Upperman girls beat Pearl-Cohn in double OT for first state title

Michael Murphy, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — The Upperman girls basketball team won its first state championship in four trips to the title game with Saturday’s 66-62 double-overtime win over Pearl-Cohn at MTSU’s Murphy Center.

Upperman's Akira Levy (2) and Coach Dana McWilliams leave with the trophy after defeating as Pearl Cohn 66-62 in double overtime in the Class AA championship on March 11, 2017.

Class AA Miss Basketball recipient Akira Levy scored a game-high 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead the Lady Bees (34-4), who lost to East Nashville in last year’s state title game. Abby Greenwood added 21 points and five rebounds in the thrilling victory.

“I’m really proud of my team and how we played together,” Levy said. “It’s really great to win it for our town and our coach (Dana McWilliams). That’s really the most important thing — winning it for our coach. She’s been here four times so it’s really good to finally get her a gold ball.”

Senior Troy signee Janiah Sandifer finished with a team-leading 23 points for the Lady Firebirds (26-5), who knocked down nine 3-pointers, while teammates Shawnta Shaw (15) and Shanice Nelson (10) also finished in double figures.

Pearl-Cohn was also trying to win its first state title.

“It’s going to be hard because we lost, but I’m glad I made it this far with my team,” Shaw said.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-249-8262,mfmurphy@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.