Alaya Quisenberry had 10 points, seven assists, two rebounds and one steal against Henderson County. (Chris Zollner Photo)
Danville Christian Academy coach Billy Inmon didn’t mine words with his team at halftime Friday night when it trailed Henderson County 32-21 in the state tournament quarterfinals.
“We showed no heart. It wasn’t us. I really challenged them,” said Inmon. “We prayed God would give us strength and courage. I told them don’t forget when things are not going right, turn to the Lord and he will give you strength.”
After Henderson scored to start the second half and take a 34-21 lead, someone certainly provided inspiration and strength for DCA because the Warriors held Henderson to 10 points over the next 13 minutes to win the quarterfinal matchup 60-55 .
DCA scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and got another sensational performance from 6-5 Louisville signee Grace Mbugua. She had 32 points on 12-for-14 shooting, 15 rebounds, four blocks and one assist while playing every minute to more than offset her seven turnovers.
“She can get you out of your offense,” Henderson coach Steven Hale said. “You have to be leery when she is in there (near the basket). We knew she would get hers. She is a heck of a basketball player.”
Mbugua used a Biblical reference noting the Warriors wanted to be like Joshua, a Bible character.
“Being strong and courageous. Just stronger and bolder,” Mbugua said to explain how DCA got more aggressive in the second half. “The first half we were playing scared and not matching their physicality. Coach reminded us to glorify God and that we had to play big girl basketball now.”
Senior Grace Meyer went 5-for-5 at the foul line to finish with eight points along with five rebounds and two assists. She had several big plays after Henderson cut the lead to 49-48 with just under two minutes to play.
Inmon started coaching her when she was in fourth grade and she’s heard him “challenge” her and teammates often.
“He was getting us on pretty hard (at halftime). We did not come out intense. We talked it out as a team and tried our best to glorify God,” Meyer said.
Still, rattling Henderson County is not easy. Henderson’s pressure totally rattled Marshall County in a first-round win and definitely disrupted DCA in the first half.
“They were physical and brought it and we didn’t (the first half),” Inmon said. “It just comes down to guts. Henderson has been here seven years in a row. They do not get rattled. They rattle other people.”
That’s why Inmon said this will be one of the most memorable wins that DCA has had.
“I am as shocked as anybody the way we flipped (momentum),” Inmon said. “If we were playing a mediocre team, I would not be so astonished.”
DCA won’t be playing a mediocre team, either, in the state semifinals Saturday. The Warriors will get Sacred Heart, a 78-61 winner over Cooper Friday. Sacred Heart is going for its fifth straight state crown and is led by LSU signee Zakiya Johnson, a three-time state tourney MVP and considered by many the best high school player ever in Kentucky. She had a routine 20 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
“She is just a remarkable player,” Inmon said. “They have other good players but they go as she goes. The problem is it is really, really hard to stop her no matter what you do. We played them this season, so we at least know what we are facing.”
