Africentric girls team again thinking big

With Kiyanna Black leading the way, the Africentric girls basketball team won its third state championship last season.

The Nubians, who beat Anna 70-66 in overtime in the Division III state final and finished 23-4, lost Black to graduation. She is playing for Ohio University.

Africentric has returned nearly all of Black's supporting cast from a year ago, however, and is off to strong start.

Marley Hill, a 6-2 post player who has signed with Cincinnati, is the only senior returnee.

Also back are juniors Kyra Jones (5-8, guard), Darianne Seward (5-5, guard), Alexus Parks (5-5, guard), Ayrielle Stith (5-7, guard/forward) and Sierra Harley (5-8, guard) and sophomores Dayunna Johnson (5-3, guard) and Dejanique Franks (5-5, guard).

Africentric has won seven consecutive City-South championships, including five City titles during that span. The Nubians lost to Northland 45-37 in the City championship game last season.

Africentric beat Eastmoor, which placed second in the City-South a year ago, 86-65 on Dec. 4 for its 100th consecutive league victory.

"We're really looking forward to (continuing the success we've had in recent years)," said 10th-year coach Will McKinney, who entered the season with an 186-43 record with the Nubians. "We'll work with each other more this year. There's more of a team bond."