GAINESVILLE, Ga. — After several recent frustrating trips to the annual Lanierland Tournament, the Chestatee girls are Lanierland champions again.
Freshman Ali Jae Bull scored with 9.1 seconds left to give the War Eagles a 49-47 win over Cherokee Bluff on Saturday in the 65th annual Lanierland Tournament at the Davis-Hill Gym. It's their first title since 2012.
"After halftime, Ali Jae had a slightly different role," Chestatee Coach Sutton Shirley said. "We had a starter in foul trouble, and she had to start. She came up to me and asked a very high-IQ basketball question. My answer was to play basketball because I trust you."
Chestatee senior and tournament MVP Caroline Bull had confidence in her younger sister.
"I've always told her she was better than me," Caroline Bull said. "She has always been great, and I love her to death."
The Lanierland Tournament has always held a special place in the hearts of local players and coaches, making this year's title even more special for the War Eagles.
"It's a special feeling," Shirley said. "Every kid we have in our program is a Hall County kid, so they know what Lanierland means. I think it's awesome to have a group of kids that are smaller than just about everybody in the tournament, slower than just about everybody in the tournament. But they work their tails off day after day and grow up coming to this thing and get to win it, led by three seniors who are huge contributors. We've had our heart broken several times the last few years in this tournament, so to pull it off for them in their senior year is great for them."
The tournament championship speaks to the toughness and tenacity of the War Eagles.
"We've had multiple games where we've been down or it has been a close game," Caroline Bull said. "In region tournaments and state games, we've played close games. We are used to this environment. Yes, it was nerve-racking at times. We believe and trust each other. We just take the next shot and move on."
Cherokee Bluff rallied from 6 points down with 2:13 to play to tie the game 47-47. Bluff sophomore Emery Jones hit four free throws, and Audrey Graham hit two free throws to tie the game at 47-47 with 47.9 seconds to play, setting up Ali Jae Bull's winning shot.
Caroline Bull scored 12 points. Ali Jae Bull, who won the tournament's Sportsmanship Award, also scored 12. Addison Boyd scored 9 points on three 3-pointers.
Claire Carlson scored 14 points and Bristol Kersh 13 to lead the Bears.
