Northpoint Girls win First State Championship

image and article from Commercial Appeal

NASHVILLE - Barry Gray's prayers were answered Saturday.

"My prayer for them today was to have calmness and determination," he said. "Just those two things."

The Northpoint girls had plenty of both at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena as they played confidently from start to finish while dismantling Knoxville Webb, 63-42, in the TSSAA Division 2-A state championship game.

It's the first title in school history for the Lady Trojans, who finish the year with a stellar 31-2 record. Webb had won the previous two championships, including a victory over Northpoint in the final in 2014.

"Unreal," said Lauren Gross.

"Amazing," said Ashtyn Baker.

It was both of those and then some.

Making its fourth straight appearance in the final four, Northpoint played like a team that had something to prove. The Trojans dominated from the opening whistle and never trailed.

Northpoint shot 60 percent from the floor in the first half and led 33-18 at the break.
"Very efficient shooting," said Gray. "I told them if we could take control on the offensive end ... that we could control our own destiny."

And just to make sure the Spartans didn't even think about getting back into the game, Northpoint opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run to build a 26-point advantage. Baker highlighted that burst with a pair of spectacular driving layups.

The 5-6 junior — who will be one of the three finalists when the Miss Basketball awards are handed out Tuesday in Murfreesboro — was named tournament MVP after 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
"I wouldn't be where I am without these three girls," said Baker.

She was referring to Jade Wells, Lauren Gross and Lindsey Whiteside, who joined her on the all-tournament team. Wells was a huge presence in the paint, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Gross knocked down a pair of long 3-pointers while finishing with 10 points.

But the Trojans wouldn't have made it over the finish line without Whiteside, who scored 13 points but made her biggest contribution on defense as she locked down Webb's Miss Basketball finalist, Micah Scheetz.
Scheetz managed just four points on 2-of-12 shooting before fouling out on a questionable charge call midway though the fourth.

"She's a great player, but I just focused," said Whiteside, who will be returning next season along with Baker, Gross, Wells and the other starter, Hannah Shafer.

"I knew this team would be special in the summer," said Gray. "We played everybody; we played teams from four different states and we only lost one game.

"The players just understand how to get the most out of each other perfectly. The pieces just fit so well together."

Box Score

Northpoint (63) — Ashtyn Baker 22, Lauren Gross 10, Hannah Shafer 2, Jade Wells 16, Lindsey Whiteside 13.
Knoxville Webb (42) — Casey Collier 4, Kayleight Hames 11, Haylee Luttrell 8, Reagan Munday 1, Every Satterfield 9, Micah Scheetz 4, Kinley Green 5.
Northpoint 16 17 14 16—63
Knoxville Webb 9 9 10 14—42
Records — Northpoint 31-2.

2016 Class AAA State Girls Basketball Tournament Bracket

Stay updated on all State tournament games here

Northpoint girls advance to state basketball title game

Image and article from Commercial Appeal

The faster the pace of the game, the better Ashtyn Baker likes it. And she and her Northpoint teammates were thriving Thursday.

The Trojans advanced to their second Division 2-A state championship game in three years, withstanding a 3-point shooting barrage from Franklin Road Academy to win, 57-50, at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena.

In Saturday's 1 p.m. final, the Trojans will face Knoxville Webb, which has won the last two state championships and beat the Trojans in the 2014 final. The Spartans ousted Ezell-Harding 48-39 in the other semifinal.

"I love to run and I have teammates that love to run," said Baker, a Miss Basketball finalist. "I love a fast-paced game."

Baker finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists and shouldered most of the ball-handling load for the Trojans, who kept their poise against a Panthers team that ran at every opportunity while hoisting 20 3-point attempts.

Even more impressive was the fact that they did it with all five starters going the full 32 minutes.

"That wasn't by design," said Trojans coach Barry Gray. "We really only go six-deep and we had our senior, Lindsay Bramlitt, ready to go. But Hannah (Shafer) stayed out of foul trouble and we rolled (the dice) with Jade (Wells) after she picked up her fourth foul."

