NATCHEZ — The high-intensity and sometimes physical contest between Adams County Christian School and Columbia Academy was in its final seconds when Lady Rebel senior Abby Givens stepped on the court.

It was the first time Givens had stepped foot on a basketball court since suffering a concussion early in the season. In a moment of civility in the hard-fought battle, Givens received an inbound pass underneath the Lady Rebels’ goal, the lane cleared, and she dropped in an uncontested layup for the final two points of her career.

The bucket did not help the Lady Rebels much in the game, as Columbia cruised to a 45-27 win, but it was a great way to send out a senior that had meant a lot to the ACCS program, head coach Melanie Hall said.

“That was great for Abby,” Hall said. “Abby is a player that could play all five positions on the floor for us, and I know she was disappointed having to sit out her senior year, but this is something she can tell her grandkids one day.”

Hall said she was proud of both of her seniors, Givens and Nikki Worthey, for the way they finished out their final home games.

“I’ve had both Abby and Nikki since eighth grade,” Hall said. “I was glad to see Abby go in and make a basket, and I asked Nikki if she wanted to finish out the game or come out and get an ovation (from the crowd), but she wanted to stay in and finish. I thought she finished strong.”

Worthey finished the game with three points and was slowed by foul trouble for most of the game.

ACCS played the top team in MAIS District 5-AA close early and trailed by only four points at the end of the first quarter. But Columbia turned up the defensive pressure and frustrated the Lady Rebels in the second quarter.

Columbia outscored the Lady Rebels 12-3 in the second quarter to take a 24-11 advantage into the break. The Lady Cougars kept up the pressure in the third quarter and led 37-20 going into the final quarter.

Columbia’s Anna Wilks led all scorers with 16 points. Skylar Adams and Ashleigh Williams each scored six points to lead the Lady Rebels.

The loss dropped ACCS to 3-3 in the district, but that is still good enough for the Lady Rebels to finish as the second seed.

“I’m not sure that we’ve used the same starting lineup for two straight games this season, and through all the juggling, these kids have stepped up,” Hall said. “They’ve battled and persevered and overcome. They get knocked down and get right back up. I could fill up a book with the things I could say about this team and how they’ve stayed together.”

ACCS will play in the first round of the South State Tournament either Monday or Tuesday.

ACCS boys lose to Columbia Academy

The Adams County Christian School boys team needed a victory Thursday night to finish third in MAIS District 5-AA.

But Columbia Academy had third place in its sights and defeated the Rebels on their home floor Thursday.

The loss dropped ACCS to fourth in the district, and their first-round opponent in the South State tournament will be determined Sunday.