Pictured, in front, from left, are: Cierra Lynn, Riley Pascoe and Chloe Edwards. In the middle are: Natalie Wadin, Becca Wilkins and Haylie Ryan. In back are: Coach Willink, Addison Moore, Addison McCrae, Ava Willink, Ashlyn Smith and Coach Pascoe. Submitted photo

The Chautauqua Christian Academy Defenders ended their season in grand fashion this past weekend.

The Defenders played in the National Christian School Tournament in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where 104 boys and girls teams competed.

Chautauqua Christian Academy was placed in a division of 10 teams and won all three games for the Division 5 national title.

In the three victories, CCA defeated Calvary Temple from Virginia 48-18, The Rochester Rapids 37-30 and beat Mountain View Christian Academy from Maryland 53-46 in the championship game.

Fourth-year coach Joe Pascoe has a very aggressive team that used its pressure defense in each of the games to confound its opponents.

Senior Ashlyn Smith and freshman Ava Willink were strong on the boards averaging nine and eight rebounds per game, respectively.

Junior Becca Wilkins was the emotional leader for the defense with her very intense and aggressive style.

In the second game, when the Defenders were struggling to score, sophomore Haylie Ryan made three 3-pointers in just a matter of minutes.

Junior Cierra Lynn is a classic point guard. She is not only a key leader off the court, but on the court she completely controlled the games and set the tone for the offense which was led by junior Riley Pascoe.

Pascoe was a top tournament scorer averaging 19 points per game and in the championship game, she saved her best for last. She poured in a school-record 32 points, including five 3-pointers. Earlier in the season, Pascoe made seven 3-pointers to tie a school single-game record.

Smith, Lynn and Pascoe were selected to the all-tournament team. When speaking with Coach Pascoe, he could not find enough great things to say about this team, crediting all 10 players with key contributions including senior Natalie Wadin.

“They have worked so hard this year,” he said. “It’s been a great season and I couldn’t be happier than to see them get the championship.”