Gray said his players frequently practice against boys from the school's junior varsity, which helps keep their conditioning high.

"We've been prepared to play at this level," said Lindsey Whiteside, who added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Northpoint led 50-48 with about a minute to go when Baker came up with a clutch basket inside that gave her team a four-point cushion. FRA made a pair of free throws before Baker and Whiteside combined to go 5 of 6 from the line in the final seconds to wrap it up.


Wells finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds; Lauren Gross chipped in with nine points. Riley Casey had 17 to lead FRA, which shot just 38 percent for the game (7 of 20 from beyond the arc) and was out-rebounded 35-27.

"It was a fun game to watch but not a fun game to coach," said Gray. "It was two really good teams that played hard and I think there were times in the game when each team forced its will on the other.

"It was one of those games where you hate to see one team lose."

There's still one more game to go though as Northpoint bids to win its first state championship. This year marks the Trojans' fourth straight trip to the final four and while, admittedly, in the past they've just been happy to make it, the goal is a lot higher this time.

"We're not on a cruise ship," said Baker. "We're on a battleship."

BOX SCORE

Franklin Road Aca. (50) - Riley Casey 17, Taylor Casey 9, Jessica Heldman 9, Alison McKinney 3, Lily Pierce 5, Catera Sawyers 7.
Northpoint (57) - Ashtyn Baker 19, Lauren Gross 9, Hannah Shafer 3, Jade Wells 12, Lindsey Whiteside 14.
Franklin Rd. Aca. 18 7 14 11-50
Northpoint 16 7 16 18-57

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Jalen O'Bannon (Central) First-Team All-OVC, OVC All-Newcomer Team

Article from the Richmond Register

The Colonels have rebounded nicely from last year’s disappointing 9-17 season that saw them go 4-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference and not make the postseason tournament.

EKU heads into today’s OVC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville as the No. 4 seed, with a 16-11 record overall, and 10-6 in conference play.

One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround this year has been the outstanding play of junior Jalen O’Bannon.

In her first season at the school, the 6-foot-1 transfer from Arkansas State has been the most consistent player for coach Chrissy Roberts’ squad all season.

O’Bannon leads EKU in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.4 points (fourth in the OVC) and 10 rebounds (first in the OVC) per game.

She has scored in double figures 22 times and pulled down double-digit rebounds in 15 of EKU’s 27 games
Those 15 double-doubles, earned her the OVC Newcomer of the Week award a league-record tying nine times.

On Tuesday, O’Bannon was named First-Team All-OVC and was also selected to the OVC All-Newcomer Team.

O’Bannon’s road to Richmond came through her friendship with former Colonel Jasmine Stafford.
The two have been friends since their playing days in high school in Memphis.

After finding out O’Bannon was wanting to transfer from Arkansas State, Stafford mentioned it to Roberts and her staff.

They liked what they saw and invited O’Bannon to come check out EKU.

That one visit, O’Bannon said, was all it took.

“Jasmine and I have been friends for a long time. When she told me Coach Roberts was interested, I was excited,” O’Bannon said. “When I came to visit, I fell in love with EKU. I liked the coaches and the style of play and I felt really comfortable on campus. I knew this is where I wanted to play.”

O’Bannon, who had to redshirt and sit out last season after transferring, said it was difficult not playing, especially with the Colonels losing a lot of games.

“It was very hard sitting on the bench last year watching while the team was struggling and knowing I could have helped if I could get out there,” she said. “But I think the season off really helped me. I got stronger and I got to learn coach Roberts’ system better. And that’s helped me to be a better player this year. But it was really hard not playing last season.”

Last year, some internal strife lead to a lot of problems on the court for the Colonels.

Roberts addressed those issues after the season, and O’Bannon said the difference in team chemistry is a big reason for the improvement in the team this year.

“Last year, it’s no secret, we had some internal problems. Those were addressed and this year’s team is really close-knit,” O’Bannon said. “We love each other and love playing together. We are like a big family. Nobody cares about their numbers, we all want to see the team do well.”

