PINEVILLE – One year after falling two points short of a state title, the Faith Training Christian Academy Lady Patriots are on top of the ACEL mountain.

The Lady Patriots allowed only none second-half points en route to defeating the CHEF-Baton Rouge Lady Patriots in the ACEL girls' state championship game Saturday evening at Pineville High School, 48-29.

It was a great ending to a stellar season, a season which saw FTCA lose just one time, avenging that 2-poiny loss in Saturday's final.

Additionally, all five starters won all-state recognition, with Tinsley Blakeney being named the league's Most Valuable Player.

Head coach Walter Young also picked up some hardware for his personal trophy case, being named Coach of the Year.

Faith Training fell behind early on with a three-pointer from CHEF's Anna Richerson, but FTCA quickly regained the lead and took a 10-6 advantage at the end of the first period.

FTCA began to build some confidence shooting the ball as Jade Bonner, Kylie Freshman and Keira Henry all connected on three-point baskets as the Lady Patriots owned a 23-20 lead over CHEF at the intermission.

But the second half was all FTCA as it outscored CHEF, 25-9, over the final 16 minutes to secure the state title.

Blakeney and Bonner each had 12 points in the win, while Fleshman added nine points. Kacey Mock notched eight points, while Henry finished with seven points.

Blakeney and Bonner were both selected first-team all-state, while Henry and Fleshman were second-team picks. Mock won third-team recognition.

Anna Richerson led CHEF with 11 points, knocking down a trio of three-pointers in the loss.

This article originally appeared on Leesville Daily Leader: FTCA captures ACEL state title