”
GCS took a one point lead, 26-25, into halftime. The Lady Saints then outscored the Lady Mavericks 17-6 in the third quarter to take a 12-point lead into the final frame.
Sandifer said Washington, a sophomore, made a number of big plays for the Lady Saints throughout the tournament.
Washington scored 41 points in the Lady Saints’ 65-59 victory over Claiborne in the semifinal game.
“Tariyah has been making some great decisions for us, and she has shown so much improvement,” Coach Sandifer said.
In four games this week, Washington has scored 26, 27, 31 and 25 points. She also has had 45 rebounds, 18 assists and eight steals in this time period.
The Lady Saints will next play Tuesday against Hebron Christian in the opening round of the MAIS Class 2A State Tournament.
GCS has made the overall state tournament six times in Coach Sandifer’s 10-years at the helm, but this is the first time the Lady Saints come into the overall tournament as South State champions.
“I am going to let these girls take me as far as they can,” Coach Sandifer said.
