BTW boys knock off Mitchell for SCIAA Class A title

From Commercial Appeal

It's been a long time since the Mitchell boys basketball team has been runner-up in anything. But the Tigers were clearly second-best on Saturday.

Chauncey Blakely, the game's Most Outstanding Player, and Tyree Beason each scored 21 points as Booker T. Washington sent out a warning shot to the rest of the state, defeating the Tigers 65-50 in the SCIAA Class A county title game at Southwind.

Mitchell, the two-time defending state champ, hadn't lost against Class A competition since dropping down before the 2013-14 season. Included in that run of 64 games were lopsided wins over the Warriors in the previous two county championships.

But BTW, which has won 14 in a row, started on a 15-0 run and had an answer every time Mitchell looked like it would make something happen.

"They were very focused the last two years and we were very unfocused," said BTW coach Antonio Harris. "But we've been extremely focused all year.

"We've got three seniors who have played together since middle school and they just want to win every doggone game they can. Especially now that it's the postseason."

Mitchell close to 46-41 early in the fourth. But the Tigers rushed several shots and missed some big free throws while BTW kept its poise and closed it out.

"I was impressed with our leadership, our execution and our attention to detail on defense," said Harris, a former BTW star.

"The great teams police themselves, but I still have to say things to get them back in formation. I want them to make me sit down."

Tyran Davis and Ladarius Lee each had 19 points to lead the Tigers. Davis missed six free throws, though, including the front end of two one-and-ones.

The same two teams met in the girls title game, with Mitchell holding off a late charge to win, 83-75.

Anterrika Willis scored 24 for the Tigers and Derenisha Taylor added 22. Derrinesha Jackson paced the Warriors with 19 and Asia Mosley chipped in with 18.

Another giant fell in the AAA boys game as Germantown held off East, 71-70.

The Mustangs, who trailed by 21 early in the fourth, trailed by just one after a Takorian Smith 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left. Darrell Brown, who led the Red Devils with 27 points, missed two free throws, but Nick Merriweather's jumper at the buzzer was short.

"They're so relentless and we didn't turn it over a lot," said Germantown coach Jason James. "Our guards played well."

Radarious Washington scored 23 to lead East, which lost for just the second time this year.

Central took control early and breezed to the girls AAA crown, 91-36.

Jasmine Carson scored 26 to lead the Warriors (28-1). Brianna Cooks came off the bench to score 24. Elizabeth Dixon led the Roadrunners with 16.

In AA, Craigmont won the girls title for the third straight year, 83-57 over Douglass. Keveona Fayne scored 14 points and hit four straight 3-pointers early in the third quarter to break open a three-point game.

"She had been in a little slump and she was a little timid early in the game," said Chiefs coach Tim Anderson. "We really needed that third scorer today."

Danielle Conley scored 22 and Daja Scurlock 10 for Craigmont to offset 32 points from Douglass senior standout Gazmyne Herndon.

Sheffield got 17 points from Mario Williams and held Manassas scoreless for the first six minutes of the third quarter to win going away 67-45.

Adell Mooney added 13 for Sheffield, which outscored the Tigers 22-10 from the line.