With Heritage Christian Academy’s time winding in the Kentucky Christian Athletic Association, the Warriors felt the need for some drama in their waning hours.
Jason Leek hit a tough jumper in the lane with seven seconds left to lift HCA to a 32-31 win over Community Christian Saturday afternoon and earn a trip to the KCAA championship game for the second straight year and third in the past five.
With the game tied at 28 with 45 seconds left, Carlos Robles stole an inbounds pass and scored to put the Warriors up two. Brinston Wilson answered for Community with a bucket and a foul. He converted the free throw for a 31-30 CCA lead with 21 seconds left.
Leek drove the baseline, found an opening in the paint, and scored the game-winner with seven ticks left. A 3-pointer by Wilson at the horn was off the mark and gave the Warriors the one-point win.
Down 13-8 after one quarter, HCA scored the first eight points of the second frame for a 16-13 lead.
The Warriors led 19-16 at halftime, but CCA scored the first six points of the second half for a 22-19 lead.
HCA’s defense ramped up a notch and held CCA with a field goal for the next 10:29 of the game. Heritage scored nine points during the stretch to lead 28-22 on a Leek bucket with 5:11 left.
Then it was HCA’s turn to endure a field goal drought, not scoring again until Robles’ steal and bucket inside the final minute.
Robles led HCA with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Leek added 10 points on a day when the Warriors hit just 32-percent from the field and held CCA to 31-percent, including 1-of-14 at the free throw line.
Heritage Christian Academy advanced to Saturday night’s championship game against Galilean, who defeated HCA 54-41 in last year’s championship game.
Community Christian 13 3 6 9– 31
Heritage Christian 8 11 3 10– 32
Community Christian – J. Hill 14, Wilson 9, Yissacher Hill 3, Yissac Hill 3, Lafollette 2
Heritage Christian (24-17) – Robles 12, Leek 10, Fowler 4, Diaz 4, Gibson 2