O’Bannon, Michaela Hunter and Polly Murray are all averaging in double figures on the season, but in many other games, someone else stepped up and has big scoring games.

O’Bannon said this is the most unselfish team she’s ever played on.

“We are all just having so much fun out there. Nobody cares who scores. Whoever is hot, we’re all happy for them. All we want to do is win,” O’Bannon said. “As long as we look out for each other and play together, we know we play so much better. We know we need everybody on the team, so we’re always happy to see someone have a big game.”

O’Bannon averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds as a freshman at Arkansas State.

She improved that to 10.4 points and 6.6 rebounds her sophomore season.

O’Bannon said her mother always tells her she won’t be the player she wants to be if she doesn’t set high goals for herself.

Heading into this season, O’Bannon said she wanted to average 12 points and get eight rebounds per game, but realized soon, she needed to aim even higher.

“I wanted to get 12 (points) and seven (rebounds) when the season started,” she said. “But after I saw I could do that, about mid-season, I raised my goal to be 15 (points) and 10 (rebounds).”

She not only reached those goals before the regular season’s end, but surpassed her point total.

O’Bannon has been a scoring force on the inside for the Colonels all season, but it’s her league-leading rebounding prowess that’s she’s most pleased with.

“I love to rebound. Rebounding is all about effort. You’ve got to want the ball more than everybody else and work harder to get it than everybody else,” O’Bannon said. “I feel like every time a ball comes off the board, it’s mine. I want it, so I have to go get it.”

But O’Bannon is far from a one-dimensional player.

She has the speed and ball-handling skills to be a scoring threat on the perimeter and can guard multiple positions on defense as well, which makes her much harder for opponents to handle on both ends of the floor.

On many occasions this year, O’Bannon has grabbed rebounds and led the EKU fast break by bringing the ball up the floor herself.

“I’m really a point guard, just with a post player’s body,” O’Bannon joked. “We are always looking to push the ball, so when I can get the fast break started, it helps to get us some easy baskets. But it does make coach Roberts nervous sometimes.”

Despite having an outstanding season thus far, O’Bannon said she not satisfied and thinks the Colonels aren’t done yet.

“I think we can go to Nashville and make some noise,” she said. “We feel like we can beat anybody in the tournament and we think we can still win it.”

She also already has some lofty goals for herself and the team next year as well.

“I want be the OVC Player of the Year. I want to win the regular-season championship, win the OVC Tournament and go to the Big Dance. And ultimately, I want to go on and play professional basketball,” O’Bannon said. “I know those are some big goals. But I think if I can stay faithful, stay dedicated in school and work harder than I’ve ever worked. We can do it all.”

Previewing the Division 2 State Basketball tournament

From the Commercial Appeal

 
Here is a look at the local teams competing at this week's Division 2 state basketball tournament at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville.

THURSDAY'S GAMES
Team: Harding
Record: 20-11
Coach: Kevin Starks (12th season)
Last state championship: 2009
Semifinal opponent: Knoxville Webb at 11:30 a.m.
Probable starters: Calvin Austin III (5-8 junior); Larry Crum (6-2 senior); Bryant Lee (6-3 junior); Tim Taylor (6-1 senior); Anthony Yarbrough (6-5 senior)
What to expect: The Lions and Webb meet in an elimination game for the fourth consecutive season so the atmosphere from both sets of fans should be highly-charged. Yarbrough is the kind of player who can get on a roll and single-handedly carry a team, if needed. Austin's speed will also make a difference but the x-factor could be Crum, who made four of Harding's 11 3-pointers in Saturday's quarterfinal victory over University School of Nashville. Yarbrough also had four in that one, and if the Lions are connecting from deep, watch out.

