BY DAN FLESER
NASHVILLE – Claire Brock was Christian Academy of Knoxville’s biggest fan on Saturday.
She hoped for a bigger, more active role in the Lady Warriors’ Division 11-A state championship game against Providence Christian Academy, something befitting her team-leading scoring average of nearly 20 points per game.
But the Lady Warriors senior guard couldn’t overcome a stomach virus that slowed her all weekend. And her resilient teammates couldn’t stay with the Lady Lions, falling 41-29 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena.
“I was so proud of the way they fought tonight,” Brock said. “They left it all on the court. I wish I could’ve been out there with them.”
Three Lady Warriors — Kennedy Smith, Ellie Fussell and Hannah Carroll — made the all-tournament team. PCA had three honorees, led by tournament most valuable player Yaubryon Chambers, who scored 16 points and gathered 10 rebounds.
Brock went to a local hospital for IV fluids on Friday and then logged 26 playing minutes as a useful decoy in CAK’s 47-39 victory over Northpoint Christian School. Instead of a hopeful sign, her effort essentially turned out to be a final act.
“I thought I’d be able to regain my strength and play stronger,” she said. “It was too much for my body.”
Brock was in and out of the game throughout. She logged only 12 minutes, just three in the second half. The Emory signee attempted three shots and scored one basket.
Getting along without her against Providence Christian was a taller order than overcoming Northpoint. Led by Vanderbilt signee Chambers, the Lady Lions stormed into the championship game with a 56-40 semifinal thrashing of Harding Academy. They were buoyed by large cheering section from their nearby hometown of Murfreesboro.
To make matters worse, CAK (26-6) shot just 23.7 percent from the floor and didn’t have a double-figure scorer. Carroll led with nine.
CAK girls finish runner-up in Division II-A state girls’ basketball. (photo: Steve Wheeler)
No matter, the Lady Warriors tried to make the best of a bad situation. They literally covered for their offense for as long as possible with stingy defense. Their zone alignment was active, moving in and out like an accordion to account for the 6-foot-1 Chambers while also getting to sharpshooters.
Chambers struck for consecutive baskets late in the first half. One came when the center moonlighted as a guard, stealing the ball from CAK’s Kennedy Smith in pickpocket-like fashion and taking off for a breakaway layup.
At that point, Brock summoned her lone scoring response and it was timely. She swished a 3-pointer from the corner to forge a 14-all tie at halftime.
PCA (22-7) gained some separation during the third quarter. Consecutive baskets by Chambers pushed the Lady Lions’ advantage to 30-22 with five minutes left. In the end, CAK didn’t make a field goal during the final 4 minutes, 46 seconds, finishing with a season low for points.
“Sometimes you just get faced with adversity,” CAK coach Abby Williams said. “I wouldn’t take anything away from their fight for the entire game. We’re going to keep our heads held high.”
With fighting back tears, Carroll was clear eyed about her teammates and the team’s accomplishments.
“I’ve played with these girls forever,” Carroll said. “It’s really hard. They’re like sisters to me. … I’m proud of everything we did. We’re proud of how we went out.