By Dave Malenick, Correspondent

 

RALEIGH - The Cary Christian Lady Knights are Eastern Plains Independent Conference (EPIC) tournament champs for the second consecutive season.

 

The top-seeded Lady Knights defeated tournament host St. David’s 47-34 on Saturday in a game that was closer than the final score. Cary Christian (25-4) has not lost a conference game in two years.

 

“We’re peaking at the right time and playing tremendous team basketball,” said Cary Christian head coach Carmen Javaux, who also claimed EPIC Coach of the Year honors. “This was a great game tonight, both teams battled to the end.”

 

The Knights led 33-30 heading into the fourth quarter, but went on a 9-0 run to earn their championship repeat. Cary Christian picked up its defensive intensity in the fourth, forcing the Warriors to shoot 1-for-11, and also started to dominate the glass. Sophomore forward Dakota Dukes and freshman center Amy Van Deventer scored four and six points respectively in the period, helping the Lady Knights cruise.

 

“Our motto is that offense gets the glory but defense wins games,” Javaux said. “Our girls can shut opponents down.”

 

“It was important for us because tonight our shots weren’t falling early, but our girls stayed patient.”

 

Although Cary Christian never trailed, it was a much different contest than the semifinal match which saw the Lady Knights steamroll Kerr-Vance Academy 70-23. St. David’s, led by Taylor Pickens (10 points) and defensive stopper Remington Ivey, trailed 22-16 at halftime.

 

Dukes (13 points) was named EPIC tournament MVP and EPIC Player of the Year, while junior guard Abby Pettit (9) and Van Deventer (14) earned All Tournament honors. Senior Brittany Lord (6) earned honorable mention.

 

Both the Lady Knights and the Lady Warriors will represent the EPIC in the state playoffs, which begin later this week.

 

Cary Christian’s boys lost in the semifinals to Parrott Academy 66-57. It was their third loss this season to the third-seeded Patriots, who played host St. David’s in the title game.

 

All-Conference selections Christopher Thomas (21 points) and Lindsey Johnson (16) led the Knights. Cary Christian (15-13) jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but was outscored 16-3 in the second.

 

The Knights again took a lead in the third, 46-39, but Parrott went on a 21-4 run to seize control of the game. Thomas Bailed led the Patriots with 18 points.

 

“I think #44 (Matt McLaughlin) was the difference in the game,” said Cary Christian head coach Danny Thomas. “They were able to get the ball in to him on the low block and then he could distribute to those shooters.”

 

Thomas was pleased with his team’s effort, and noted the terrific competition in the EPIC. Although the Knights were unable to defeat the Patriots, they did earn a split with St. David’s this season.

 

“Our program is really making strides,” Thomas said.

 

It was the first winning season for Cary Christian, and Thomas hopes it is good enough to get an invite to the playoffs.