by Chris Hunt

It’s safe to say that first-year coach Terri Batts has turned around the once-struggling SouthLake Christian Academy girls basketball team. SouthLake’s season ended abruptly in the second round of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A playoffs on Feb. 24 at Asheville Christian Academy, but the Eagles (22-8) can walk away with smiles after stockpiling more victories than any previous team since the school joined the NCISAA in 2007.

The Eagles qualified for the state playoffs as the No. 12 seed with a second-place finish in the Metrolina Athletic Conference and upset fifth-seeded Fayetteville Academy in the first round, 63-43. The Eagles, however, couldn’t get past Cary Christian School, losing in the second round, 77-43.