Central at Melrose Report

Central at Melrose January 6, 2009

OMG!! Once you walked into the gym you could feel the intensity and anticipation of this Dandy Dozen matchup. Central recently named the number 1 team in the State and ofcourse City of Memphis. Melrose fighting to earn respect in the Dandy Dozen standings and hoping to be the first Memphis squad to knock Central out of the number 1 spot. It was a great feeling to walk into an atmosphere like this for a Memphis high school girls basketball game. The Melrose band was in the house and the crowd was coming in to get a peek at this matchup. Check out the video.



This was the most exciting game to watch thus far. Central had first possession of the game. Jamila Ajanaku grabbed the first rebound and 2 points on the stick back. Erica Burgess got the quick steal on the inbounds and layup in the first 30 seconds of the game. Time out Melrose. After the timeout, Melrose's Teneisha Lurry hit her signature 3. April Hall steals the inbound pass and lays up the ball. For the next 30seconds of game. As a matter of fact, Melrose didn't stop there. Teneisha Lurry hit another 3, plus 2 pointer, LaWanda Clayborne scored and Kyeshia Vinson scored to put Melrose up 14-4. However, the veteren squad Central did not panic. Seniors Jamila, Erica and Jasmine Taylor put the team on their back. Erica added 4 more points. Jasmine contributed 8. And Jamila cleaned the boards with 5 first quarter rebounds to bring Central within 2 at the end of the first quarter. 22-20

MTSU Signee, Jamila Ajanaku (20)













Central gave Melrose problems in the second quarter forcing them to make 5 turnovers. Central took advantage and took the lead with a 3 pointer from freshman, Danielle Ballard 29-26. Melrose burnt time off the clock by stalling and escaped the second quarter only down by 3 after a half court shot also by Danielle at the buzzer. 33-30 Central.


Diaper Dandy, Danielle Ballard













The momemtum was all Central in the third quarter. Danielle Ballard was on fire hitting 17 points including 5 three point baskets. Melrose dug themselves into a hole committing another 5 turnovers and Central blew it open 69-41.

Fourth quarter belonged to Melrose's Lawanda Clayborne hitting 20 points. But it was just a little too late. Final score Central 83 Melrose 66.

Top Scorers:
Central
Danielle Ballard 26 points
Jasmine Taylor 20 points 3 steals
Jamila Ajanaku 14 points 8 rebounds
Erica Burgess 10 points 4 steals
Aaliyah Whiteside 9 points

Melrose
Lawanda Clayborne 32 points 3 rebounds
Teneisha Lurry 19 points 3 steals 3 rebounds
Kyeshia Vinson 8 points 6 rebounds 3 blocks 3 steals