LEBANON, Tenn. -- For the fourth time in the last seven years, the Grace Academy boys' basketball team is headed to the Class A state tournament.
And for the second time in that span, the Golden Eagles had to win a tough road sectional game in order to get there.
Grace rallied from an 11-point first quarter deficit to defeat host Friendship Christian Academy 55-49 in Monday's Class A sectional.
"Our guys never seemed to panic when we were down 15-4 to start the game," Golden Eagles coach Jon Mattheiss said. "Their crowd was loud and they were all going crazy, but we were able to stay relatively calm."
After outscoring Friendship Christian 22-9 in the second period, Grace took a five-point advantage into halftime, and led 41-32 heading into the final quarter. The host team cut its deficit to three in the final minutes, but was called for a technical foul after trying to call a timeout it didn't have.
Grace hit one of two free throws after the technical, then was fouled on the ensuing possession. The Golden Eagles connected on both foul shots to seal the six-point win.
"This is huge," Mattheiss said. "It's so tough to play this game on the road. I told the guys that there are great players on great teams who never get to go to the state tournament, and they're getting to go in back-to-back years. I really want them to understand and appreciate what a great opportunity that is."
The Golden Eagles will return to Murfreesboro next week with eight players who helped them reach the Class A final four last season, including Mr. Basketball finalist Brandon Herman, who scored a game-high 25 points Monday.
Senior Terrell Church finished with 12 points for Grace (22-7) despite playing through an ankle injury. The Golden Eagles also shot 8-for-13 from the free-throw line, to Friendship Christian's 4-for-12 in its home gym.
(E-mail Jaime Lackey at jaimenlackey@yahoo.com)
GRACE ACADEMY 55, FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN 49
Grace Academy 9 22 10 14 -- 55
Friendship Christian 17 9 6 17 -- 49
Grace (55) -- Rector 2, Terrell Church 12, Wilson 6, Nelson 8, Schley, Brandon Herman 25, Ruebusch, C. Carter, A. Carter, McMasters 2.
Friendship (49) -- Maasen 7, Parker Teeter 17, Hardie Sorrels 11, Hill 9, Wilson 2, Patterson 3, BeFevers.