Lady Lions roar into state championship game

ACA advances with 60-35 win over Arendell Parrott Academy

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 23, 2021

The Lady Lions of Asheville Christian Academy moved one step closer to winning their second consecutive NCISAA 3A State Championship with a 60-35 victory against Arendell Parrott Academy on Feb. 23.

ACA entered the postseason tournament as a No. 1 seed and cruised to a 53-21 victory at home over No. 4 Hickory Grove Christian last Friday. The Lady Lions, who won the first state championship in the program’s history last season, were one game away from the title match when the No. 3 seed Patriots arrived Tuesday.

The Lady Lions opened the the game against the Patriots with an 8-0 run and ended the quarter with a 16-8 lead. Senior Nahndi Smith (21), who led the Lions with 13 points, helped her team enter the half with a 9-point lead.

ACA made plenty of adjustments before taking the court in the third quarter, when they pushed the lead to 26. The Lions held strong in the final frame to secure a return to the championship game where they will host the winner of the High Point Academy and Concord Academy game.

Sophomore Emma Larios (2) joined Smith in double-digits with 12 points in the win over Arendell and sophomore Elizabeth Harrington (1) added 9.

ACA will look to secure the state title when they take the court at 2 p.m. this Saturday.

To see photos of the Lions’ win over Arendell Parrott Academy, view the gallery below.