Terrell Academy girls advance to GIAA Final Four

DAWSON — For a moment Wednesday afternoon, it looked like heartbreak was about to replace celebration for the Terrell Academy Lady Eagles.

Then Hollis Baxter struck again.

Baxter scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Terrell Academy survived a physical playoff battle with a 2-1 victory over Lakeview Academy of Gainesville in the GIAA Class AAA state quarterfinals, sending the Lady Eagles to the Final Four.

Months after defeating Lakeview for the girls state basketball championship, Terrell Academy once again found itself locked in a tense postseason showdown with familiar faces on the opposite sideline. And just like the basketball title game, the Lady Eagles found a way to finish.

The two teams battled through a scoreless first half as both defenses controlled the pace in a match that grew increasingly physical as the night wore on.

Terrell Academy finally broke through late in the second half when Baxter scored to give the Lady Eagles a 1-0 lead, and it appeared that goal might be enough to send Terrell into the semifinals.

But Lakeview answered in dramatic fashion, scoring in the final minute of regulation to tie the match and force overtime.

Instead of folding after the crushing equalizer, the Lady Eagles regrouped.

In overtime, Baylor Moye sent a corner kick into the box, and Baxter delivered again, finishing the play for the game-winning goal that sparked a celebration on the field in Dawson.

“It was a great team win with multiple players stepping up and playing their roles well,” Terrell Academy head coach Olivia Rogers said. “It was definitely our most physical game we have played this season and the girls stepped up.”

While Baxter provided the late heroics, goalkeeper Lyla Griffin was one of the biggest reasons the Lady Eagles were still in position to win. Griffin recorded 19 saves and repeatedly turned away Lakeview scoring opportunities throughout regulation and overtime.

Time after time, Griffin came up with crucial stops as Lakeview pressured the goal, keeping the Lady Eagles alive long enough for Baxter’s overtime winner.

Now Terrell Academy is one win away from playing for a state championship.

The Lady Eagles will face the winner of top-seeded Frederica Academy and No. 8 seed St. Andrews in the GIAA Class AAA Final Four.