Photo By Teresa Penley Sheppard

MACON—The girls basketball team at St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, earned its second consecutive Class AAA state championship after defeating Buford High School 48-45 at the Macon Coliseum March 8.

St. Pius had to come from behind after being outscored in the first quarter 15-3. They climbed back into the game in the second quarter when they went on a 20-6 run with the help of three-point shooting from junior guards Asia Durr and Miah Allen.

St. Pius held a 23-21 lead at halftime and a 35-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

St. Pius maintained a lead throughout the fourth quarter, but Buford cut into it, as they got within two points (47-45) in the closing seconds. Senior guard Jasmine Carter sealed the deal for Pius when she converted one of her two free throws to extend the lead by another point. Buford was unable to get off a desperation 3-pointer with hopes of tying the game, and St. Pius went on to capture its fifth state title since 2004.

Durr led the team with 23 points and Carter scored 12. Allen and junior Obi Okafor added nine and four points, respectively.

St. Pius finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 30-3, which mirrors the 2012-13 season record. The team is led by fifth-year coach Kyle Snipes.