Grace Baptist Christian Academy Boys’ Basketball Team Captures MACS State Title

For the first time in four years, the boys’ basketball team of Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro reigns supreme in the ranks of the Massachusetts Association of Christian Schools.

          The Centurions clinched their first MACS State Tournament crown since 2010 when they upset host Twin City Christian School of Lunenburg, 42-37, Saturday in the championship game. GBCA’s victory earned a berth in the Region Tournament sponsored by the New England Association of Christian Schools which will be held in two weeks.

          On Saturday, Nate Corkum tallied 16 points, tourney Most Valuable Player Shyheem Shorey contributed 10 points and Bryan Pacheco added 8 points as the Centurions expanded a four-point halftime lead into double digits in the third quarter before holding off several late TCCS thrusts. Will Evans, Lee Nichols, Aiden Flynn, Jonathan Bryden and Josh Davis all produced solid efforts as well for the victors, who had lost twice this season to TCCS in regular-season outings.

          The remainder of GBCA’s roster includes Alex Rodrigues, Cullen Hopkins, Will Turcotte, Chris Dutton and Coach Jeff Bailey.

          GBCA had advanced to the title contest by ousting New England Baptist Academy of West Bridgewater, 53-47, in a semifinal-round clash Friday. Shorey poured in 20 points, Nichols swished 18 points and Corkum finished with 15 points as the Centurions snapped NEBA’s three-year hold on the MACS state title.

          According to Coach Bailey, GBCA will be one of six teams entered in the NEACS regional event, along with squads from New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York. Now 10-6 this year, the Centurions will likely play a quarterfinal-round game Feb. 25 against an opponent and at a location to be determined.

          Also Saturday, GBCA’s girls’ basketball team failed in its bid for a third successive MACS state tourney crown when it dropped a 26-20 decision to Twin City, also in Lunenburg. Carrie Kirby and Kelli Nichols both finished with 8 points for the Centurions and Emily Dutton chipped in with the other 4 points.

          GBCA had moved into the final round with a 32-25 semifinal-round victory Friday over NEBA. Dutton topped all scorers with a career-high 20 points.

          The Centurions’ roster also featured Mary Jane Childs, Chelsea Oliveira, Rachel Nichols and Darlene Murray.