By CHRIS MEGGINSON / Sports Editor

Coosa Valley Academy posted a 22-7 run to the buzzer Thursday to defeat Sumter Academy, 51-37, to advance to Wednesday’s AISA boys’ basketball semifinal in Montgomery.

Coosa Valley held a slim lead through most of the quarterfinal battle at Huntingdon College Thursday, but woke up after Sumter took a 30-29 lead with 2:46 to play in the third quarter.

The play resulted in a timeout called by CVA head coach Chad Baker.

“The only adjustment we made was to speed up the game, because we were going really slow,” Baker said. “That was probably the slowest game we’ve played all year, and I think that’s because they were getting over being sick.”

The speed helped, as CVA collected its first two steals of the half to help pull back on top, 32-30, before the end of the third quarter.

Chase Lacy, J.B. Ripley and Brian Hurst combined for a 15-0 start in the fourth quarter to take a 47-30 lead with 2:21 left in the game. CVA held on for the win by hitting 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch.

Ripley led CVA (19-7) with 19 points, including 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Hurst added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Holcombe had 10 points.

Armstrong finished with 14 points for Sumter.

CVA will meet Warrior Academy in Huntingdon’s Roland Arena Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. It is the fourth meeting between the two teams this season with CVA having won twice.