Adams County Christian School’s best players rose to the occasion when their team needed them the most.

Brianna Henson and Bailey Boyd combined to score the final nine points to help the Lady Rebels hang on for a 51-40 win over rival Cathedral High School Tuesday.

“The team calmed down, and we went back to doing what we do together,” ACCS coach Melanie Hall said of her team’s play in the final minutes. “There’s no doubt in my mind that my team is able take care of any situation. If we just do what we do, and take care of (the basketball), we’re going to be OK. I’m very proud of my team tonight … Win or lose, to God be the glory.”

ACCS (14-2, 5-0) appeared well on its way to running away with this one leading 33-11 at halftime.

Cathedral (12-3, 2-3), however managed to trim the deficit to 10 heading to the final quarter, and eventually cut ACCS’ lead to two with 90 seconds remaining, 42-40.

“It was too little to late,” Cathedral coach Peter Arnold said. “It looked almost hopeless at halftime. We got off to a good start in the third quarter, and we just started plugging away.”

ACCS jumped out to its large lead with a 20-3 second quarter. Cathedral’s lone score of the period came on a 3-pointer from Natalie Fletcher at the 1:30 mark.

“The first half was beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Hall said. “It was a great half of team basketball. I knew Cathedral wasn’t going to lie down; it’s not in them. But I’m proud of my kids, because for a quarter and a half, we didn’t play well. But the last half of the fourth quarter, we were back.”

Henson ended with 21 points, while Boyd had 18 and four assists, including an electrifying assist that brought the ACCS faithful to their feet in the final minutes.

“To see them step up tonight like they did, that’s beautiful,” Hall said. “I’m proud of them. It was a great team win.”

Elizabeth Smith and Grayson Bryant led Cathedral with 12 points each, and the inside duo combined to score 22 of their 24 points in the final two periods. Fletcher chipped in with 10 points, including three 3-pointers.

“At halftime, we made some adjustments,” Arnold said. “Grayson did a good job at the high post of either scoring or kicking it down inside (to Smith). We kept believing. To be only down 42-40 with a 1:30 to go says a lot about our character. We’re not going to stop playing, we’re not going to stop fighting.”

ACCS will attempt to keep the momentum going Thursday when it travels to face in-city rival Trinity Episcopal.

Cathedral, meanwhile, will attempt to get back on the winning track Friday at Centreville Academy.

“We believe in ourselves, and we know we are capable of being a very good team,” Arnold said.