![Pictured are West Florida Baptist Academy's Panhandle Christian Conference Tournament MVP Ayanna Kelker and Coach Harold Kelker. [Special to the Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-66510dfa-b827-0602-e053-0100007fb122-667655d5.jpeg)
SILVERHILL, Ala. — The West Florida Baptist Lady Conquerors basketball team is once again the Panhandle Christian Conference basketball championship winner. The Conquerors beat Bayshore Christian Academy of Fairhope, Ala. with a fourth-quarter, 22-point streak for the win.
To reach the championship game, WFBA defeated Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 49 to 27. Ayanna Kelker led Conqueror scoring with 17 points, followed by Alyssa Johnson with 12, Allison Whiting with 10, Janelle Riley 6, and Madison Whiting and Kyleigh Morris each with 2. Riley added 14 rebounds, 9 defensive and 5 offensive.
Referring to the championship game, WFBA Head Coach Darrin Johnson said, "We followed our best game of the season (versus Lighthouse PCA) with the worst half offensively we've had all year." The teams together scored 6 points in the first quarter: 4 by WFBA and 2 by Bayshore. Bayshore held WFBA scoreless in the second quarter while Bayshore tacked on 11 more points. So, the Conquerors trailed 4 to 13 at the half. In the third quarter, both teams scored, but WFBA only matched baskets and trailed 10-19 to start the fourth.
The Conquerors got within 2 points with less than two minutes remaining due to an effective press, offensive rebounds by Riley and clutch performance at the free-throw line by Johnson, Riley and Kelker. Kelker tied the game with a pair of free-throws.
"When Ayanna tied the game, it got loud," Johnson said. "We got the stop, a great pass, and Allie drained the 3. It got deafening. Maddie blocked a shot then Ayanna took the game over controlling the ball and making free throws. It was unbelievable. These girls never gave up and did everything we asked them to do."
Johnson gave credit to multiple players.
"You know, Ayanna closed this out, sealed the win," he said. "Her performance Friday and today, she earned that MVP. But Nelly (Janelle Riley) got us in reach today with all those boards (rebounds). Coach Harold has done a tremendous job with her."
Riley, the leading scorer, recorded a double, double with 11 points and 13 rebounds (8 offensive) followed by tournament MVP Kelker with 10 points and 9 rebounds, A. Whiting with 5 points and 4 rebounds, M. Whiting with 4 points and 5 rebounds and Johnson with 2 points. Kelker added 4 steals and M. Whiting recorded 4 assists.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Lady Conquerors score 22 points for comeback win