MACA Lions finish as State Semi-Finalists

Submitted phhoto Joey Danek shoots.

Mountain Area Christian Academy basketball season has just ended on a very positive note. Although the teams did not win the GCAA (Georgia Christian Athletic Association) State Championships, they did go to the playoffs. The boys varsity team did make the final four, but fell to the eventual runner up, Jubilee Christian from Gainesville. Steven Vecchio, a senior, was chosen for the all-state team. Steven has contributed to the team's success the entire season, providing leadership for his teammates.

The boys' team win-loss record was 18 wins and 3 losses. MACA was the only team in their region to defeat Jubilee, the Region Champ and runner up in the state. The Lions will miss seniors Jonathan Hemby and Steven Vecchio next year. However, Coach Steve Shamblin sees the Lions team as being strong again next year.

The JV Boys also had a successful season with 13 wins and 4 losses. The JV team tied with Jubilee and went to a playoff game to determine the Region winner. Although the MACA team lost, Coach Shamblin is encouraged that the team will be strong next season.

The MACA Lady Lions season was a success for

both the JV and the varsity girls' teams. This was the first year for Junior Varsity Girls to have a team in the GCAA. The JV girls show great promise for the years ahead. The Varsity Girls played very well this season as well. Their win loss record was 10 wins with 5 losses. The Region record was 7-2. They had only 2 losses in the Region, both to Jubilee Christian of Gainesville. The girls were second in their Region and made the top eight in the state to qualify for the playoffs. In the GCAA, the top eight teams play to narrow down to the Final Four.

These four teams play for the championship, which took place in Hampton, Georgia February 9-10. In the initial playoff, MACA faced the number one team, Grace of Powder Springs. These girls were ranked first in their region as well as number one in the entire state. On February 2, the Lady Lions faced this team and did very well. The first quarter, MACA stayed even with Grace, but by halftime, the team was down by 14 or 15 points.

The second half MACA played well, but because of Grace's speed and experience, lost the game. One of the great highlights of the game was 8th grader Terah Hooper hitting six 3 point shots in the game. By the 5th and 6th shot, even Grace fans were cheering for the Lady Lions. Grace of Powder Spring went on the defeat the Jubilee Stallions in the championship to win the title of State Champions. The Jubilee Stallions came away with runner up. Jessica Dillard, MACA's only senior Lady Lion, will be missed by the team. She has played point guard for the four years she attended MACA. The rest of the team will return to continue developing the MACA Lady Lions basketball team.