In a rematch of last year’s AISA Class 1A state title game, it was the same outcome, as the Ellwood Christian Academy Eagles defeated the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars 62-46 at home on Tuesday.

Steven Hendrieth, head coach of the Eagles (13-6, 5-0), said his team was ready for the rematch and for a chance to avenge a loss to the Cougars earlier in the season.

“We came out with a lot of intensity because we played them one time this year at Crenshaw … and we ended up losing by three, and of course this is a rematch of the state championship, so the guys were amped up to play the game and we performed really well,” Hendrieth said.

After trailing for the majority of the first three quarters, the Cougars took their first lead of the game midway through the third, but the Eagles fought back to take a 39-36 lead into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Eagles right from the start, as D.J. Edwards scored on a layup to push Ellwood ahead 41-36 with 7:48 left.

After Kachavious Blevins drained two free throws for Ellwood, the Eagles came right back down the court after a Cougars’ miss and Edwards hit another basket to make it a 45-36 game with 7:08 left to play.