Chamber Rebels add holiday wins
BY KATIE MCELVY
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Chambers Academy basketball teams closed out the holiday break with a strong slate of wins, as JV and varsity squads delivered key performances in tournament play and road matchups.
JV Girls
Although the Chambers JV Girls trailed 7-9 at half against Hope Christian over the weekend, a big second half propelled the JV Lady Rebels to a win. The Saints added another basket to start the second half, but Kennedy Perry took a rebound back to the hoop, and Skylar Andrews pulled a three to give Chambers the lead. McKinley Hendricks hit a baseline three to increase the JV Lady Rebel lead to 17-11 at the end of the third.
Payton Stanford and Andrews hit back-to-back baskets in the fourth. Stanford then stole the ball on an inbounds play for a quick layup, and Perry found the net underneath the goal to make the final 27-19.
JV Boys
Bentley Terry scored the first 8 points for the Rebels off back-to-back threes as Chambers led 12-6 at the end of the first. The JV Rebels then took to long passes to break the press finding both Tounchie Taylor and Cameron Feyen under the goal to increase their lead 29-16 at the half. The JV Rebels went a little cold in the second half only scoring 12 points, but the defense held, and Chambers came away with a 41-39 win.
Varsity Girls
Chambers hosted a holiday tournament over the break. The varsity girls picked up a win over Trinity Christian in the first game and then faced Hope Christian in the second game. Against Hope, Madison Stanford and Samantha Lovelace both hit threes to open the game. Lovelace followed up with another three, and the Lady Rebels led 16-6 at the end of at one. Trenise Tigner found the goal on several fast breaks to give Chambers a 27-12 lead at the half.
Stanford hit a three to start the second half and followed up with another midway through the third quarter. To start the fourth, Lovelace hit back-to-back baskets, Anna Kate Jackson hit a three to round out the scoring and give Chambers a 52-28 win.
The Lady Rebels traveled to Hope Christian over the weekend. Madison Stanford opened up the scoring for Chambers with a three and added five more points early in the game. The Lady Rebels were near perfect on their free throw shooting with MeLeah Tigner, Trenise Tigner, Anna Kate Jackson and Abigail Downey all adding points from the line to give Chambers an 18-5 lead at the end of one.
The Lady Rebels got into foul trouble in the second allowing the Lady Saints to spend most of the second quarter in the bonus and giving them plenty of opportunities at the line; however, Chambers still maintained a 28-12 lead at the half.
The Lady Rebels continued to dominate in the second half with Emmalee Jackson getting two steal-and-scores in a row to round out the scoring and give the Lady Rebels a 42-23 victory.
Varsity Boys
In the holiday tournament, Chambers jumped out to a 7-0 lead against Lowndes, and held a 12-6 lead at the end of the first period. Christian Terry knocked down a three to start the second quarter. Braxton Terry stole the ball and took it to the goal for a basket, and pulled a three at the top of the key to give Chambers a 29-16 lead at the half.
Bryce Modling found the net underneath the goal twice, and Brady Forbus blocked a shot to set up a Braxton Terry basket. Jake Reames added another three to make the score 53-38 at the end of three. Trey Tigner pulled a three in the last period of play, William Lashley followed up a three of his own to make the final score 65-38.
Chambers faced off against Trinity Christian next. The Rebels jumped out to a 7-3 lead, but Trinity chipped away and tied it up at 10 all and then pulled a three to take a 13-14 lead at the end of one. Defense prevailed in the second quarter as Chambers trailed 18-26 at the half. Christian Terry pulled a jumper in the third to cut the lead to four, and Brady Forbus followed with back-to-back baskets to tie it up. Trinity got hot at the end of the quarter, and Chambers trailed 33-40 going into the final period. Trinity’s shooting was near perfect in the fourth as the Rebels stalled falling 38-56.
Chambers traveled to Hope Christian to round out their week. The Rebels already had six points before the Saints even got the ball safely across half court thanks in part to outstanding defensive play by Brady Forbus. Christian Terry added a three pointer, and the Rebel press continued to force turnovers giving Chambers a 27-14 lead at the end of the first. The Rebels continued to dominate on defense and stayed hot on offense giving Chambers a 78-53 win.
