Adams County Christian School didn’t need anything out of the ordinary Tuesday night — at times the Lady Rebels didn’t even have to talk.

Holding on for a 39-31 victory over Cathedral, ACCS notched the MAIS District 5-AAA Championship after suffocating the Lady Wave defensively in the first half.

The game plan, Lady Rebels coach Melanie Hall said, was perfectly executed.

“The girls really stepped it up defensively,” she said. “We talked about it and they did what they had to do. (Cathedral) didn’t get a lot of wide-open shots. Just about every shot they took was contested.”

Any open look the Lady Wave did get fell unluckily off the rim or backboard as ACCS tag-teamed coverage of Cathedral standout Caroline Kaiser.

“She has been leading us the whole year, and when we go through these periods when it’s hard on her we have a hard time scoring,” Cathedral coach Peter Arnold said. “How many close shots can you miss? We miss so many easy ones.”

On the other hand, ACCS (14-6, 6-0) had no problem screening for an open layup and finding easy shots under the rim. They led at halftime, 23-12.

Brianna Henson led the Lady Rebels with a game-high 20 points. Danyel Weir added another seven, while Caitlyn Gamberi and Lexie Emanuel each had five.

“We did what we had to do,” Hall said. “The first half was real good, even though our decision making could have been better at times. Overall I’m proud of the girls.”

The Lady Rebels kept control for the majority of the second half until Cathedral began to make a comeback trailing by 10 with just more than six minutes remaining.

The Lady Wave was able to force a few steals and come within two points, 33-31, yet couldn’t connect for the remainder of the game.

Kaiser led the efforts for Cathedral (21-7, 4-2) with 14 points. Baylee Graning followed with seven of high own.

“I’m proud of the fight,” Arnold said. “We don’t ever quit. It was just a matter of us seeing the ball go through the net a few times. We just couldn’t get over the mountain.”

Going into next week’s South State Tournament, the Lady Rebels will be the No. 1 seed from District 5 and will receive a first-round bye. They will play the No. 4 seed from District 3 or 4 on either Wednesday or Thursday.

“It’s good to see their hard work pay off,” Hall said. “Going in as the No. 1 seed, you could not ask for a better situation coming out of district play. To be rewarded with that — I’m really thankful … to God be the Glory.”

Cathedral will enter South State as the No. 2 seed, set to play the No. 3 seed from District 4 on Monday or Tuesday.

“This was two teams that wanted to win, and it hurts,” Hall said. “Our path was pretty much determined already, but I told them overall we are fine. These were just two games out of 30 regular-season games.”

ACCS (boys) 72, Cathedral 47

After leading by just four points at halftime, ACCS exploded in the second half to defeat cross-town and district rival Cathedral Tuesday night, 72-47.

Three players ended in double digits for the Rebels as they claimed the MAIS District 5-AAA Championship.

“This was one of our goals,” ACCS coach Richy Spears said. “In the second half we got back to what we normally do.”

Josh Day led the way for ACCS, scoring 25 points while Julian Wilson followed close behind with 20 of his own. Wes Stockstill added another 10 points for the Rebels.

Cathedral’s attack was clicking in the first half, and coach Matthew Hall said he is pleased with how his team is developing. However, the speed of the Rebels was just too much.

Ty Tobias scored 23 points to lead the Green Wave, while J.T. Taylor added another 13.

“We played really well in the first half,” he said. “Credit to Richy because he has got them playing a lot better than when I saw them earlier this season. They know what he wants from them. We just don’t have the speed to match up. It’s just different.”

Cathedral (11-16, 4-2) will enter the South State Tournament as the No. 2 seed from District 5. The Green Wave will play the No. 3 seed from District 4 on Tuesday or Wednesday, and Hall said he is happy with the current standings.

“We won one district game last season,” he said. “We are definitely on the upward trend for next week.”

Spears is pleased, too. The Rebels (13-5, 6-0) will be seeded No. 1 and play the No. 4 seed From District 4 on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“The season is just starting,” Spears said. “We have had more time to practice, and we have gotten more confident with each other. We just have to keep playing and staying in it.”

Adams County Christian School will host next week’s South State Tournament.