By BRITTANI MORRIS / For the Reporter

COLUMBIANA — The Coosa Valley Academy girls’ basketball team inched past Cornerstone Christian School 40-37 in an Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 1A, Area 1 battle Jan. 20.

“Overall I think they played a tremendous game,” said Coosa Valley head coach Kimbo Rutledge. “We have had problems this year, but I think we played all four quarters well tonight.”

The game started out very slow paced, but after coming out of the locker room starting the second half 17-11 both teams picked up their momentum.

“I think our strong point is defense this year,” said senior Jana Kelbie Armstrong. “Whenever we’re playing good defense our game is on, especially when our shots are falling.”

Armstrong finished with 8 points for the Chargers’ following behind Savannah Upton with 15 points. Destiny Dillard contributed with 5 points.

Rebels’ Lauren Archer said, “We performed the best we have all season and started the game off like we wanted it all.”

Archer led the Rebels’ with 14 points. Kaylan Rich chipped in with 12 points and Samantha Baker with 6 points.

“It’s hard to beat a team three times in a row,” said Cornerstone head coach James Lee. “I guess it was just their night.”