JV girls win 2nd place
The Lady Mariners junior varsity captured runner-up in the SCACS JV tournament this weekend. The girls were on a run, with fierce defense shutting down opponents in the quarter finals and semi-finals, leading to high expectations in the championships.
Strong defense continued in the final contest, but the Mariners also ran into a top quality defense. Unable to get their own offense going, LPA fell to an excellent Maranatha Bulldogs squad.
With head coach Chris Miller sidelined with an illness, coaches Robinson and Spratley directed the Mariner success. 
JV boys face nailbiters
.jpg)
When the junior varsity boys team traveled to Greenville for the SCACS JV tournament, they knew they would be facing the state's top competition. But such tight games?
When the fans could sit down, it was only on the edge of their seats. In the quarter finals, the lead changed between the teams constantly. From a 6-point gap at halftime, the Mariners battled back Friday to win at the buzzer.
In Saturday's semi-finals, the territory was strangely familiar. Down by six points again at half time, the Green came roaring back with the lead swapping again and again. Down by a bucket with seconds left, the LPA defense stole the ball and raced down the court. The shot just at the buzzer was right on target, but bounced away, and Oakwood Christian of Anderson clinched a victory.
While the victory slipped away, the strong play suggests that next year's season will have strong talent on both the JV team and -- with the 10th graders rising -- a powerful varsity.
Mariners in JV tourney
Basketball practices continue through next week to prepare the JV teams for their SCACS state tournament at Tabernacle Christian in Greenville, Sc. That tournament for players through tenth grade begins on Friday, Feb. 24.
Golf team forms
Golf season is here and students in grades 6-12 are invited to come out for the co-ed varsity team. The spring sports season is a short one, given LPA's winter and Easter breaks. For this reason, Golf team formation will begin quickly. Below is the February schedule:
- Tuesday, February 14, 4 to 5:30 pm Commitment day and practice
- Thursday, February 16, 4 to 5:30 pm Practice
- Monday, February 20, 4 to 5:30 pm Practice
- Thursday, February 23, 4 to 5:30 pm Practice
Practices and matches will be at Spring Lake Golf Club in York. For more information, visit the "activity information" page under "resources" or click here.
Varsity in BB play-offs
Congratulations to both the girls’ and boys’ varsity teams for making it to the SCACS 2A basketball play-offs!
Both squads earned home court advantage for the first round, and those games were held this past week. In both contests, the Mariners came out on the short end of the score to teams from Oconee Christian near Clemson. In the case of the guys’ game, LPA had a last second chance to tie with a long 3-pointer that bounced off the rim. Thanks to the fans who turned out both nights to cheer on the young men and women.
The Mariner varsity teams have one final match to complete their season, a road game this Monday in Lancaster, SC against Carolina Christian.
In evaluating the season, a win-or-nothing mindset might focus just on the play-off losses, but actually, there is very much to celebrate:
- The boy’s varsity played very well during the year.
- The girls’ team won its SCACS Piedmont region, based upon strong defensive play.
- Both teams faced off against excellent competition, including public charter schools.
- With only five seniors on the two squads, younger players put a lot of playing experience in the bank for next year.