Top-seeded White Station girls win 16-AAA

Share the wealth, share in the celebration of winning a district championship. That was the night in a nutshell for the White Station girls basketball team.

The top-seeded Spartans used a balanced scoring attack to take control early and defeat third-seeded and tournament host Whitehaven, 58-35 in Tuesday’s 16-AAA championship game. The victory gives the Spartans a No. 1 seed for the upcoming Region 8 tournament, where they’ll open against Kirby.

“We still need to cut down on turnovers; that’s what a coach will always say,” said Spartans coach Tommy Warren. “We’re still gelling; there are still things to work on. As a coach, you’re looking to play that perfect game.”

It wasn’t perfect against the Tigers but it was impressive nevertheless.

Tennessee-Martin signee Damiah Griffin led the Spartans (25-3) with 11 but five other players scored at least six points. Ten players scored in all and six players hit 3-pointers, including sophomore reserve Alexia Nightengale, who drained a long win from the left corner in the closing seconds to put the finishing touches on on White Station’s 23rd victory in its last 24 games.

“All of these girls can play,” said Warren, who has built the Spartans into a genuine contender for Murfreesboro in just two seasons.

“If you have the best shot, then take it. This team plays together (well) and tonight was a complete team effort.”

Jasmine Carson scored 12 to lead the Tigers (16-8), who host Ridgeway in the first round of the region.

East pulled away in the second half to win the boys championship, 84-66 over Whitehaven.

The defending state champion Mustangs host Germantown in the first round of the region tournament while Tigers host Collierville.

15-AAA

Quentin Williams scored 17 — including the game-winning behind half-court 3 — as Southwind won the championship, 65-62 over tournament host Ridgeway.

Mark Freeman also scored 17 for the Jaguars, while Carlos Marshall added 13 and Cameron Williams 12. Southwind will host Melrose in the first round of region play. Jalen Crutcher had 20 to lead Ridgeway, which hosts Central next. Tylar Haynes added 16.

Madison Griggs scored 12 and tournament MVP Jayla Hemingway added 10 as Houston won the title for the second year in a row, 53-28 over Collierville. The Mustangs host Hamilton to open the region while the Dragons host Central.

14-AAA

Tournament MVP Caitlyn Wilson scored 20 and Lanetta Williams added 14 as Arlington (21-8) took control in the first half and coasted to a 74-36 victory over Bartlett in the girls title game.

13-AAA

Zachary Lewis scored 23 as Brighton won the title, 72-59 over Dyer County. Taelyr Gatlin added 18 for the Cardinals (18-11), who will host Bartlett in the first round of the Region 7 tournament. Dyer County will host Arlington.

DIVISION 2-AA WEST

Cedric Henderson scored 16 as fourth-seeded Briarcrest (21-11) won at third-seeded MUS, 58-49. Trey Harrington added 11 for the Saints, who travel to face Brentwood Academy Saturday at 7 p.m.

Luke Wilfong scored 14 and Josh Gray 12 for the Owls, who end the season 21-9.

In a girls game, Elizabeth Farnsworth scored 11 and Kaia Barnett added 10 as Hutchison advanced with a 3929 victory over St. Agnes. It was the final game for Stars coach Jim Lassandrello, who plans to stay on as the school’s athletic director.

The Sting will visit top-seeded Nashville Father

16-AA

William Edwards scored 24 and Tim Williams 21 as Sheffield held off a big fourth-quarter rally to win the title, 70-68 over Douglass. Parrish Hewitt had 25 to lead the Red Devils, who trailed 52-36 heading into the fourth.

Quinterria Foster scored 14 and tournament MVP Sade Hudson added 12 as tournament host Trezevant slowed down a red-hot Raleigh-Egypt team, 48-40. Tasia Bland had 14 and Whitney Smith 13 to lead the Lady Pharaohs.

MITCHELL SWEEPS IN 16-A

Defending state champ Mitchell will head into the regional tournament as the top-seed for the fourth year in a row after winning the title, 61-48 over MASE.

Derenisha Taylor scored 23 as the girls team downed Booker T. Washington, 77-57. Vertonia Bady added 18 for Mitchell, which improves to 27-3 and has won 12 in a row dating back to a 63-56 loss to Whitehaven on Jan. 14. It’s the third district title in a row for the Lady Tigers.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas