Credit: Craig Sager
Credit: Craig Sager
FORT VALLEY – Veterans coach Nicki Miranda called it redemption. Starting point guard Kya Cochran referred to sweet revenge. Cochran led Veterans with 12 points and hit two key free throws in the closing minutes to lead the Warhawks to a 54-48 victory against Carrollton in the Class AAAA girls quarterfinals at Fort Valley State University.
Veterans also used a pair of layups from the Nicholson sisters – Anna and Audrey – to erase memories of last year’s semifinal loss to Carrollton. Veterans lost on a last-second miracle shot in that game.
“We feel like this was redemption after last year, and we were thankful for the opportunity to play against such a wonderful program,” said Miranda. “It was great to have things go the other way.”
Veterans maintained a double-digit lead for much of the game, until Carrollton began going inside at the start of the third quarter. Much of the damage was done by Emily Waters and Erial Daniel, who led Carrollton with 13 and 11 points respectively.
Carrollton pulled to within 46-45 with 2:24 remaining in the game, setting the stage for free throws from Cochran and Jana Aultman and the Nicholson layups.
Aultman and teammate Carrington Kee added 10 points each for Veterans.
