Lady Cougars Claim Area Title in Thriller, Finish Season with Regional Run

February 23, 2026 – The Lady Cougars delivered one of the most dramatic wins of the season Tuesday night, knocking off Grace Prep on the road in a 50-49 Area Playoff thriller to claim the Area Championship.

Grace came out firing, building a 14-7 first-quarter lead behind confident shooting and strong defensive pressure. The Lions responded in the second quarter, trimming the margin to just one at 23-22 by halftime and setting up a tense second half battle.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth fight. Macy Loftis poured in a career-high 25 points, hitting big shots in key moments, while Eva King added crucial buckets to help the Cougars repeatedly regain narrow leads. With four seconds remaining, Grace Prep tied the game at 49 from the free-throw line.

In a fitting finish, senior Paige Gilmore was fouled on a shot at the buzzer. With under a second remaining and the season hanging in the balance, Gilmore calmly stepped to the line and knocked down the game-winning free throw to seal the 50-49 victory. She finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in a tremendous all-around performance.

Jaci Whitson and Lilly Kennedy anchored an outstanding defensive effort against a talented Lion frontcourt, while point guard Rylee Phillips played a pivotal role in protecting the basketball. Her steady ball-handling helped limit turnovers against Grace Prep’s pressure defense — a key factor in the win.

The victory advanced the Cougars to a regional matchup with district opponent Hyde Park.

On Saturday, Grace turned in another exceptional defensive performance, holding the district MVP to just two field goals and limiting Hyde Park to 32 total points. However, the Cougars struggled offensively in the second half and fell 32-29 in a hard-fought contest.

Phillips and Gilmore once again led the defensive charge, containing the Panther backcourt. King and Loftis helped Grace build an early lead that held through halftime. Hyde Park rallied late to take a six-point advantage in the fourth, but Gilmore scored eight points in the final frame, including a three-pointer with four seconds left to cut the deficit to three. The Cougars forced a turnover to earn one final shot, but the attempt came up just short at the buzzer.

Grace concludes the season as Area Champions with an impressive 22-13 record. This outstanding group of young ladies represented Grace with class and sportsmanship all year long. While their growth on the court was evident, their commitment to honoring God through their effort and character defined their season even more.