Varsity Girls 2018 Undisputed National Champions!!
MHEA played against their rival, the Oklahoma City Storm, in the national homeschool basketball championship game, and it was exciting right from the start! This game was a rematch of the 2017 undisputed championship game, in which MHEA came from behind and won the game in the last minute, 58-54. This time there was a little more urgency because MHEA had 7 seniors, and the team knew this was their chance to go out as champions.
The Lady Eagles got off to a quick start led by seniors Kylie Loadholt and Ashley Carson. The Eagles were 7 of 14 from three-point range in the first half. Kylie hit 4 first-half threes, Ashley hit 2 threes, and senior guard Lindsey Vaughn added another. The Eagles defense focused on stopping OKC’s best player, Raelene Eddens, who has signed with D-1 Oral Roberts University. Due to hot shooting and excellent defense, the Lady Eagles jumped out to a 38-16 halftime score. MHEA was led in the first half by Kylie Loadholt with 14 points and Ashley Carson with 13 points.
At the start of the second half, OKC scored two quick three-pointers and jumped out in a press to try to make a comeback. Lindsey Vaughn immediately answered with another three-pointer. The Lady Eagles continued to demonstrate great chemistry and teamwork as they moved the ball around to continue their hot shooting. MHEA grabbed the win with a final score of 62-28. The final scoring included Lindsey Vaughn and Kylie Loadholt with 16 points each, Ashley Carson with 15 points, Annaliese Burnett with 11 points, and Gigi Lewis and Kamille Clark with 2 points each. Senior point guard Gigi Lewis led in assists with eight.
On defense Ashley Carson was able to hold Raelene Eddens to 5 points for the game. Senior guard Annaliese Burnett added 2 steals and led in rebounding with 8 rebounds.
“I am most proud of our seniors for staying together all these years. They started playing with each other around age 10, so they could have easily gone their separate ways when things got hard; but they chose to stay. I think God rewarded them for their hard work and character. The championship game was a beautiful exhibition of all the things they have learned, as well as a chemistry that was built over time,” said Coach Tracy Rice.
The Lady Eagles got off to a quick start led by seniors Kylie Loadholt and Ashley Carson. The Eagles were 7 of 14 from three-point range in the first half. Kylie hit 4 first-half threes, Ashley hit 2 threes, and senior guard Lindsey Vaughn added another. The Eagles defense focused on stopping OKC’s best player, Raelene Eddens, who has signed with D-1 Oral Roberts University. Due to hot shooting and excellent defense, the Lady Eagles jumped out to a 38-16 halftime score. MHEA was led in the first half by Kylie Loadholt with 14 points and Ashley Carson with 13 points.
At the start of the second half, OKC scored two quick three-pointers and jumped out in a press to try to make a comeback. Lindsey Vaughn immediately answered with another three-pointer. The Lady Eagles continued to demonstrate great chemistry and teamwork as they moved the ball around to continue their hot shooting. MHEA grabbed the win with a final score of 62-28. The final scoring included Lindsey Vaughn and Kylie Loadholt with 16 points each, Ashley Carson with 15 points, Annaliese Burnett with 11 points, and Gigi Lewis and Kamille Clark with 2 points each. Senior point guard Gigi Lewis led in assists with eight.
On defense Ashley Carson was able to hold Raelene Eddens to 5 points for the game. Senior guard Annaliese Burnett added 2 steals and led in rebounding with 8 rebounds.
“I am most proud of our seniors for staying together all these years. They started playing with each other around age 10, so they could have easily gone their separate ways when things got hard; but they chose to stay. I think God rewarded them for their hard work and character. The championship game was a beautiful exhibition of all the things they have learned, as well as a chemistry that was built over time,” said Coach Tracy Rice.
16u Girls 2018 Undisputed National Champions!!
The MHEA 16u girls got off to a slow first-half start, and found themselves down to the Lubbock Titans 26-12 at the half. During halftime they made some adjustments and came out as a different team.
“We were able to get more pressure on their shooters and work together to get better shots on offense,” said Coach Tracy Rice.
Lacey Conley led the comeback with a three-pointer, followed by a three-pointer from Kaitlyn Thomas, and four points from Ashley Milewski; then Kamille Clark was fouled on a layup and completed the three-point play. MHEA was only down 28-25 at the end of the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter MHEA was able to take a 32-30 lead off of a three-pointer by Kaitlyn Thomas, but Lubbock was able to answer to tie it up at 32. MHEA was unable to score on their last possession, so the game went into overtime. During overtime Lacey Conley led the team with four points, including a buzzer beater layup at the end of overtime to seal the win!
“It was an exciting comeback and unforgettable shot at the end,” said Coach Rice.
“We were able to get more pressure on their shooters and work together to get better shots on offense,” said Coach Tracy Rice.
Lacey Conley led the comeback with a three-pointer, followed by a three-pointer from Kaitlyn Thomas, and four points from Ashley Milewski; then Kamille Clark was fouled on a layup and completed the three-point play. MHEA was only down 28-25 at the end of the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter MHEA was able to take a 32-30 lead off of a three-pointer by Kaitlyn Thomas, but Lubbock was able to answer to tie it up at 32. MHEA was unable to score on their last possession, so the game went into overtime. During overtime Lacey Conley led the team with four points, including a buzzer beater layup at the end of overtime to seal the win!
“It was an exciting comeback and unforgettable shot at the end,” said Coach Rice.
