District Championship Games Recap

Image and story from CommercialAppeal.com

Overton's Cortrice Golden shoots over Ridgeway's Odegua Oigbokie (34) and Ashley Jackson for two points as the Wolverines won the District 15-AAA title.

Fairley 52, BTW 43

No Erica Ousley. No problem.

Ousley, the former Fairley star, led the Bulldogs basketball team to last year's District 16-AA championship.

This year, however, the Lady Bulldogs relied on their potent defense to clinch their second consecutive district crown with a 52-43 victory Wednesday night against host Booker T. Washington.

Behind a harassing full- court press, Fairley (22-8) jumped to a 22-15 halftime advantage and never relinquished their lead.

Sophomore Erica Watkins came up with a crucial rebound in the game's final minute when the Lady Bulldogs were protecting a two- point lead. She earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Fairley junior Brandi James' 20 points led all scorers. Watkins finished with 15.

"I was expecting this," Watkins said. "(Winning the district title) this year was special. Just because we lost one person doesn't mean we couldn't come back and do it again this year. Losing a key player didn't hurt us much because we worked harder together as a team, from the coaches, to the guards, to the forwards, everyone."

For Washington (14-11), Wednesday's loss snapped an eight-game winning streak. Lady Warrior coach Derek Hunter labeled the setback difficult to stomach.

"We've been playing great," Hunter said. "We won eight straight, and then when you get a chance to host at home and we don't show up. There's no excuses for the way we played tonight. We were never out of the game. We just never picked it up."

Laquaris Harris' 13 points led Washington.

Both teams advance to Friday's first round of the Region 8-AA tournament. Fairley will host Kingsbury, and BTW will be at home against Northside.

Overton three-peats

Tournament Most Valuable Player Cornelia Fondren and Jasmine Stafford each scored 13 points as Overton (26-5) claimed the District 15-AAA title for the third year in a row, jumping on Ridgeway early before winning, 52-37, Wednesday night at Houston.

"We wanted to get a lot of help on (Ridgeway star Hasina) Muhammad," said Lady Wolverines coach Lynn Smith. "Defense spearheads everything we do. And we played a tough (pre-conference) schedule, with tournaments in Virginia and St. Louis. They're growing up right in front of our eyes."

Muhammad scored 16 to lead the Roadrunners (19-8), who trailed 20-6 after the first quarter and couldn't get anything going..

Warriors prevail

Nina Davis led Central (22-9) to a 59-48 win over White Station at Spartan Palace in the District 16-AAA title game. Davis, a sophomore, scored 18 points and was named tournament MVP. Junior Aaliyah Whiteside chipped in 16.

Jasmine Settles led the Spartans (26-5) with 19 points.

In the consolation game, Whitehaven (22-7), behind Jessica Howard's 15 points, defeated East (13-13), 49-46.

Bears edge Tigers

Tournament MVP Lillian Pittman's 17 points led Trezevant (16-7) to a 48-47 victory over Manassas (23-7) in the District 15-AA championship game at Northside High School. Victoria White had nine points for Manassas.