Memphis Central girls win MIAA Class AAA title

Trailing Overton by double digits at halftime of their MIAA Class AAA city-title game Thursday night at Wooddale, Central girls basketball coach Niki Bray gave her Lady Warriors an ultimatum.

"Take off your jerseys now or decide to play," said Bray, whose nationally ranked club elected to do the latter against an Overton squad that had won 23 straight contests.

Rallying from a 12-point first-half hole, Central earned its second straight MIAA city title with a 70-66 overtime win over Overton, which was attempting to avenge a 65-59 loss to Central in last year's Class AAA city-title game.


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Central (70) -- Danielle Ballard 16, Darianne Butler 3, Alex Butler 2, Michella Carter 2, Nina Davis 18, Malaika Moore 2, Jalen O'Bannon 5, Monia Sanders 2, Aaliyah Whiteside 20.

Overton (66) -- Lakeria Crowder 2, Cornelia Fondren 12, Cortrice Golden 10, Jackeya Mitchell 6, Jasmine Robinson 23, Jasmine Stafford 2, Karisma Tyson 2, Arkela Ware 9.

Central / 15 / 4 / 19 / 23 / 9 / -- / 70 /

Overton / 14 / 17 / 15 / 15 / 5 / -- / 66 /