Ellender edges Warren Easton for Class 4A girls title, dedicates win to late coach

The experience was bittersweet but it turned into a sweet taste.

On March 1, 2021, Ellender lost legendary coach Kenneth Dixon, who had a mainstay and fixture at the school for 29 years.

Former Ellender boys player Javine Robinson, a 2009 graduate, was called upon to step into a huge void, a daunting task.

In his first year, Robinson is the coach of a state championship team.

Dixon would be very proud of Robinson today.

Sixth-seeded Ellender took the lead in the final seconds of the third quarter and never relinquished it, holding on for a thrilling 50-44 win over top seed Warren Easton in the Class 4A state championship game at University Center Saturday.

It was the rubber match and it was the one that mattered.

Warren Easton and Ellender split a pair of regular season meetings.

The first half was a half of spurts by both teams.

Warren Easton scored the first seven points of the game before Ellender closed the quarter on a 13-0 run to take a 14-10 lead.

Ellender (24-11) grew the lead to 17-10 before the Lady Eagles responded, closing the half on 12-2 run, including the final eight points of the half. Ta’Jae Willis scored 14 points in the half, including four 3-pointers.

The third quarter saw four lead changes and three ties before Toni Robinson swished a 3-pointer as time expired to give Ellender a 36-35 lead going to the fourth quarter.

In the final frame, Ellender turned up the defensive pressure and dominated on the boards. The Lady Patriots led 40-35 before Easton cut the deficit to 44-43 but Ellender got stops, turnovers and closed on a 6-1 run to win the game.

Ellender won its first state title since 2017 while Warren Easton was playing in its sixth state championship game since 2015.

Laijah Rockward was named the Most Outstanding Player. Rockward finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Jamia Singleton had 12 points, six steals, three rebounds and an assist. Toni Robinson contributed 11 points and five rebounds.

Imani Rothschild led Warren Easton (23-10) with 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block while Willis finished with 14 points, all in the first half. The Lady Eagles made just 18 of 55 field goal attempts (25%).

The state championship is the sixth for Ellender with the previous five coming under Dixon, whose presence was clearly felt by Robinson, all Ellender players and Lady Patriot fans on this day.

FINAL
Warren Easton 10 14 11 9 — 44
Ellender 14 6 16 14 — 50

Scoring:
Warren Easton—Ta’Jae Wills 14, Imani Rothschild 14, Kamryn Washington 7, Jalyn Newman 6, Imani Turner 3

Ellender—Laijah Rockward 13, Jamia Singleton 12, Toni Robinson 11, Sage Singleton 6, Kay’ontah Ross 4, Jasi Jenkins 4

Rebounds:
Warren Easton 40
Ellender 47

Turnovers:
Warren Easton 16
Ellender 14