Ribault junior point guard Rennia Davis was unstoppable all game long
If you believe defense wins championships, then this was the game for you as two of the nations top defensive teams in Riverdale Baptist and Ribault went at it in the Dicks National's girls championship game. Many felt that national power Riverdale Baptist led by Maryland commit Kaila Charles would roll to victory, not so fast. Ribault, a Florida powerhouse, used a swarming half court trapping defense to hold Riverdale Baptist to 12% shooting....I repeat 12% shooting in the first half to force a 29-15 lead at the half. In the second half, Ribault just poured it on and Riverdale Baptist wouldn't challenge for the rest of the game as Ribault would win their first national championship 75-49. The Lady Trojans were led by their deadly junior duo in Dicks Nationals girls MVP Rennia Davis who finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assist and Dayneshia Banks 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assist. Riverdale Baptist was led by McDonald's All American Kaila Charles 14 points and 11 rebounds while forward Morgan Smith added 11 points and 18 rebounds respectively.
Riverdale Baptist star Kaila Charles tried valiantly to spark her team in the championship game
Ribault 2016 Dick's Nationals Girls Basketball Champions
Oak Hill senior forward and MVP Braxton Key was deadly all over the court offensively
In an absolute thriller that will be talked about for quite sometime, Oak Hill knocked off La Lumiere at the buzzer in overtime to win their first ever Dicks National Championship. In the first half it looked as if Oak Hill would cruise to a championship as they jumped out to a 28-17 first half lead, thanks in large part to James Banks foul trouble and a devastating injury to Jeremiah Tilmon at the start of the game. After halftime, things changed drastically. La Lumiere came out of the half on a mission. Led by talented junior guard Brian Bowen (20 points, 9 rebounds) and junior guard Isaiah Coleman-Lands ( 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assist), the Lakers outscored Oak Hill 35-24 in the second half to force overtime. In overtime, La Lumiere holding a 60-57 lead at the 1:22 mark looked to be ready to put the nail in Oak Hill's coffin. Then it happened! The Lakers efficient freshman point guard Tyger Campbell (12 points, 7 assist, 4 rebounds) had an untimely turnover. Oak Hill's explosive junior guard Lindell Wigginton next converted a tough lay-up in traffic while being fouled, and also knocked down the clutch free throw to tie the game at 60 with 36 seconds left in the game. Lumiere put the ball in Bowen's hands as the clock ran down. With 8 seconds remaining, Bowen shot and missed a jumper, Oak Hill senior Braxton Key grabbed the rebound and found point guard Matt Coleman (8 points, 7 assist, 4 rebounds) as he raced up court. Coleman saw daylight and launched a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining. The shot was off, however Key out of no where tipped the ball up, miss, and then 6'9 senior forward Khadim Sy (9 points, 9 rebounds) managed to tip the ball right before the buzzer sounded.....BALL GAME! Senior forward and Alabama commit Braxton Key was named MVP of the tournament.
Braxton Key was huge for Oak Hill all night, finishing with 20 points (7-11FG ), 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals while junior guard Lindell Wigginton added 16 points and 5 rebounds.
La Lumiere junior Brian Bowen despite a bad shooting night, came through when his team needed him
Oak Hill captures their first 2016 Dicks Nationals Boy's Basketball Championship