BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @Gosset41
For the first time in Denton ISD history, there is a state champion in girls basketball. Denton Ryan, unranked, stunned the San Antonio crowd and #1 Wagner 58-47 in the Class 5A Division 1 title game on Saturday at the Alamodome.
Wagner, topped ranked in the TABC 5A state rankings and only 10 miles from the arena, ends at 34-4. The Thunderbirds came in with a 25-game winning streak and hadn’t lost since Nov. 26.
Despite a large difference in fouls, free throw shooting and turnovers, Ryan still shot 45% from the field while Wagner was held to 29%. Ryan was called for 23 fouls vs Wagner’s 12. The Thunderbirds shot 18 of 31 from the charity stripe to only six for the Raiders. Ryan committed 23 turnovers compared to 11 from Wagner.
Ryan was +9 from behind the arc and out-rebounded Wagner 39-23.
Junior forward Kaylin Jackson was voted state champ MVP with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. She shot 9 of 11 from the field.
Zaviya Madison added 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Ryan trailed 12-11 after the first quarter, but won the second 15-9. The Raiders also finished the game strong with a 20-14 edge in the final period.
