Northwest Academy made history last weekend by winning its very first state championship in boys’ basketball.
The Hornets rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat Whitfield 78-68 to win the Class 3 state championship in an all-St. Louis final at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Northwest Academy is coached by former Vashon High standout Gerald Jones, who was the point guard of the Wolverines’ state championship team in 1986. In two consecutive games in Columbia, Jones led the Hornets back from a nine-point deficit against Mountain Grove in the semifinals and a 12-point deficit in the championship game against a very talented Whitfield team.
Junior forward Jamarr Williams was a pillar of strength in the low post in both victories for the Hornets. The 6’6” Williams had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the championship game against Whitfield and 24 points and 10 rebounds in the 79-72 victory over Mountain Grove in the semifinals.
Junior guard Rayonte Childs came up big in the championship game for Northwest with 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and five 3-pointers. Senior guard Ryan Warren scored all 17 of his points in the second half. The 5’7” point guard also had a game-high 26 points in the victory over Mountain Grove in the semifinals.
Whitfield was making its second consecutive appearance in the Final Four, where they finished fourth last season. The Warriors built a 41-29 lead over Northwest behind the play of juniors Torrence Watson and Amechi Ramsey. The 6’5” Watson finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds while Ramsey finished with 17 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Watson had 29 points and 12 rebounds in Whitfield’s 79-70 victory over Hogan Prep in the semifinals. Ramsey added 14 points while sophomore forwards Cyrus Alexander and Luther Taylor scored 12 points each.
Whitfield’s girls joined its boys as state runners-up at the Class 3 state tournament over the weekend. The Warriors defeated Trenton 51-46 in the semifinals before being overwhelmed by defending state champion Strafford 83-36 in the state championship game. Sophomore forward Aijah Blackwell had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the victory over Trenton while Jade Moore and Nia Griffin added 11 points each.
Lutheran North brought home a third-place trophy in its first ever appearance in the Final Four. After dropping an 80-47 decision to Strafford in the semifinals, the Crusaders came back to defeat Trenton 61-56 for third place. Sophomore Kaylynn Hayden scored 20 points in the victory over Trenton while sophomore Jordyn White added 14 points. Sophomore forward Madison Buford scored 24 points in the loss to Strafford.
