Lady Cougars Fall in Season’s Semifinals
The historic run for the Piedmont Academy varsity girls basketball team came to its conclusion Thursday in Americus.
The Lady Cougars (21-4) fell to Westwood 61-49 in the Class AA state semifinals. The 2020-21 season saw Piedmont capture a region championship and then advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history.
“I thought we played a pretty good game,” coach Michael Wilson said.
“Westwood did a really good job of trying to take away our scorers and at times it frustrated us into making mistakes and against good teams every possession is magnified. We don’t have anything to be ashamed of. We kept fighting. We cut the lead to down to six or eight points two or three times in the fourth quarter and couldn’t get over the hump.”
Marissa Holder paced the Lady Cougars with 15 points while Haley Ann Frank scored 14. Sydney Stroud and Maddie Waddleton both finished in double figures with 10 each.
The Lady Cougars trailed 29-23 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Westwood had built a 15-point cushion at 46-31.
“We knew we needed to limit their offensive rebounds but we struggled in that area at times,” Wilson said. “Number 22 (Naia Benefield) was so strong and athletic and we had a hard time containing her. She was the difference in the game. You just have to tip your hat to them. They beat us and played well. Sometimes you can play well and come up short.”
Benefield led the Lady Wildcats with 25 points. Benefield was the lone Westwood player in double figures.
“Maddie and Haley Ann fought all game on the boards,” Wilson said. “They played really well at both ends of the court but they were up against girls who were so strong and athletic. It was a tough matchup but they fought and that’s all you can ask. Marissa and Haley Ann played really well for us offensively. They attacked the basket and opened up opportunities for others. I felt we could get to the basket against their defense and we did that. Maddie and Sydney also played really well offensively for us.”
Stopping Holder was definitely part of the game plan for Westwood.
“Marissa was hounded all game and it was full court by several defenders,” her coach said. “She never had a free breath but the way she competed and as an eighth grader you can’t ask for anything more. It’s a lot to ask a 14-year-old to do that against 17 and 18-year-olds but she didn’t back down. She’s just an amazing talent.”
Hannah Tyler was a standout for the Lady Cougars defensively.
“Hannah was outstanding on defense,” Wilson said. “We were able to take away most of their outside scoring. Unfortunately, they made three 3-pointers at big moments in the first, second and fourth quarters that kept them just out of reach.”
While players and coaches were disappointed not to move on to the championship, Wilson said it was still a great season.
“It was arguably the best ever for the girls program in school history,” he said “We have some key players to replace but what our three seniors did is to leave the program better than when they arrived. That’s what it’s about. It’s about family and culture. We want girls like that who will come in and work hard and make us all better so that we will continue to be successful. Bigger things are in store for this program and we are all excited for the future.”
In the championship game, Brentwood defeated Westwood for the AA girls state championship.