St. Thomas Aquinas downs Northlake Christian, 53-42, for Division III girls basketball title

ALEXANDRIA – As the top seed, St. Thomas Aquinas had the target on its back in Division III. Suffice it to say that the Falcons handled the pressure extremely well Saturday.

The Falcons led from start to finish in an outstanding performance in a 53-42 victory over No. 2 Northlake Christian at Rapides Parish Coliseum Saturday morning.

The state title is the first in girls basketball since 2013 for St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Falcons jumped all over the Wolverines immediately, taking an 11-0 lead and it was 16-4 at the end of the first quarter. Lilly Maggio had five points while Jade Brumfield had four in the quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same with the Falcons closing the frame on a 6-0 run to take a commanding 33-12 lead by halftime. Maggio had 16 points in the half.

The Wolverines outscored St. Thomas Aquinas 14-13 in the third quarter but still trailed 46-26. Natalie Newberry had eight points in the quarter for Northlake Christian.

Northlake Christian got as close as it would get on a 3-pointer as time expired by Natalie Newberry.

Jaylyn James led the Falcons (20-10) with 17 points and seven rebounds while Maggio finished with 16 points. Brumfield added 12 points and nine rebounds.

STA (19-10) dominated the boards 48-32, including 25 offensive rebounds and the Falcons forced 21 turnovers.

Northlake Christian (23-6) was led by Kyren Whittington, who scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds with four blocks and three steals. Newberry had 17 points for the Wolverines.