Dwight Howard II Gymnasium-SACA-Atlanta, Ga.

SACA's Mariah Chandler tickles the twine on this beautiful jumper.

Win or go home!  That is the order of business as the Lady Warriors of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (SACA) opened up with a solid opening round victory over the Lady Blue Devils of Bremen by a score of 64-54.

The Lady Warriors have been through some rocky times this year as they played inarguably the toughest schedule in all of Class A as to be tournament tested for February and March.  With only a 16-14 record, many might think that SACA has not been successful this year, but I beg to differ.

SACA has come into the state tournament led offensively by freshman Mariah Chandler who was recently selected for the 2005-2006 4SHOT Hoops All Classification Freshman Team with her gaudy stats of 16 pts and 11 boards a game.  Chandler, a 6’1 post player was a dominating factor against Bremen as she put up 22 pts with an array of offensive moves.

SACA's Precious Friend looks to put the lockdown on Bremen's Jennisea Whitaker.

The Lady Warriors are a very talented squad, who display a lot of versatility.  Sophomore forward Precious Friend played a big-time game as she pumped in 12 pts, three coming on a long bomb at the third quarter buzzer that gave the Lady Warriors a big boost.  Friend is known as a defensive stopper who can shut down anyone on the floor.  But today she was just as dominating on the offensive end of the floor as well.

Bremen’s All Region Performer Jennisea Whitaker gave the Lady Warriors all they could

SACA's Briana Brown is too much to handle as she posts on Deara Almon.

handle as she stuttered stepped her way to a team high 17 points.  Whitaker displayed the whole package as she drove to the hole as well as shooting some big time three’s.  Whitaker was not alone in her 3 pt assault as teammate Haley Sewell made four from the arc for her 12 points.

As was indicated earlier, SACA is a very versatile team, none more versatile than sophomore point guard Briana Brown  (2004-2005 4SHOT Hoops All Classification Freshman Team Member).  Brown, who can play four different positions flirted with a triple double once again as she scored 8 points, dished out 7 assists and pulled down 10 rebounds. 

By no means are the Lady Warriors a three man team. 

Junior Christina Robinson of SACA shows perfect form on the jump hook over Bremen's Delana Dewberry.

They have production from all eight players as sophomore Latonya Scott  (11 pts) and junior Christina Robinson (2 pts) are big time post players.  Senior Cori Pinkett (6 pts) brings stability and a nice jump shot along with long range bomber Latorria Jones (3 pts). And then there is Naomi Thompson, who has been rebounding like she owns the ball.

Up next for SACA will be Hebron Christian Academy.  The Lady Lions put SACA out in the Sweet Sixteen last year, so revenge is on the mind of the Lady Warriors.  Remember, turnaround is fair play!