The Arts & Sciences girls' basketball team advanced to the Region 3-A semifinals with a 59-35 first-round victory over Richard Hardy on Friday night at CSAS.
The District 5-A champions jumped out to a 16-5 lead at the end of the first quarter against the fourth-seeded team from District 6-A. At halftime, CSAS held a 26-13 advantage, and took a 38-24 lead into the final period.
Sarah McElvain led the Lady Patriots with 25 points, while Brooke Mitchell followed with 14 and Keturah Billen added 12.
Arts & Sciences, now 16-13, advances to meet the winner of Friday's game between Whitwell and Boyd-Buchanan in Monday's semifinal. District 5-A runner-up Silverdale Baptist also advanced to the other semifinal with a 45-26 win over Lookout Valley. The Lady Seahawks will meet Van Buren County, which defeated Grace Academy 76-41 on Friday.
"It's always good to survive and advance," Lady Patriots coach Zach Dragoo said. "Richard Hardy played really hard, and it was a good test for us with the raised stakes of an elimination game. Monday is the big one, so we are just going to work hard and get ready for either Whitwell or Boyd."
In other 3-A games, Whitwell ended Boyd-Buchanan's season with a 54-37 win. Van Buren beat Grace 76-41 and Silverdale beat Lookout Valley 45-26.
Scoring Summary
Region 3-A tournament
ARTS & SCIENCES GIRLS 59, RICHARD HARDY 35
Arts & Sciences 16 10 12 21 -- 59
Richard Hardy 5 8 11 11 -- 35
CSAS (59) -- Sarah McElvain 25, Brooke Mitchell 14, Keturah Billen 12, Montgomery 4, Little 2, Randolph 2, Lewis, Walker, Benn, Ealey, Justice.
Richard Hardy (35) -- Jade Case 13, Kyla Braden 8, Billingsley 3, Rogers 3, Martin 2, Provins 2, Philiphs 2 Whisnant 2, Tate, Delgado.
3-point goals: CSAS none; Richard Hardy 2 (Case, Rogers).
MONDAY'S SEMIFINALS
CSAS vs Whitwell 6 p.m.
Van Buren vs Silverdale 7:30 p.m.