BTW wins 2 straight City Championship

from Commercial Appeal

Booker T. Washington girls basketball coach Derek Hunter discovered some newfound unity in his team Thursday, a quality he hopes he could help lead his Lady Warriors all the way to Murfreesboro and a spot in the Class AA tournament.

Moments after Washington edged Mitchell, 50-49, at White Station High to claim its second consecutive MIAA City Championship and Hunter's ninth overall, Lady Warrior senior forward Daria Hester was named the game's Most Outstanding Player following her 18-point performance. However, since senior forward Monique Ingram did what Hunter called the "little things" against the Lady Tigers (13-9), Hester felt it was necessary that she give Ingram the MOP plaque. Ingram scored 11 points, including some key free throws late in the game, and came up with a number of key steals and crucial rebounds.

"I think that's how you can win a state championship," Hunter said of Hester's selfless deed. "When you have kids who loved each other like that, there's no telling how far you can go."

Senior forward Jessica Brown added 16 points for Washington, ranked No. 12 in the Dandy Dozen. Mitchell was led by Teneir Mathis' 15 points.