Sometimes all the practice, preparation and game-planning can go up in smoke in a moment in a basketball game. Just ask the Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Lady Warriors.
A first-half injury to leading scorer Christen Collins altered the game plan and, despite holding a halftime lead, LFO fell at home Tuesday to Greater Atlanta Christian, 67-60, in the quarterfinal round of the GHSA Class AAA playoffs.
Collins, averaging 20 points per game, was hit in the face on a drive with under a minute to play in the first quarter and never returned. Minus the prolific scorer and perimeter defender, the Lady Warriors still used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to build a 21-14 lead and took a 28-27 lead into halftime.
Collins’ absence was felt on defense after intermission as GAC guard Jaci Bolden got hot and stayed hot, scoring seven points in the third quarter and 14 more in the final eight minutes to surge ahead and hold off a late LFO rally. Bolden, with the Lady Warriors having to foul to stop the clock, was 8-for-8 from the charity stripe down the stretch.
Christina Collins scored 11 of her team-high 22 points in the final quarter for LFO (28-2), which also received 16 from Angel Simmons and 12 from reserve Ziara Thompson. Kaleigh Addie and Trinity Thomas added 19 and 11 points, respectively, for GAC (24-6).