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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It was a memorable moment during what was an otherwise challenging season for the LaGrange Academy Warriors where wins were hard to come by.

During a region-tournament game against the rival Flint River Academy Wildcats in February, senior Terence Broaden went off for 25 points as LaGrange Academy won a 64-63 thriller on its home court.

That was a high point in a frustrating season for Broaden, who missed a lot of time with injuries, but still managed to lead the team in scoring while earning a spot in the GISA all-state team.

“I hated that his senior year was so up-and-down with injuries,” said LaGrange Academy head coach Ken Klinger. “When he wasn’t injured, that potential really showed. That Flint River game sticks out in my mind. He led us to a victory against a team that won a state championship the year before.”

That was one of six games where

Broaden scored more than 20 points, and that included a pair of 25-point outbursts against Flint River.

Broaden was an exceptional all-around player who averaged 15.5 points, five rebounds, 2.5 steals, and two assists per game.

Not surprisingly, there were colleges interested in the 6-foot-1 guard, and Broaden has decided that Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. is the right fit.

Broaden has signed with Huntingdon College, and he made it official during a ceremony on Wednesday that included his parents, Betty and Terence.

Broaden also plans on joining the tennis team at Huntingdon.

Broaden said he appreciated “the love they showed” at Huntingdon.

“The coaches were always there for me,” Broaden added. “It felt like a great fit.”

Broaden attended LaGrange Academy for two school years after his family moved to Georgia from Alabama.

Ken Klinger, a graduate of Huntingdon College, arrived at LaGrange Academy at the same time as Broaden, and the two had a close relationship.

“He really is like another son to me,” Klinger said. “This means a lot, and it’s even more special when it’s your alma mater. I just know he’s going to do great. His potential hasn’t been reached because of all the injuries he’s had.”

Despite the injuries, Klinger said Broaden “still had the most points on the team, and he only played like half the teams. That was really incredible. The other teams knew they had to stop him, and he was still able to perform. Not just points, but assists, and rebounding. He did it all. He did an awesome job.”

Broaden said the chance to play basketball in college “means a lot.”

“I’ve been dreaming it since I was a little kid,” Broaden added. “I started playing when I was 4-years-old. I always looked up to players I watched on TV. And now that dream has become a reality.”

Broaden has also excelled in the class room, so Klinger figures he’s set up to succeed in all aspects of student life at Huntingdon.

“That’s the big thing with Terence his academics. He takes it just as seriously as basketball,” Klinger said. “So it’s family first, academics second, and athletics third. I’m real proud of him for that, too. I know he’s going to excel at Huntingdon.”