It was a historic week for JA basketball as both the Raiders and Lady Raiders advanced to the Final Four of the MAIS Overall Basketball Tournament at Mississippi College, bringing plenty of Raider pride to Clinton.
The Lady Raiders made their first Final Four appearance since 2021 after a hard-fought victory over Pillow Academy on Friday. Facing Simpson Academy in the semifinals, JA trailed 30-25 at the half and couldn’t quite close the gap, falling 57-46 to close out a tremendous season with an overall record of 21-13. Mylee Maurer led the charge with 18 points and seven rebounds, tying Avery Buchanan and Ella King for the team lead on the boards. It was a season full of accomplishments and one this program will look back on with pride in Coach Henry Gantz’s first year at the helm.
The Raider boys also had a weekend to remember. After dispatching St. Joseph in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, the Raiders took care of business against Leake Academy in the Final Four. Holding a slim 27-23 lead at the half, the Raiders pulled away in the second half and won convincingly 61-43. Austin Richards was dominant on both ends of the floor, finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead the way.
With the victory, the Raider boys advance to the MAIS Overall Finals for the third consecutive year. They will face MRA tonight, February 24, at 7:45 p.m. in A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.
Raider Nation, it’s time to pack the gym and bring home the hardware.
