Southern Wayne’s No. 12 Kymora Stokes lining up for a free throw after making a tough layup and a foul. (Kareem Brown|mountolivetribune.com)
The Ayden Grifton Chargers wasted no time establishing momentum, opening the game with two quick baskets. Southern Wayne answered at the free-throw line, with No. 33 Aliyah Williams scoring, but the Chargers held a 7–2 advantage early.
A strong basket from No. 13 Destiny Bullock helped the Saints settle in, and after a big defensive steal by the same player, Southern Wayne looked poised to shift the momentum though they couldn’t finish on the opportunity. The Chargers pushed the pace in transition, drawing a foul on a layup and stretching their lead to 13–4 at the 3:15 mark of the first quarter.
Southern Wayne found a spark as No. 21 Kiara Wynn buried a three-pointer, then immediately converted another after a quick Chargers turnover. Suddenly, the Saints were right back in it at 10–13. A late foul sent the Chargers to the line, but they came up empty, and the first quarter ended with Ayden Grifton leading 13–12 in a tight battle.
Chargers Build Separation Before the Half
The Chargers opened the second quarter with renewed energy, knocking down two baskets to rebuild control. Capitalizing on the Saints’ miscommunication, Ayden Grifton extended the lead to 11 points at the 4:52 mark.
Southern Wayne called a timeout as Coach Lofton regrouped and reset the game plan. The Saints began to chip away, with No. 11 Kamani Brister going 1-for-2 at the line, followed by a layup from No. 12 Kymora Stokes. Another strong drive from No. 11 Kamani Brister helped pull the Saints back within reach.
A timely steal by No. 11 Kamani Brister sent her back to the free-throw line, where she again went 1-for-2. Despite the Saints’ efforts, the Chargers maintained control, taking a 31–18 lead into halftime.
Halftime Recap
Southern Wayne showed resilience despite early struggles, with major contributions from multiple players. However, defensive lapses and turnovers allowed the Chargers to capitalize and extend their advantage. Ayden Grifton’s balance and pace dictated much of the opening half.
Saints Show Life in the Third, Chargers Hold Firm
The third quarter opened with both teams trading baskets, but Southern Wayne began carving into the deficit. No. 12 Kymora Stokes stepped to the line and calmly hit both free throws, then followed with a steal and score that reignited the Saints’ sideline. Ayden Grifton called a timeout to stop the surge.
The Saints came out of the timeout energized, pushing a fast-paced offense and stacking together multiple baskets. Still, the Chargers maintained a steady double-digit lead and answered with timely scores to keep the Saints at bay.
After another hard drive, No. 12 Kymora Stokes returned to the line, going 1-for-2. Ayden Grifton closed the quarter strong with a key layup and entered the fourth up 43–30.
Saints Rally Late but Chargers Close the Door
Southern Wayne opened the fourth quarter with urgency as No. 12 Kymora Stokes buried a big three-pointer. No. 11 Kamani Brister added another point from the line, and the Saints pushed the pace, cutting the deficit to just seven points.
The Chargers responded, drawing a foul and knocking down both free throws to regain breathing room. Southern Wayne’s No. 11 Kamani Brister answered with a deep three, but time was no longer on the Saints’ side.
Despite a fierce comeback attempt, Ayden Grifton remained composed in the final minutes, sealing the game and handing the Saints a 52–42 loss.
Final Score: Ayden Grifton Chargers 52, Southern Wayne Saints 42
