NASHVILLE—The Maplewood Lady Panthers overcame a 14-point deficit to come out on top in a thrilling 59-53 overtime win against the East Nashville Lady Eagles to clinch the District 10-AA title.Â
Senior forward Ye Taviea Carter played a huge part in the comeback with 13 points and 18 rebounds, all while battling through cramps.Â
“My senior stepped up, she always does.” Maplewood coach Tristin Williams said. “With cramps and all, she kept preserving.”
Not to be outdone, sophomore guard La Rose Morrow lead the team in scoring with 17 points, including the game-tying basket that sent the game into overtime.Â
East Nashville had a very strong first half jumping out to 32-20 halftime lead with sophomore guard Jaelynn Knox having 13 first-half points, but struggled in the second half due to an injured knee.Â
Point guard Tameia Shaw was battling with her own knee injury as well.
“It was a very physical game on both sides, a tough way to lose but we had our chances to end it just missed a lot of opportunities.” East Nashville coach Lois Donaldson said.
In the overtime period, freshman guard Zoe Kerr hit a huge 3-pointer to give the Lady Panthers a 52-49 lead and Maplewood would never relinquish it.
“We found a way to win this game collectively,” Williams said. “As a group, everybody did their part and we’re huge on roles and having everybody fulfill those roles. I can’t be more proud of these young women.”
GIRLS BOX SCORE
Maplewood (59): La Rose Morrow 17, Ye Taviea Carter 13, Ty’Yona Gardner 10, Daryana Thompson 6, Renetta Watson 5, Zariah Cameron 4, Zoe Kerr 3, Angelesa Morrow 1
East Nashville (53): Jaelynn Knox 17, Tameia Shaw 9, Zayla Jones 8, Quentarra Mitchell 8, London Fairs 7, A’Niya Young 4
Maplewood vs. East Nashville girls basketball
East Nashville's Quentarra Mitchell falls to the court as she gets called for traveling, which gave the basketball back to Maplewood and allowed them to tie the game with only seconds remaining.
Maplewood's Rose Marrow splits the defense of East Nashville's Jaelynn Knox, left, and London Fairs as she pulls up and makes the game tieing shot with only seconds remaining in regulation.
Maplewood fans celebrate at the end of regulation moments after Maplewood tied the game on a basket by Rose Marrow.
East Nashville's Quentarra Mitchell attempts a shot during overtime of Maplewood's victory Friday night.
East Nashville's Aniya Young controls a loose ball as she's defended by Maplewood's Kirtra English.
Maplewood players walk off the court after a thrilling overtime victory over East Nashville Friday night.
East Nashville's Quentarra Mitchell, left, Maplewood's Daryana Thomas battle for control of a rebound.
East Nashville's Jaelynn Knox drives to the basket as she is fouled by Maplewood's Ty' Yona Gardner.
Maplewood's Ty' Yona Gardner soars to the basket for a rebound during Maplewood's victory over East Nashville Friday night.
East Nashville's Quentarra Mitchell dribbles the basketball up court as she's defended by Maplewood's Rose Marrow.
Maplewood's Ty' Yona Gardner, left, and East Nashville's Jaelynn Knox battle for control of the basketball.
East Nashville's Jaelynn Knox gains control of the ball as she falls to the court after stealing the basketball from Maplewood's Ty' Yona Gardner.
East Nashville's Aniya Young has her shot blocked by Maplewood's Daryana Thomas.
Maplewood 56, East Nashville 46 (boys)
In the boys’ game, Maplewood defeated East Nashville 56-46, snapping the Eagles 21-game win streak.
The seniors for the Panthers came up big as well with Makell Smith led all scorers with 20 points and Bobo Hodges added 14 points.Â
“(Smith) has been practicing better,” Maplewood head coach Ty Wilson said. “We inserted him into the starting lineup at that point his confidence went up a little more.”
East Nashville started out hot and looked like it would be on pace to finish district play undefeated after a 16-11 lead in the first quarter, but the Eagles only managed to score six points in the second and never got going offensively.Â
Senior guard Taras Carter led the Eagles in scoring with 17 points, but struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble.
“(East Nashville) is a more seasoned basketball team than we are, but we can grind too,” Wilson said. “It’s a good thing that we ended their streak, but now the real season begins next week in the district tournament.”
BOYS BOX SCORE
Maplewood (56):Â Makell Smith 20, Bobo Hodges 14, Jermaine Donnell 9, Anthony Garrett 6, Antonio Cockrill 4, Cordell Pinkston 2, Latavius Fitts 1
East Nashville (46):Â Taras Carter 17, Willie Wilson 10, Michael Dowlen 7, Isaiah Jones 6, Lester Shaw 4, Caleb Grimes 2
Maplewood vs. East Nashville boys basketball
Maplewood's Latavius Fitts attempts a shot as he's fouled by East Nashville's Trey Shaw.
East Nashville's Michael Dowlen drives to the basket for a lay-up past Maplewood's Makell Smith.
East Nashville and Maplewood players battle for control of a rebound during Friday night's game at Maplewood High School.
East Nashville's Isaiah Jones attempts a rebound dunk over Maplewood defenders in the final seconds of the first half.
Maplewood's Bobo Hodges attempts a three point shot over East Nashville's Caleb Grimes.
Maplewood's Antonio Cockrill tracks down a loose ball during Maplewood's victory over East Nashville Friday night.
Maplewood's Bobo Hodges attempts a shot as he drives to the basket through the East Nashville defense.
Maplewood's Jermaine Donnell attempts a shot over East Nashville's Isaiah Jones.
Maplewood's Bobo Hodges attempts to dribble past the defensivie pressure of East Nashville's Trey Shaw during Friday night's game.
Maplewood's Anthony Garrett gains control of the basketball while driving to the basket to attempt a shot during Friday night's game against East Nashville.
East Nashville and Maplewood players battle for control of a rebound during the second half of Friday night's game at Maplewood High School.
Maplewood's Bobo Hodges passes the basketball to his teammate Makell Smith during Maplewood's victory over East Nashville Friday night.
Maplewood's Bobo Hodges drives to the basket past East Nashville's Taras Carter.
Maplewood's Jermaine Donnell soars to the basket for a lay-up during Maplewood's victory over East Nashville Friday night.