Northpoint falls in Region semifinal

Photo: Northpoint’s Nailah Herrera led her team in scoring with 16 points in Thursday’s loss. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

JACKSON, Tenn. — Northpoint Christian fell behind early and couldn’t recover against Trinity Christian Academy’s pressure Thursday night, dropping a 65–35 decision in the TSSAA Division II‑A West Region semifinals.

TCA controlled the pace from the first half, building leads of 25–17 with 4:15 left and 29–17 with 2:15 remaining before halftime. Northpoint briefly cut the margin to 11 when Nailah Herrera buried a 3‑pointer just before the break, but TCA still carried a 35–24 advantage into halftime. The Lions later stretched the margin to 41–24 with 5:27 left in the third quarter.

Herrera led Northpoint with 16 points, including 12 in the first half. Bella Gagliano added five points, and Londyn Griffin scored four, all in the opening quarter. Amaya Wilson and Rivers Bloodworth each finished with three points, all coming in the fourth quarter.

Tori Robinson was the leading scorer for the Lady Lions with 15 points.  

Coach Barry Gray said his team battled but eventually wore down under TCA’s athleticism and depth.

“They had a lot of good athletes, high skill level,” Gray said. “Once we got tired, we just physically couldn’t stand up to them.”

The loss sends Northpoint into Saturday afternoon’s third‑place game against Jackson Christian, with state playoff seeding on the line. Gray expects a guard‑driven matchup.

“They’ve got three really good guards, real fast off the dribble,” he said. “We’ll have to play well to beat them.”

UCONN COACH APPEARS AT TOURNAMENT GAME: University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma found his way to Thursday’s TSSAA Division II-A West Region tournament at Trinity Christian Academy. Auriemma, who has coached UCONN since 1985 to 12 NCAA national championships, found a moment to have this provided photo taken at the game Thursday with Northpoint coaches Barry and Lindy Gray, and Jade Wells.