Hebron Christian overcomes young roster to return to final four: Lions beat St. Francis in rematch of last year's state title game

Sophomore Amiya Porter: “A lot of people doubted us because we graduated nine seniors, so it feels really good to make it back to the final four.”

Author:
Zach Shugan
Publish date:
Mar 3, 2022 1:35 AM EST

By Zach Shugan | Photos by Ed Turlington

ALPHARETTA, GA. — When Hebron Christian saw nine seniors graduate after winning a state title in 2021, few could have predicted the Lions would still be alive in March 2022, just two wins away from repeating as state champions.

That’s exactly where Hebron finds itself, however, after going on the road Wednesday and fending off St. Francis for a 53-51 victory in the elite eight.

Fittingly enough, it was an underclassman who sealed the deal for Hebron.

Following a back-and-forth affair for over 31 minutes, sophomore Amiya Porter broke a tie and put Hebron ahead by hitting a pair of free throws with six seconds left.

“A lot of people doubted us because we graduated nine seniors, so it feels really good to make it back to the final four,” Porter said.

Porter (11 points) was one of three underclassmen to score in double figures for the Lions, with freshmen Aubrey Beckham and sophomore Nickyia Daniel adding 10 apiece. Senior Jessie Parish opened the game with a 3-pointer and finished with a team-high 13 points.

“I’m just really proud of this young group,” Hebron Christian head coach Jan Azar said. “I’m proud of our three seniors that led us. They’ve led us all season and been patient with these young girls, and the younger players have come along slowly but surely. Tonight was ugly, but I just felt like we had fight in us, and I enjoyed seeing that.”

Hebron (25-5) played from behind St. Francis (25-4) for most of the night until taking control early in the fourth quarter. Even when the Lions took the lead late in the game, they had to fend off one final effort by St. Francis.

The Knights knotted the score in the final minute with a floater by Nya Young, and they had multiple chances to regain the lead at the free-throw line.

St. Francis couldn't convert from the line when it needed to most, while Hebron scored the game’s final and winning points at the line.

“They just fought,” Azar said. “I don’t think it was the prettiest basketball game. Both teams really got after it. I don’t know if one team wanted it more, but I felt like at the end we finished when we needed to, and we finished at the line.”

Next up for Hebron in the final four this weekend at Buford City Arena is an opponent the Lions know well — Galloway, a fellow member of Region 5.

The winner earns a trip to Macon for the Class A Private state championship game, where they could see another member of their region.

Region 5 champion Holy Innocents’ is set to take on Mount Paran in the other semifinal.

Just as St. Francis took the court Wednesday with memories of last year’s loss to Hebron in the state championship game, Galloway will have revenge on its mind this weekend.

The Scots were eliminated by the Lions in the final four last year, in addition to losing to Hebron twice this season.

“I know they’re going to be ready, and they’re going to want to come and avenge that loss just like St. Francis tonight,” Azar said. “We’re going to come and play our game and do our best to not let emotions rule.”