The remarkable run is over.
In its first-ever state appearance, the Carrollwood Day School girls basketball team fell just shy in claiming a 3A state championship, losing to Tallahassee FAMU Developmental Research School 46 to 37 on Feb. 23 at the Lakeland Center.
(Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)
Carrollwood (27-3) couldn’t overcome a full-court pressure (33 turnovers) nor shaky shooting (30.2 percent) against FAMU (24-9), which now has won its third straight title — the first two coming in Class 2A.
Nabaweeyah McGill, a 6-foot-2 freshman center, led Carrollwood with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Tarriyonna Gary added 10 points and nine rebounds.
But, it wasn’t enough to keep the Patriots 16-game winning steak intact.
Eighth-grade sisters Erin and Erica Turral led the charge for FAMU, combining for 23 points and 12 steals. Senior Dominique Jeffery, FAMU’s only starter taller than 5-foot-7, contributed eight points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
The Rattlers, coached by Erika Cromartie, have been a kryptonite of sorts for Patriots first-year coach Karim Nohra.
Nohra, a 24-year coaching veteran who previously coached at Academy at the Lakes, has now lost to FAMU in the state tournament five consecutive times.
Carrollwood Day’s future under Nohra remains bright, however.
The Patriots 2017-2018 squad again will be chock full of youthful talent.
This season’s roster of 10 players included just two sophomores, six freshmen, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader. All five starters were freshman, including top player Tiasia McMillan, a forward who averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.
The Patriots, meanwhile, were the lone high school basketball team (boys or girls) from our coverage area that advanced to the state tournament.
In the 3A semifinals on Feb. 21, Carrollwood Day defeated Bradenton Christian 73 to 37.
Key Returnees:
- Cairah Mays, 5-foot-7 freshman guard: 7.1 PPG (points per game), 5.2 RPG (rebounds per game), 6.8 APG (assists per game)
- Tarriyonna Gary, 5-foot-8 freshman guard: 12.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.7 APG
- Tiasia McMillan, 6-foot freshman forward: 15.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 48 percent FG (field goals)
- Nabaweeyah McGill, 6-foot-2 freshman center: 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 54 percent FG
Published March 1, 2017
