The Manchester Academy Lady Mavericks brought home the South State Runner-Up trophy on Saturday after falling in the South State Championship to Greenville Christian.
The Manchester girls played their first game in the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 13, where they made quick work of their opponents, defeating Providence Classical, the #4 seed out of Louisiana, with a score of 56-13.
Lanie Potter led the Lady Mavs in this game by scoring 17 points on offense. Following behind where Lizzy Carpenter with 13 points, Karley Martin with 8, Ivy Sowell with 4, and Olivia Fulton with 3.
Moving on to Game 2, the Lady Mavericks faced off against Centreville Academy on Friday, Feb. 14, defeating them in a close match-up with a score of 49-46.
"We played hard in that game," said Coach Emily Poe. "We had to make a halftime adjustment on our defensive side, and we were able to hold them to 5 points in the 3rd quarter, which was the difference of the game."
Poe said that the biggest play of them game occurred when Lanie Potter made a big steal with 20 seconds left in the final quarter, and put the Lady Mavericks ahead by 3 points, which sealed in their victory. However, as a result of the efforts put into the play, Lanie Potter landed wrong and ended up with an ankle injury.
In this game, Poe said that Lanie Potter led the team with 23 points, while Lizzy Carpenter came in second with 14 points. Ivy Sowell contributed with 6 points, while Karley Martin scored 4, and Anna Kate Griffin scored 2.
This victory advanced the Lady Mavericks to the South State Championship game held on Saturday Feb. 15, against Greenville Christian.
Poe said this was the fourth time they had faced the Lady Saints this season, and with Lanie Potter sitting out with an injury, the Lady Mavericks had to step up to the challenge.
Despite a hard fought battle on the court, the Manchester girls fell 61-50 to Greenville Christian, but took home the South State Runner-Up trophy in the process.
"Our girls played excellent without Lanie," Poe said. "They just missed her big scoring presence inside and on defense, but I thought we played well. They were proud of themselves and how they rallied without Lanie, and I think it gave them some renewed confidence in themselves that they were able to put up 50 points and only lost by 11."
In this championship, the Lady Mavericks put great effort into adding points to the board.
Anna Kate Griffin led the team with 11 points, with Sydney Porter coming in behind with 10. Lizzy Carpenter and Karley Martin scored 8 points each, while Hanna Havens scored 7, and Ivy Sowell had 6.
Lanie Potter, Lizzy Carpenter, and Anna Kate Griffin were also honored by being named to the South State All-Tournament Team based on their performance on the court.
By securing the Runner-Up in South State, the Manchester girls advanced to the State Tournament held this week at Sylva Bay Academy.
Game 1 for the Lady Mavericks was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. against Columbus Christian. The winner of this game will advance to Game 2 on Friday.
