(San Antonio, Texas)-At the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas with 3:05 left in the third quarter, Denton Ryan (31-7) and San Antonio Wagner (34-3) were tied 26-26 as both teams battled for the University Interscholastic League Girls 5A Division I championship title for the first time in school history. In the end, Denton Ryan captured it’s first-ever state title in their first appearance with a 58-47 win.
Wagner was making its sixth appearance in the state championships (2008, 11, 14, 15, 23, 25) and managed to hit a three-pointer to make it 31-31 but Ryan answered right back with a three pointer to take the lead 34-31 with 1:09 left in the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Wagner trailed 33-38 and the Lady T-Birds fought to the end. And fell short. Ryan head coach Monesha Allen was elated with her team’s performance. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life (pauses); so this is what it feels like to be a state champion,” said Allen. The Lady Raiders built a 48-33 lead with 5:20 left to play, including a three-pointer to ice their first ever title. Kaylin Jackson was named MVP as she led all scorers with 24 points and eight rebounds. Wagner was forced to 20 turnovers. (HSSMImages)
