Both GPS and Chattanooga Christian got off to starts about as cold as the CSAS gymnasium to get the Best of Preps Classic underway Monday morning. As the gym warmed up so did the shooting. Reaching a boiling point as the clock wound down in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter as the Bruisers mounted a terrific comeback to defeat the Lady Chargers by a slim 54-51 margin. GPS at one time trailed the Lady Chargers by as many as 16 points.

While trailing at the half by 10 Coach Susan Crownover’s GPS team made some apparent adjustments during the interlude.

According to Coach Crownover, “It was a matter of toughness. We had to question our toughness – especially when we had the basketball.” That toughness could have also been questioned with the Bruiser’s passing game. At one point in the first half Coach Crownover called a time out to ask the question of several of her players, “I don’t understand it. You can’t catch the ball; and, you can’t catch the ball; or you, either!”

As the turnovers mounted for both teams in the first half, it was especially apparent for Crownover as she went to her bench early and often.

“I thought we played better defensively in the second half,” said the GPS coach. “We also did a better job of getting the ball into Jeneh (Perry).” Perry, playing a strong post position, finished the game with 13 points, all from the paint. “Jeneh definitely began to assert control in the second half, “ acknowledged Coach Crownover.

GPS took the early lead with 52 clicks gone off the clock when Perry connected on a put back off a missed shot. That would be the last lead the Bruisers would enjoy until 2:54 was left in the game. Behind the hot hand of Chauncey Simmons the Lady Chargers would end the first quarter up by 13 to 11.

With GPS in a loose press, the Lady Chargers found ways around and over the Bruisers to reel off a 14-0 run in the first six minutes 11 seconds of the second stanza. CCS’ Brandis Dyer was key to the run as she scored eight of the 14 points during the run. GPS scored six of the final seven to end the first half at a 27-17 disadvantage.

As the third quarter started it was evident that adjustments had been made as the Bruiser passing game looked far neater and quicker in the execution. Where the Lady Chargers had controlled the boards in the first half, the rebounds now seemed to be ending up in GPS hands. Relying on second chance points and a couple of threes seemingly shot from the middle of East 3rd Street, the Bruisers outscored CCS by seven, 20-13, to pull within three of the Lady Chargers at 40-37.

With 21 seconds gone off the clock to start the fourth and final period, Lady Charger Hannah Farlett hit her only bucket of the day, a long 3 to push the score back out to 43-37. It was then that GPS’ Perry, Chadarryl Clay, and Mary Ana Caldwell went to work. A Caldwell 3 with 2:54 to go gave the Bruisers their first lead since the opening basket of the game. They never trailed again. Caldwell hit a pair of free throws with 12.4 seconds to go to get to the final of 54-51. Chattanooga Christians’ Dyer tossed up a desperation heave as the buzzer sounded only to have it take a spin of two around the rim before popping out.

GPS’ Clay led all scorers with 22 points including 3 treys. Perry ended with 13 and Caldwell contributed 12 in the win. Chauncey Simmons led the Lady Chargers with 18 while teammates Mercedes Owens hit for 10 and Chelsea Jones was good for 10.

GPS (7-1) will next meet the winner of the Cleveland-Baylor game which will be played at 1 p.m. this afternoon (Monday), The GPS-Cleveland/Baylor game will be played at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. The Lady Chargers will face the loser of the Cleveland-Baylor game in the consolation bracket Tuesday at 1 p.m. The Best of Preps runs through Wednesday evening with all games being played at the CSAS gymnasium.

SUMMARY
Score by Quarter:
GPS 11 6 20 17 54
CCS 13 14 13 11 51

Score at Half: GPS-17; CCS-27

Individual Scorers:
GPS (2PT-3PT-FTA/FTM TP): Lewis 1-0-0/0 2; Chadarryl Clay 5-3-5/3 22; Kemp 1-0-2/1 3; Busby 1-0-0/0 2; Jeneh Perry 6-0-4/1 13; mary Ana Caldwell 2-2-2/2 12.
CCS: Farlett 0-1-0/0 3; Reagan 0-0-2/2 2; Dyer 3-0-2/2 9; Chauncey Simmons 4-1-9/7 18; Mercedes Owens 2-2-0/0 10; Chelsea Jones 3-0-7/4 10.

3 Point Goals: Clay (3), Caldwell (2) (GPS); Farlett, Simmons, Owens (2) (CCS).

Total Fouls: GPS-17; CCS-13