INDEPENDENCE, Ky. – The Lions are the champions! The New Covenant Christian Academy varsity girls’ basketball team won the 2023 Kentucky Christian Athletic Association Holiday Classic on Saturday, Dec. 2.
The Lions (4-0) defeated reigning state champion Oak Ridge Christian Academy 53-51 in overtime to win the tournament at Community Christian Academy in Independence. They also beat the host school 42-26 on Friday, Dec. 1.
Senior Ellie Etherton of Murray, who had 24 points in the championship game, was named MVP of the tournament. Junior Cate Taylor of Murray, freshman Jaye Williams of Murray, and seventh-grader Cecily Ray of Hardin were named to the all-tournament team. Taylor was the team’s second-leading scorer with 19 points in the championship game.
This is the fifth season NCCA has competed in middle and high school basketball for boys and girls, but it’s the girls’ first year as part of the KCAA conference.
NCCA opened for the 2010-11 school year and offers preschool through high school. Students are exposed to a God-centered biblically-based education as the foundation of all truth and knowledge. New Covenant is located at 218 College St. in Hardin. More information about the school is available at www.nccaky.org.