DULUTH -- Charenee Stephens scored three straight baskets in the fourth quarter to help Southwest DeKalb blunt a rally and beat Fayette County 62-46 in the Class AAAA Georgia High School Association state championship.
The Panthers (31-2) built a 35-25 lead at halftime. Southwest DeKalb opened the third period with a 10-0 run, sparked by Eboni Mitchell's two 3-pointers to give them a 20-point lead their biggest of the game.
But Fayette County (26-6) gradually trimmed the margin, scoring 13 straight points over a four minute span to cut the lead to 45-38. Tessah Hold scored eight points during the spurt.
Anma Onyeuku's layup in the fourth pulled the Tigers within 45-40 with 7:15 remaining. But Southwest DeKalb answered 11 seconds later with a jumper by Kajuanna Rivers.
Stephens, who led the Panthers with 21 points, followed with three consecutive scores to give them enough cushion for the title.
Onyeuku scored 17 points for Fayette County.
Monday
November 25th, 2024
10:52PM
