High Point Academy girls win first state championship
High Point Academy’s quick rise in the Class A girls basketball ranks ended with its first state title Saturday.
Senior Taniah Wilkins scored 19 points and had 18 rebounds as the Grizzlies defeated Military Magnet 60-50 at Colonial Life Arena.
It’s the Grizzlies’ first state title and comes a year after the boys squad won the championship last season. HPA is in its fourth season of varsity sports.
HPA made it to the title game last year but lost 63-49 to Scott’s Branch. There would be no denying the Grizzlies this year as they used their size and length to dominate on the boards.
The Grizzlies outrebounded Military Magnet 55-34. That helped overcome HPA’s 38 turnovers in the game.
“I didn’t want to go home with a loss like we did last year,” Wilkins said. “We knew we had to fight for every single point. This last two years has been amazing. I can’t really describe it.”
Ka’Derrah Beason added 18 points and Vivian Bracebridge had 12 for HPA. Bracebridge hit a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter, the second to give the Grizzlies a 46-43 lead after three quarters.
Rykia Jakes led Military Magnet with 16 points.
Military Magnet used its pressure defense to jump out to a 21-9 lead in the first half. HPA finished the half on a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 28-27.
HPA: Taniah Wilkins 19, Ka’Derrah Beason 18, Vivian Bracebridge 12, Owens 7, Richard 2, Martin 2. MM: Martin 2, Bradley 8, Rykia Jakes 16, Brown 7, Kaelin Davis 12, Ferrell 3, Richardson 2.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 12:38 PM.
