STORY BY CORY WOODROOF | PHOTOS BY ANDY COLLIGNON
If you’re playing a game of comparisons, you might as well match “Brentwood Academy basketball” with “state title game.”
The Lady Eagles were the first to book their ticket to the D-II AA state title game in a 56-36 victory over district for Father Ryan Thursday afternoon at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena.
Miss Basketball finalist Maggie Brown and standout junior Blair Schoenwald both notched 15 in the game, which saw BA fire off a 12-4 lead after the first quarter and never look back.
Father Ryan tried their best to get close after going into half and the fourth quarter only down by nine, but the Lady Eagles eventually got the game without of reach and ensured they’ll have a chance to go back-to-back as state champions.
“Our coaches did a great job preparing us for this game,” Brown said of game planning for such a familiar opponent.
Lauren Graham added in 13 to the final tally.
The Lady Eagles held every member of the Lady Irish to single digits throughout the game.
The team will attempt Saturday to add another year to the state-winning banner, which would be their fifth in six seasons (’14, ’15, ’16, ’18).
“I can’t even describe the feeling,” Brown said of playing for another ring. “We were all talking about this since the beginning of the season. We were trying to feel out who we were going to be this year…and I just love all my teammates, and we really worked hard to get here.”
The Lady Eagles graduated four seniors off that last team team, all of whom went on to play college basketball.
“I think, losing a lot of seniors, some people probably doubted us this year,” Schoenwald said of the current iteration of the Lady Eagles. “But I think the heart of our team knew that we were going to be able to bring it back.”
The quest for another title begins Saturday at Lipscomb, when the Lady Eagles will face the winner of Ensworth/Hutchison at noon.