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SEYMOUR — The King’s Academy girls basketball team made history on Friday night.
The Lady Lions knocked off visiting Harding Academy, 65-55, to win a Division II-A state quarterfinal, guaranteeing TKA a spot in next week’s state tournament for the first time ever.
The King’s Academy (25-6) has won 15 consecutive games and will play in the state semifinals Thursday at Allen Arena on campus at Lipscomb University.
Trinity Christian (30-1), Goodpasture (29-6) and Tipton-Rosemark (23-6) comprise the rest of the Final Four in Division II-A girls.
TKA got off to the right start Friday, building a 33-21 lead at the half. Harding won the third quarter, 20-9; however, TKA scored 23 in the fourth quarter to clinch the win.
Sophomore guard Bailey Burgess led the Lady Lions with 27 points, making six 3-pointers. Fellow sophomore guard Jennifer Sullivan had 25 points and five 3-pointers. Taylor Carter added nine points on three made 3s.
“This is huge for the program and the school,” TKA coach Blake Derrick texted about the win. “We got a little frustrated in the third (quarter) but knew we could come out of it if we just stayed the course. These girls have worked hard all season.
“I’m happy they get to experience this together and hope we can continue this journey for two more games.”
Kenneth Richmond was there to shoot photos for 5Star Preps.
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- Bailey Burgess runs the offense for The King’s Academy during its 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Jenna Timmerman (13) of TKA prepares to rebound for the Lady Lions during their 65-55 win Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Bailey Burgess directs The King’s Academy offense during Friday’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Bailey Burgess prepares to defend for The King’s Academy during their 65-55 win Friday over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Taylor Carter of The King’s Academy looks for an open teammate during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Amelia Pfeiffer of The King’s Academy shoots a free throw during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Taylor Carter of The King’s Academy defends during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Bailey Burgess of The King’s Academy looks at her 3-pointer fly during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Jennifer Sullivan of The King’s Academy looks for an open teammate during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Amelia Pfeiffer of The King’s Academy tries to get a shot off during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Bailey Burgess of The King’s Academy roots on her teammates on defense during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- Jennifer Sullivan of The King’s Academy looks for an open teammate during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- McKenna Monger of The King’s Academy lets a mid-range shot fly during a 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5StarPreps)
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- The King’s Academy defeated Harding, 65-55, to win a Division II-A state quarterfinal on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- A fan takes a picture of The King’s Academy girls’ basketball team, which secured its first state tournament berth thanks to a 65-55 win over Harding on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Jenna Timmerman cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Yasmine Baptista cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- TKA’s Matt Mercer shares in the moment, as the Lady Lions secured the program’s first state tournament berth via a 65-55 win Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, over Harding. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- McKenna Monger cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Bailey Burgess cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Jennifer Sullivan cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Jennifer Sullivan cuts her piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- Amelia Pfeiffer (23) watches on as teammates cut down the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)
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- TKA coach Blake Derrick snips off the final piece of the net following TKA’s 65-55 win over Harding in the Division II-A state quarterfinals. (Photo: Kenneth Richmond/5Star Preps)