2019 Independent School National Championships - Presented by Insider Exposure

Location: Mooresville, NC

When: February 22 - 24

In the second year of this outstanding event, it expanded to two divisions and continues to grow.  I will outline the Championship teams and All-Tournament teams in each bracket.

Elite Bracket

This group of teams matched up 14 participating schools from the United States & Canada. Westridge Academy (Kernersville, NC) pulled out the Championship with a 56 - 47 Victory over Blair Academy (NJ). Both of these teams are loaded with talented players and were a joy to watch. Blair Academy’s backcourt of 2021 - Dominique Darius & 2021 - Olivia Miles are a load to handle and they proved that throughout the 3 day event.  Westridge Academy 2019 Guard Kirsten “KK” Deans was named Tournament MVP for her performance leading her team to 3 - 0 weekend and an undefeated season (so far at 24 - 0.)

Putnam Science Academy (CT) pulled out a 50 - 48 win over St. Laurent (Quebec, Canada) to claim the third place spot. This was an outstanding battle of talented players. At the buzzer, St. Laurent missed a game-tying shot that would have moved the game into overtime.  

All Tournament Team - Elite Bracket

• Kirsten “KK” Deans - Westridge Academy - 2019 - 5’7” - Guard - WVU Signee

• Jordan Tuff - Westridge Academy - 2019 - 5’7” - Guard - Cincinnati Signee

• De’Aja Richardson - Westridge Academy - 2019 - 5’9” - Wing - Tennessee State Signee

• Dominique Darius - Blair Academy - 2021 - 6’0” - Guard

• Olivia Miles - Blair Academy - 2021 - 5’10” - Guard

• Niya Fields - Putnam Science Academy - 2020 - 5’8” - Guard

• Fatima Lee - Putnam Science Academy - 2019 - 5’6” - Guard - Providence Signee

• Kiandra Brown - St. Laurent - 2020 - 6’1” - Forward

• Angelica Juste-Jean - St. Laurent - 2021 - 5’9” - Guard

• Aaliyah Edwards - Crestwood Prep - 2020 - 6’3” - Forward

• Shayeann Day-Wilson - Crestwood Prep - 2021 - 5’7” - Guard

• Latasha Lattimore - Crestwood Prep - 2021 - 6’5” - Forward

• Mary McMillan - DME - 2020 - 5’6” - Guard

• Somer Wilson - Comenius - 2020 - 6’0” - Wing

• Tyi Skinner - TPLS - 2020 - 5’3” - Guard

• Anayah Rice - Legacy Early College - 2019 - 6’0” - Guard - SC State Signee

• Makayla Ennis - Lincoln Prep - 2019 - 5’11” - Wing - VT Signee

• Brynn Masikewich - Lincoln Prep - 2019 - 6’3” - Forward -UCLA Commit

• Destini Sterling - Rock Creek Christian Academy - 2019 - 5’11” - Wing

• Kennedy Fountleroy - Rock Creek Christian Academy - 2022 - 5’7” - Guard

• Sarah Dumistrescu - IMG Academy - 2019 - 6’1” - Wing - Ole Miss Signee

• Liz Smith - IMG Academy - 2020 - 5’6” -Guard

• Madelyn Anderson - J.Addison School - 2019 - 5’10” - Guard

Gold Bracket

The smaller group of teams in the Gold Bracket allowed for some exciting matchups and the Championship game did not disappoint.  The Pennington School (NJ) defeated Empower Academy (FL) 74 - 69 in OT. 2019 - Guard - Noo Washington - Empower Academy - Sent the game to OT with a nice drive & finish as times expired. In OT the Pennington backcourt of 2019 - Diamond Christian & 2020 - Taylor Blunt - held off Empower Academy enough to win the Championship in their first time at the Independent School National Championships.

All-Tournament Team - Gold Bracket

• Diamond Christian - Pennington School - 2019 - 5’6” - Guard

• Leah Johnson - Pennington School - 2019 - 6’2” - Post

• Taylor Blunt - Pennington School - 2020 - 5’9” - Guard

• Noo Washington - Empower Academy - 2019 - 5’9” - Guard

• Kayla Robinson - Empower Academy - 2019 - 5’6” - Guard

• Paige Ollivierre - Empower Academy - 2019 - 5’9” - Guard

• Rhian Lawrence - Carolina Prep - 2023 - 5’5” - Guard

• Angelina Mbengo - St.-Lauren JV - 2024 - 5’9” - Guard

• Terissa Lavile -Brice - St.-Lauren JV - 2023 - 6’0” - Wing

• Breya Busby - Arborbrook Christian - 2021 - 5’5” - Guard

• Christie Zawacki - Arborbrook Christian - 2019 - 6’2” - Forward

• Aerial Wilson - TRC Academy - 2019 - 5’6” - Guard - Memphis Signee

• Dominique Ennis - TRC Academy - 2022 - 5’7” - Guard