Prep Charter girls top Central for Public League title
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY consisted of two teams familiar with playing each other in this big-time contest.
The Prep Charter Lady Huskies, in repeat fashion, defeated Central, 56-37, to win their third consecutive Public League championship. Prep Charter has become the new power in Public League girls' basketball, with three titles in the school's 5 years of existence.
Sunday's game was a rematch from last year, when Prep Charter won, 70-34.
"We have a great team," said coach Ashley Logue, who was named the Lady Huskies' head coach in December. "These girls all have their own individual styles and when we bring them all together, they're really hard to beat."
At the end of the first half, Charter held a 22-19 lead. Logue attributed the small advantage to the teams' tendency to overpass instead of attacking the basket.
"Our shots weren't falling, so instead of them attacking the basket like they know how to do, they tried to continue to shoot, and if our shots aren't falling, they know they can't rely on those shots any longer," Logue said. "At the half, I let them know to not overpass. If you have an opportunity to score, score yourself, don't pass."
The Lady Huskies thrived under that advice.
Prep Charter was able to put away the game in the second half behind the stellar performance of sophomore guard Ciani Cryor.
On offense, Cryor scored a team-high 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field and contributed five assists.
Adding to her impressive offensive performance, the 5-2 guard was able guide the team defensively, collecting 12 steals. Cryor rightfully takes pride in her role as the team leader.
"I'm kind of used to it and I like being the leader," she said. "It shows me I can be a little bit older."
"She is an amazing player," Logue said. "She's only a sophomore but she plays so much older than she is. She does everything for us. She distributes passes, she can shoot, she can steal. She's just an all-around great player for us."
Junior guard Ciera Nimmons also contributed to the Prep Charter win. She scored 17 points on 8-for-23 shooting.
For Central, Symantha Marrero scored 18 points and Kayla Henderson added eight.
Next for Prep Charter will be Friday's city title game at Southern. Prep Charter will play the winner of Monday night's Catholic League title game.
Archbishop Wood will play Cardinal O'Hara for the Catholic League championship at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Palestra.
More on Prep Charter
A bit of controversy developed after Prep Charter defeated Central.
In an email sent to the Daily News and Robert Coleman, the District 12 chairman and Public League sports czar, a woman alleged that two of Prep Charter's players, juniors Hannah Timmons and Martianna Wilson are residents of Coatesville and that she rides the train into Philadelphia with the players.
"It's on the back burner for today," Coleman said after Sunday's game. "I'll talk to them tomorrow morning [Prep Charter's administration] and give them due process."
