The Grace Christian Academy Cougars basketball team defeated Cordele’s Crisp Academy Wildcats 60-56 in the Georgia Independent Schools Association Region 3-AA semifinals to advance to the Region finals against Valdosta’s Georgia Christian Academy’s Generals.

In the Region 3AA finals they lost 56-26 to the Generals in Valdosta. The Cougars advance to the State Tournament this week with a game against Memorial Day in Macon.

Against Crisp Academy, point guard Noah Thomas with 25 points, three rebounds and two steals led them. Center Jack McRae and Tray Webb added 12 apiece. McRae also had three steals. Tray Webb joined Thomas and McRae in the double figure-scoring column with 12 points. Webb was also the Cougars leading rebounder with 12.

Rounding out the Cougars scoring column were Trey Dudley with seven points and 4 rebounds and Sam McRae with four points, four rebounds and four steals.

Against Georgia Christian, Jack McRae led the Cougars with eight points and four rebounds. Noah Thomas and Tray Webb each had six points and three rebounds and Sam McRae had four points and two rebounds. Nate Walton had six rebounds and Tre Dudley had two rebounds.

Cougars coach Doctor Mallory McRae said his team played hard in the Region semifinals and kept the score close in the first half.  The Cougars and Generals split their two regular season games. The Cougars won in Valdosta and the Generals won in Bainbridge.

“We trailed just 20-16 at halftime,” Doctor McRae said. “Our guys played hard and gave great effort but weren’t able to knock down enough shots in the second half. Give Georgia Christian credit. Both of us are very good basketball teams. We had a good season and I am proud of all of our young men’s efforts.”

The Cougars closed the season with an 18-7 overall record and an 8-2 Region 3-AA mark.