Streak-busters: Lafayette girls end John Curtis Christian's title run in Division I select championship game
By Mike Coppage | Photos by Michael Odendahl
HAMMOND, La. - Chrysta Narcisse saved the best for last.
In the final game of her prep basketball career, the Lafayette High senior powered her team to its first state title since 2012 with a brilliant performance.
The South Alabama signee scored 26 points with 15 rebounds, three assists and three steals in the third-seeded Lady Lions' 52-46 win against top-seeded John Curtis Christian in the Division I select final at the University Center.
"It means everything," Narcisse said. "This has been my goal ever since I began high school. Being able to play a big role in my team winning means everything to me."
Lafayette senior Dalayla Blackwell scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter. Blackwell, a South Alabama volleyball signee, was originally on the fence about playing basketball this season.
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Blackwell made the decision to rejoin the team in January, and her presence was a major factor on Saturday, especially after junior post Grace Paul fouled out at the 3:18 mark of the fourth quarter with the Lady Lions ahead, 43-39.
"I'm the emotional leader for this team," Blackwell said. "I knew I had to be the person they can look to and say, 'It's alright. We gave them a few buckets.'
"We know who we are as a team. Our coaches have our back. We can finish this game."
Lafayette High (25-5) led by as many as 13 points in the first half. Imani Daniels, who finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals, scored 15 in the first half for John Curtis (21-3).
Division I select girls champion Lafayette
Daniels shot 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-6 from the free-throw line in the first half, but her teammates were 0-for-25.
After trailing 29-20 at the half, the Lady Patriots got it together in the third quarter. With Paul and Blackwell both saddled with foul trouble, John Curtis attacked the basket and evened the score three times.
"We've been in that situation several times where we had a big lead and lost it," Narcisse said. "We held our composure. We stayed calm and played our game. We went back to how we started the game."
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Lafayette coach Tarunye Kanonu said her team's defensive focus coming into the game was on Lady Patriots' point guard Heaven Jordan.
Jordan was held scoreless, while freshman sensation Chikae Desdunes scored four points. The two Curtis guards made 2-of-22 field goals.
"We wanted to take them out of their game," Kanonu said. "We knew we were capable of switching up defenses and throwing them off. I think it rattled them.
"John Curtis played a heckuva game, but this was our moment. (Friday) night, my kids gave each other affirmations. We claimed this game. When we came into the arena, it was our game."
Sophomore guard Kira Johnson scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Lafayette High.
Jania Holmes had 12 points for John Curtis, which shot 1-for-17 from beyond the arc and 11-of-24 from the foul line. The Lady Patriots, who started one senior along with a junior, a sophomore and two freshmen, were seeking their seventh straight title.
"Our expectation is not just to get to the championship game," Lady Patriots first-year coach Alendra Brown said. "At John Curtis, we always get to the championship game."
Blackwell and Narcisse, who have attended school together since pre-K, will room together at South Alabama. The duo had always dreamed of winning a state title in basketball, but until midway through the season, it didn't appear that would come to fruition.
Due to her participation in club volleyball, Blackwell wasn't sure she could fit hoops into her schedule. Blackwell attended a couple of basketball games, and that set the wheels in motion.
"We had been conversing with her (about playing both sports)," Kanonu said. "She went to another one of our games, and I think that was the fuel she needed.
"She plays club volleyball. It's tough to do both. We were open to balancing it for her. We told her we would make it work, and that's what we did. (Her return to the team) was just the gas we needed."
