Democracy Prep rains 3s, rolls to second straight title

Williams, Knights set tourney records for 3-pointers

RENO — It was clear early on Saturday night that something special was happening.

Democracy Prep senior Akeemis Williams hit a 3-pointer early in the game. Then another. Then another, and another, and soon enough, he set a Nevada state tournament record with nine 3-pointers in a game.

The Blue Knights hit 14 3-pointers, the most in a tournament game in state history at any level, as they flew past Battle Mountain 72-48 in the Class 2A state basketball championship game at Lawlor Events Center.

“I was just trying to stay focused,” Williams said. “Just focused on making the shot.

The Blue Knights (29-3) also set records for most 3-pointers in a tournament (21) and most by one player in a tournament (Williams, 12).

Williams finished with a gamehigh 27 points on 18 shots Saturday, and he has Najeeb Muhammad to thank for his success. He set up most of Williams’ 3-pointers, and Muhammad had nine assists to go with 16 points and six rebounds.

“It’s just a blessing. These kids work, so it’s just a testament to my team’s hard work,” Democracy Prep coach Trevor Diggs said. “When Akeemis gets going, he can shoot with the best of them.”

He got going early with four 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Longhorns (26-6) made four for the game, and their leading scorer, Christian Figueroa, had 13 points, which Williams had eclipsed minutes into the second quarter.

The title was the Blue Knights’ second straight and fourth since 2014. They went 20-0 against Class 2A competition, with their only in-state losses to Cheyenne, which finished second in Class 3A, and Class 4A Silverado.

Williams finished his career with three state championships and joked he came one short of perfection.

“It feels great to go out with three rings,” he said. “It would have been great to go out with four, but I didn’t get that one.”

1A Boys

■ Spring Mountain 50, Mineral County 36 — Shawn Shumpert scored 19 points to power the Golden Eagles over the Serpents for their second state championship in school history.

Shumpert was the quarterback on Spring Mountain’s football team that lost in the state championship game in November.

“I never thought this would happen,” Shumpert said. “It feels super nice. It’s like I had something to play for. I couldn’t lose two state championships in a row.”

Ra’vaun Nibblet scored 14 points for the Golden Eagles (24-5), and Damariyae Royal had eight points and 10 rebounds.

Robert McFalls led the Serpents (24-5) with 16 points.

2A Girls

■ White Pine 44, Lincoln County 39 (OT) — The Lynx surrendered a game-tying 3-pointer to Bobcats junior Madison Ricks in the final seconds of regulation and were overwhelmed in overtime.

Brynlee Wadsworth scored a gamehigh 19 points for Lincoln County (254), which was seeking its first Class 2A state championship since 2000.

Rick led White Pine (27-2) with 14 points.

1A Girls

■ Pahranagat Valley 58, Wells 43 — The Panthers forced 10 first-quarter turnovers and rolled to their 14th state title since 1996.

Karley Whipple had 15 points, five assists and three steals to lead Pahranagat Valley (22-3). Madison Williams added 11 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Morgan Harris had eight points, 14 rebounds and three steals for Pahranagat Valley.

Samantha Stumpf scored 20 to lead Wells (19-12).