Team: Northpoint
Record: 29-2
Coach: Barry Gray (fourth season)
Last state championship: none
Semifinal opponent: Franklin Road Academy at 1:15 p.m.
Probable starters: Ashtyn Baker (5-8 junior); Lauren Gross (5-9 sophomore); Hannah Shafer (5-10 junior); Jade Wells (5-11 sophomore); Lindsay Whiteside (5-11 junior)
What to expect: Gray says this one will be like an NBA game, with both teams getting up and down the court at any opportunity. FRA likes to shoot 3s -- Gray says they'll attempt nine or ten per quarter -- but they have enough athletes to drive to the hole as well if the defense gets stretched too far. Much will be riding on the shoulders of point guard Baker; the Miss Basketball finalist is playing in her fourth straight final four and will shoulder plenty of the scoring and most of the ball-handling duties in what should be an intense contest.

Team: Lausanne
Record: 18-10
Coach: Marvis Davis (first season)
Last state championship: 2013
Semifinal opponent: Franklin Road Academy at 2:45 p.m.
Probable starters: James Babb (6-5 junior); Michael Manning (6-8 senior); Jesse Neloms (5-9 junior); Isaiah Stokes (6-8 junior); Rayshad Williams (6-2 sophomore)
What to expect: The battle-tested Lynx are finishing strong after opening the season with some very tough games against national-level competition. The talented Stokes will need to come up big while Neloms -- who has improved by leaps and bounds this season -- will need to have a solid floor game. It will be interesting to see who draws the primary defensive assignment against Franklin Road's Mr. Basketball finalist Kenny Cooper, who will be playing on his future home floor at Lipscomb this weekend.

FRIDAY'S GAMES
Team: St. Benedict
Record: 22-6
Coach: Caleb Marcum (second season)
Last state championship: none
Semifinal opponent: Chattanooga Baylor at 10 a.m.
Probable starters: Taylor Barnes (5-8 senior); Nicole Ferris (6-0 senior); Myah LeFlore (6-0 junior); Courtney Parker (5-10 senior); Nicole Ungaro (5-11 senior)
What to expect: The Eagles -- who have won 10 of their last 12 -- did well to avoid a match-up with a strong Brentwood Academy team in the semifinals. Baylor should be a kinder draw for a team playing at state for the first time in five years, but St. Benedict will still have to play a great game. University of Memphis signee Barnes will be the key against Baylor's pressure and if the Eagles' bigs can control the glass, they have a great chance to advance.

Team: CBHS
Record: 28-1
Coach: Bubba Luckett (26th season)
Last state championship: 1987
Semifinal opponent: Nashville Ensworth at 2:45 p.m.
Probable starters: William Douglas (6-3 junior); Justin Linder (6-0 senior); Jacob Lyons (6-6 junior); Ben Spence (6-6 junior); Undra Wilson (5-9 senior)
What to expect: The Brothers aren't going to beat themselves -- and certainly not two years in a row. They were in good shape against Brentwood Academy in last year's championship game before uncharacteristically unraveling down the stretch. CBHS is disciplined and smart and shares the ball extremely well. This year's Ensworth team isn't as good as previous squads and it would be a big surprise if we didn't see another CBHS-Brentwood final on Saturday.

Girls Basketball Scores March 2, 2016

From Commercial Appeal

 
REGION 7-AAA TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Dyer Co. (70) — Olivia Crane 25, Tori Daniels 8, Hailey Hicks 15, Kaylee Luckett 3, Courtney Maupin 2, Amanda Pugh 1, Amber Thompson 16.
Bartlett (51) — Karagan Coggin 2, Stella Gill 6, Jessica Jackson 17, Ashley Payne 9, Charity Savage 9, Nyla Smith 2, Dee Dee Williams 6.
Dyer Co. 8 17 21 24—70
Bartlett 5 20 14 12—51
Records — Dyer Co. 26-5, Bartlett 16-13.

