Early Dominance Seals the Deal (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – The No. 2-seeded Democracy Prep girls basketball team dismantled No. 7 Centennial 62-29 Wednesday night in a Class 5A state quarterfinal at Doolittle Community Center.[1]
Early Dominance Seals the Deal
Democracy Prep seized control from the opening tip. The Blue Knights built a 19-8 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 31-14 at halftime when Centennial endured a 4½-minute scoring drought to start the second period.[1]
A 16-0 run over 6½ minutes in the third quarter pushed the margin to 49-18 entering the fourth. Officials activated a running clock late in the game as the hosts maintained their grip. The standing-room-only crowd at the venue erupted as players celebrated the decisive victory.[1]
Coach Julius Barren credited his team’s preparation. “The preparation this week was amazing,” he said. “With all due respect to (Centennial), I told (our girls) that our A-game against their A-game, it’s a double-digit difference.”[1]
Standout Stars Drive the Offense
Elyah Ocampo paced Democracy Prep with 14 points in her first season with the program. Bray’ana Miles added 12 points, all in the second half, along with six assists, six steals and three rebounds. Avery Freeman contributed nine points, while La’Niah Hicks and Serenity Fox each scored eight.[1]
Nation Williams fought valiantly for Centennial, finishing with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Yet the Bulldogs struggled to match the Blue Knights’ intensity throughout.[1]
- Elyah Ocampo: 14 points
- Bray’ana Miles: 12 points, 6 assists, 6 steals
- Avery Freeman: 9 points
- La’Niah Hicks: 8 points
- Serenity Fox: 8 points
- Nation Williams (Centennial): 14 points, 14 rebounds
Ocampo highlighted the team’s resilience. “We’ve gone through a lot of adversity this season,” she noted. “It’s definitely built our character in a short amount of time.”[1]
Rivalry Rematch Delivers Statement
The clubs met for the fourth time in three seasons, but this clash diverged sharply from prior encounters. Centennial claimed last year’s state title over Democracy Prep, and the teams traded close results earlier this season, including a 60-59 Blue Knights triumph on Jan. 30.[1][2]
Centennial entered with a 5-18 record after forfeiting 15 victories due to an administrative oversight on player eligibility. Democracy Prep improved to 15-6 with the win, overcoming challenges like a flooded home court and the midseason loss of UNLV commit Keonni Lewis to a torn ACL.[1]
Barren praised Miles’ court vision. “Bray’s IQ is amazing,” he said. “Being the smallest one on the floor, she understands what’s happening at all times.” The staff devised a plan to contain Williams, starting Serenity Fox before switching to athletic Avery Freeman.[1]
Semifinal Showdown Awaits
Democracy Prep advances to face No. 3 Shadow Ridge in a state semifinal Feb. 18 at Valley High. The Blue Knights seek to build on their playoff momentum after a regular season marked by tight battles and team growth.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Democracy Prep led wire-to-wire, turning a rivalry rematch into a blowout.
- Multiple Blue Knights reached double figures, showcasing balanced scoring.
- Adversity forged a tougher squad now eyeing a deep tournament run.
This commanding performance underscored Democracy Prep’s potential in the 5A bracket. What do you think of the Blue Knights’ chances moving forward? Tell us in the comments.
