Memphis Overton basketball beats Independence for first TSSAA state championship

MURFEESBORO – Memphis Overton made history Saturday at Middle Tennessee State's Murphy Center.

It's finally bringing a gold ball trophy back home.

Overton defeated Independence 69-57 for the boys basketball program's first TSSAA Class 4A state championship. It came in the school's second tournament appearance and first since 1963.

The Wolverines (33-11) took a four-point lead at halftime and poured it on in the second half.

Jordan Frison, a Class 4A Mr. Basketball finalist, was the Class 4A state tournament MVP. He had 19 points in the final, his lowest point total of the week by eight points. Frison, who is unsigned, scored 82 points in the tournament on 27-of-53 shooting from the field. He was 24-of-29 from the free throw line and had 30 rebounds and 20 assists in the Wolverines' three state tournament games.

Overton's Xavier Alexander added 17 points and 13 rebounds. Jailen Hardaway had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Jett Montgomery led Independence with 21 points on 7-of-21 shootings. Teammate Josh Owens had 13.

TSSAA SCOREBOARD:TSSAA basketball championships boys state bracket, scores

The Class 4A championship is the school's second team state championship in school history. Overton also won the 1984 Class A/AA boys track and field team title.

Reach Tom Kreager at tkreager@gannett.com and on Twitter @Kreager.