Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

They are looking for a three-peat.

Columbus Africentric’s Lady Nubians will play Smithville at 1 p.m. Friday in the Division III state semifinals in hopes of reaching the title game for the third straight year.

The Lady Nubians have reached the state title game five times and have won three state titles.

Leading the Lady Nubians is Alexa Hart, a 6-foot-2 center who averaged 16.2 points and 11 rebounds per game and shoots 68 percent from the field.

The Central District Player of the Year, Hart and shared the Associated Press Player of the Year honor with Fairland’s Terra Stapleton.

Hart — a transfer from Lake Ridge Academy in North Ridgeville in Lorain County — has signed with Ohio State.

Two other players have signed Division I scholarships.

Detroit Mercy signee Darianne Seward is a 5-5 senior who averages 10.2 points and 4.0 steals a game.

Western Michigan recruit Alexis Parks is a 5-5 senior who averaged 8.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 seals and shoots 51 percent from her point guard position.

The other two starters are Kyrah Jones and Ayrielle Stith.

Off the bench is 5-7 senior Sierra Harley who averages 11 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals. She also shoots 51 percent from the field and is the team’s top 3-point shooter.

Africentric’s only losses were 64-62 to Homewood-Flossmor, Illinois, 58-52 to Huntington St. Joseph, and 47-44 to Toledo Rogers.

The Lady Nubians scored 100 or more points in a game five times and had two games of 90 and 97 points.