TSSAA and MHSAA Girls State Basketball Preview

 from Commercial Appeal


TSSAA GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Previewing the Memphis area teams who will be participating in the TSSAA Division 1 girls state basketball tournament this week at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.

Matchup: Central (25-5) vs. Knoxville Bearden (24-8)
When: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. Live Stats
What to watch for: The Lady Warriors, who are making their fifth straight trip to state, will go as far as Nina Davis can take them. The senior — who was the state tournament Most Valuable Player when Central won the AAA crown in 2011 — has had a tremendous final season, averaging nearly 29 points and 11.2 rebounds during the regular season. The Baylor signee will get ample support from junior Tia Wooten (16 ppg.) and junior Meme Hill, whose ability to bring the ball upcourt against pressure will be a big key. Bearden, which is playing in the state tournament for the first time since 1981, got 30 points from Erin Walsh in its sectional victory over Tennessee High.

Matchup: Overton (31-6) vs. Antioch (26-6)
When: Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. Live Stats
What to watch for: There were times this year when it looked like less than a foregone conclusion but Overton is where it’s been every March for the last five seasons, in the AAA state quarterfinals. Rodrea Echols, one of several Wolverine freshmen who see considerable playing time, scored 14 points in the 74-52 sectional victory over Jackson North Side. Georgetown-bound senior Kelsey Briggs was the team’s leading scorer during the regular season while juniors Philecia Atkins and Amber Holmes form a formidable backcourt. Antioch beat Hendersonville Beech, 55-50, to advance to state.

Matchup: Covington (34-2) vs. Macon County (28-4)
When: Thursday, 4 p.m. Live Stats
What to watch for: The Lady Chargers, who defeated Trezevant in the sectionals, will be one of the favorites to take the gold ball in Class AA. Covington enters the tournament on a 21-game winning streak, having not lost since falling to Sparkman-Ala. on Dec. 21. Senior Ashia Jones leads the team in scoring at 18.4 points per game and she gets plenty of good support from juniors Precious Harvey (11.5, 3.4 assists) and Precious Dyson (11.3). Covington is a deep, versatile team that likes play at a quick pace. Macon County, meanwhile, has won six in a row, including a 62-48 victory over Creek Wood in the sectionals.

MHSAA GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Previewing the area teams who will be participating in the MHSAA Class 6A girls state basketball tournament this week at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

Matchup: Horn Lake (26-2) vs. Forest Hill (27-3)
When: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
What to watch for: The Lady Eagles are already heading back to the Big House with one more victory than last season. Now, it’s just a matter of getting one back from the Lady Patriots, who eliminated them in the 2012 semifinals, 58-46. Coached by Tangela Banks, Forest Hill, out of Jackson, won’t have to travel very far for a shot at defending its state championship. Essence Pulliam and Claresa Banks, who combined to score 36 points in last year’s victory over Horn Lake, return to anchor the Lady Patriot senior class. Both of the Lady Eagles’ losses have come to Southaven. The squad coached by Janna Lyons has sights on Saturday’s title game.

Matchup: Southaven (26-5) vs. Harrison Central (25-6)
When: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
What to watch for: The Lady Chargers have a nice assortment of NCAA Division 1 signees: Aliyah Miller (Providence), Jasmine Joyner (UT-Chattanooga) and Joanna Smith (Buffalo), but it’s the contributions of star juniors — A’Queen Hayes and Olivia Cunningham — that are likely going to be the difference. The starting five must play together to erase the memory of last year’s 60-57 state semifinal loss to Hattiesburg. Coached by Nancy Ladner, the Gulfport-based Red Rebelettes have won 13 state championships in their school’s history.