REGION 8-AAA TOURNAMENT
CHAMIPIONSHIP
Central (54) — Miyah Barnes 14, Jasmine Carson 10, Brianna Cooks 4, Tijuana Griggs 8, Kynadi Kuykendoll 7, Jireh Washington 11.
Overton (40) — Rodrea Echols 16, Marquesha Fennell 3, Kyla Green 9, Ciera Pettis 8, Kayla Williams 4.
Central 14 9 10 21—54
Overton 4 14 8 14—40
Records — Central 33-2.

REGION 8-AA TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Covington (38) — Tia Bland 15, Kiara Booker 8, Malia Johnson 2, Treasuary Poindexter 13.
Haywood (52) — Laquita Calloway 4, Rashadda Dancy 3, Jamirah Shutes 26, Madison Smith 10, Timia Tharpe 5, Wandarkyu Young 4.
Covington 17 13 3 5—38
Haywood 10 12 13 17—52

Alicia Payne (White Station) 2nd SoCon Defensive Player of the Year Honor, Jasmine Joyner (Southaven) First Team All-Conference

Read entire Chattanooga Womens basketball story

Girls Basketball Scores February 29, 2016

From Commercial Appeal


REGION 7-AAA TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINALS
Dyer Co. (67) — Olivia Crane 17, Tori Daniels 7, Hailey Hicks 15, Kaylee Luckett 2, Amanda Pugh 4, Amber Thompson 22.
Arlington (66) — Raegyn Branch 13, Nakia Grandberry 2, Taylor Lattimore 6, Ashley Lee 9, Callie McMorran 16, Tori Sewell 19, Caitlyn Wilson 1.
Dyer Co. 12 6 22 14 5 8— 67
Arlington 14 12 12 16 5 7— 66
Records — Dyer Co. 25-5, Arlington 25-8.

Bartlett (45) — Jessica Jackson 11, Ashley Payne 5, Charity Savage 17, Nyla Smith 5, Dee Dee Williams 7.
Munford (43) — Gabby Crawford 6, Shania Johnson 10, Johnna Jones 17, Deja Potter 10.
Bartlett 14 9 9 13—45
Munford 12 7 12 12—43

REGION 8-AAA TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINALS
Central (64) — Miyah Barnes 18, Jasmine Carson 9, Brianna Cooks 2, Tijuana Griggs 8, Kynadi Kuykendoll 2, Johné Stewart 6, Jireh Washington 19.
Houston (47) — Madison Griggs 13, Jayla Hemingway 12, Rochelle Lee 2, Sydney Malone 2, Jaida Roper 18.
Central 21 16 12 15—64
Houston 9 10 12 16—47
Records — Central 32-2, Houston 27-3.

White Station (47) — Allanna Black 3, Kayla Bradley 2, Damiah Griffin 7, Kyla Harris 1, Tamia Jones 6, Dejah Montgomery 3, Brittni Moore 7, Taylor Williams 18.
Overton (66) — Kiante Butts 2, Rodrea Echols 10, Marquesha Fennell 9, Kyla Green 12, Ciera Pettis 14, Kiara Pettis 4, Kayla Williams 15.
White Station 9 9 15 14—47
Overton 13 17 9 27—66

REGION 8-AA TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINALS
Covington (53) — Tia Bland 13, Kiara Booker 10, Khylee Dowell 5, Alexis Johnson 3, Malia Johnson 2, Treasuary Poindexter 19, Lamia Udley 1.
Craigmont (44) — Danielle Conley 17, Keveona Fayne 2, Mariah Houston 2, Akeria James 6, Morgan Morris 5, Daja Scurlock 12.
Covington 10 8 11 24—53
Craigmont 12 6 9 17—44
Records — Covington 27-6, Craigmont 27-5.

Liberty Tech (42) — Aliyah Collins 2, Cortney Fisher 3, Adrianna Givens 12, Jordyn Johnson 13, Aleyshia Mason-Pavia 5, Teja Pearson 5, Iya Jones 2.
Haywood (63) — Laquita Calloway 10, Jamirah Shutes 23, Madison Smith 15, Timia Tharpe 12, Wandarkyu Young 3.
Liberty Tech 12 12 7 11—42
Haywood 12 12 17 22—63