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JACKSON – One of the strongest girls basketball programs in Mississippi has added yet another gold ball to its collection.
The Ingomar Falcons took down the Okolona Chieftains 65-48 on Friday morning in the MHSAA Class 1A state championship at the Mississippi Coliseum. It’s Ingomar’s fourth title in a row and the 15th in program history.
“Just to have the opportunity to play in one is unique and special,” Falcons coach Trent Adair said. “But to have a chance to win four and then actually do it, that’s another level. That’s something these kids can be very, very proud of.”
The teams were tied at 2-2 early in the first, then the Falcons (34-2) rattled off an 18-4 run that put them ahead 20-6 with 6:10 left in the second. Ingomar did not allow a field goal in that span and forced 10 turnovers in the first eight minutes.
This was the fourth meeting this season between the Falcons and Chieftains. Ingomar worked to make sure that two of Okolona’s guards, Sanaa Chandler and Prommyss Small, could not drive to the bucket so easily.
“Tyrani (Jones) just did a really good job defensively on (Chandler) the whole game,” Adair said. “She may never get any kind of interview press for that, but she did.”
Okolona (26-6) began to settle down offensively after the run and got within 11 at the 2:17 mark, but its defense had trouble stopping Daylen Grisham and Peyton Wray. The pair went into halftime with 14 points each and the Falcons went in up 36-23.
The Chieftains appeared to be getting momentum in the third quarter, but a 3-pointer by Bella Phifer kickstarted an 11-0 run that made it 53-29 with 1:01 left.
Grisham and Wray continued to be forces on offense the rest of the way. Wray finished with a team-high 24 points. Grisham followed with 22 and was named the game’s MVP.
“It’s definitely the best experience we’ve had so far,” Grisham said of the season. “I love my team, and I love that we’ve all played together. We play so good together.”
Chandler led the Chieftains with 15 points, while Small had 13. This was Okolona’s first ever trip to the state championship game.
“Just the run is amazing,” Chieftains coach Arteria Clifton said of the season. “I’m happy for the players. They worked hard to get here.”
Three-Pointers
Turning Point: Ingomar’s 18-4 run started with a three by Phifer and ended with a three by Grisham.
Point Maker: Grisham had nine field goals and shot 4 of 8 from the free throw line.
Talking Point: “They’ve always supported me and my family and everything we’ve been through, and they support our team, and I’m super thankful for them.” – Grisham, on the Ingomar community
Continue reading...
The Ingomar Falcons took down the Okolona Chieftains 65-48 on Friday morning in the MHSAA Class 1A state championship at the Mississippi Coliseum. It’s Ingomar’s fourth title in a row and the 15th in program history.
“Just to have the opportunity to play in one is unique and special,” Falcons coach Trent Adair said. “But to have a chance to win four and then actually do it, that’s another level. That’s something these kids can be very, very proud of.”
The teams were tied at 2-2 early in the first, then the Falcons (34-2) rattled off an 18-4 run that put them ahead 20-6 with 6:10 left in the second. Ingomar did not allow a field goal in that span and forced 10 turnovers in the first eight minutes.
This was the fourth meeting this season between the Falcons and Chieftains. Ingomar worked to make sure that two of Okolona’s guards, Sanaa Chandler and Prommyss Small, could not drive to the bucket so easily.
“Tyrani (Jones) just did a really good job defensively on (Chandler) the whole game,” Adair said. “She may never get any kind of interview press for that, but she did.”
Okolona (26-6) began to settle down offensively after the run and got within 11 at the 2:17 mark, but its defense had trouble stopping Daylen Grisham and Peyton Wray. The pair went into halftime with 14 points each and the Falcons went in up 36-23.
The Chieftains appeared to be getting momentum in the third quarter, but a 3-pointer by Bella Phifer kickstarted an 11-0 run that made it 53-29 with 1:01 left.
Grisham and Wray continued to be forces on offense the rest of the way. Wray finished with a team-high 24 points. Grisham followed with 22 and was named the game’s MVP.
“It’s definitely the best experience we’ve had so far,” Grisham said of the season. “I love my team, and I love that we’ve all played together. We play so good together.”
Chandler led the Chieftains with 15 points, while Small had 13. This was Okolona’s first ever trip to the state championship game.
“Just the run is amazing,” Chieftains coach Arteria Clifton said of the season. “I’m happy for the players. They worked hard to get here.”
Three-Pointers
Turning Point: Ingomar’s 18-4 run started with a three by Phifer and ended with a three by Grisham.
Point Maker: Grisham had nine field goals and shot 4 of 8 from the free throw line.
Talking Point: “They’ve always supported me and my family and everything we’ve been through, and they support our team, and I’m super thankful for them.” – Grisham, on the Ingomar community
Continue reading...
