Lawson Classic Live Blog
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style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>11:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Well, another fun
day of basketball has come to an end at the Fifth Annual William Lawson Classic
at Petersburg HS. Be sure to check back
for more from the event from my colleague Will
Garlick.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Below are the Final Stats from L.C. Bird's 67-60 come-from-behind
victory over Petersburg.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>L.C.
Bird:
Kenny Williams - - 25Pts. 8-16FG, 8-8FT, 8Reb.
JaVonte Reddick - - 12Pts. 4-4FT, 4Reb. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
C.J. Miles - - 12Pts. 4-4FG, 2-2 3's
Ty Wallace - - 6Pts. 2-4FG, 3Ast.
Thomas Taylor - - 5Pts. 7Reb. 5Blk.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Petersburg
class=GramE>:
Gevon Arrington - - 17Pts. 7-15FG, 3-4FT, 10Reb.
Frankie Barksdale - - 10Pts. 4-7FG, 2-4 3's, 3Stl.
Earl Adams - - 8Pts. 7Reb. 2Ast.
Khalid Morris - - 7Pts. 2-4FG, 3-3FT, 4Reb.
Gemonta Jackson - - 5Pts. 6Ast.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1355800.WMA">Postgame Audio with
L.C. Bird Coach Troy Manns
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bird avenges their regional semifinal loss to
Petersburg from a year ago with the win and now gears up for a critical week,
where they will take on James River and Cosby, the two teams they are battling with
for the Dominion District regular season title.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>11:00
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It is now over and
the L.C. Bird Skyhawks have defeated the Petersburg
Crimson Wave in the finale at the William Lawson Classic to move to 12-2
overall. Petersburg drops to 10-7
overall. Needless to say it was a very spirited,
competitive battle to the end.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>FINAL - - L.C. BIRD 67, PETERSBURG 60
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kenny
Williams
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>led the way for Bird with 25 points.
style=> More reaction and Final Numbers to come . . .
stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Petersburg ties the
game back at 60 with 1:03 to go on Gevon Arrington's
basket; he's been oh so clutch tonight.
style=> L.C. Bird gets a free-throw from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Thomas Taylor to back ahead, and then
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Malik Johnson comes up with a steal,
gets fouled and hits 1-of-2. Johnson and
Carlos Thrash have been real pests
in this Bird defense, causing Petersburg to turn the ball over regularly in the
fourth quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>L.C. Bird leads it 62-60 with 32 seconds left, but
Petersburg has a shot still. Well, not
so much now as Kenny Williams gets a
steal on the Wave's ninth turnover of the quarter, leading to a bucket and a
foul. Williams pushes the Bird lead up
to 65-60 with 24 seconds to go.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Energizing the
defense for L.C. Bird right now is Malik
Johnson, sophomore guard and younger brother of former Skyhawks
standout Robert Johnson, who's now at Benedictine.
style=> His steal and lay-up knot the score at 56
approaching the 3 minute mark.
class=GramE>Another good take by Earl
Adams for Petersburg, sliding his way past defenders to the basket for a
deuce to put Petersburg back up.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kenny
Williams
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>ties the score at 58 and then a long missed
three-pointer by Petersburg, rebound by the little guy C.J. Miles turns into a lay-up by Ty Wallace, his first points of the night with 1:55 remaining to
give Bird the lead back at 60-58.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:40
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Defense fuels
offense, and in the case of L.C. Bird, it has taken them from behind seven only
25 seconds into the fourth quarter up a point, 52-51 with 5:49 to play
following steals by Carlos Thrash and
Javonte
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Reddick leading to
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kenny Williams buckets.
style=> Thrash and Malik Johnson served as the middle men on assists on the break.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Petersburg has to be able to take care of the ball
against this Bird press because if they don't, they're going to lose a
heart-breaker. Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rick Hite of Petersburg spoke to me
earlier in the day about how they have to be able to cut down on the number of
their turnovers, but more importantly the ones that lead to easy buckets on the
other end in order to win the Capital District and make a playoff push.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Earl
Adams
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>has settled down the Crimson Wave in the half-court and
Petersburg is back in the lead at 55-52 with 4:05 to play.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:35
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Moments into the
fourth quarter, Frankie Barksdale delivers
a crucial three-pointer for Petersburg to push their advantage up to seven at
51-44. L.C. Bird is known for its
outside shooting much more than Petersburg, but the two teams are even in makes
from beyond the arc, three apiece.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bird has made four straight free-throws, slowing the
game down just a pinch to where they are only one possession behind, 51-48 with
6:19 to play. The more they can get
Williams and Reddick to the foul line, the better their odds are of a
comeback. Meanwhile, Petersburg is
trying to move to 5-0 in the Lawson Classic.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A phenomenal play
and what presence of mind by Petersburg sophomore guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gemonta Jackson at the 1:40 mark of the third quarter as he was falling
out of bounds, got a steal and threw the ball behind his back, yet up ahead to
a teammate, Gevon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Arrington, for a fast-break bucket to
push the Crimson Wave lead to 46-40.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>L.C. Bird can't seem to get either of their two main
scoring threats, senior guard JaVonte Reddick or
sophomore wing Kenny Williams, on
track after a nice first period. Credit
the Petersburg defense for making some adjustments and not letting those guys
get clean catch-and-shoot opportunities.
Frankie Barksdale connects on
a jumper for Petersburg right before the end of the third quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
of 3rdQ - - Petersburg 48, L.C. Bird 42
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To be able to hold on, Petersburg will have to keep
Williams and Reddick off the foul line in crunch time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 3:43 to play
in the third quarter, Petersburg is in front 42-35 against L.C> Bird, which
came in with a record of 11-2 overall and one of the top ranked teams in the
state. A victory here in front of the
home faithful would serve them very well as they get ready for the homestretch
in the Central District.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Petersburg is doing a terrific job of isolating
class=SpellE>Gevon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Arrington in the right spots on the
floor, particularly getting him to move without the ball going towards the painted
area where he's getting favorable matchups.
Perhaps the State of the Night to this point is that 10 different
players have scored for Petersburg, which is getting excellent balance.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sophomore guard C.J.
Miles is heating up for L.C. Bird in this third quarter with five points
and really become their main source of offense along with Malik Johnson, a tiny guard that is making plays off the dribble
and via the pass as well.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the second half,
L.C. Bird needs to maximize JaVonte Reddick's
touches and shot opportunities.
style=> He got a cut in the first half and had to go
out for a while, but made 3-of-4 shots in the first half and could be a
difference maker over the final two quarters if he can get hot.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bird begins the second half going to the big man,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Thomas Taylor and he converts.
style=> Petersburg answers with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gevon Arrington following a miss for two.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Wave are certainly one tough cookie to make crumble
in this building, a place they seldom ever lose in and their offense is
performing about as well against a quality opponent tonight as it has all year,
getting contributions from several different players.
style=> The unsung hero for them in the first half
was sophomore guard Gemonta
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Jackson, who didn't score but played
steady defense and handed out four assists.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Momentum riding
with the Crimson Wave here at Petersburg High School as they
close the first half on an 18-3 run over the last 3:14 to go from down 10 to up
five. An improbable sequence of events,
and the only fortunate part for L.C. Bird in their terrible finish to the half
is they have two quarters to make up for it, but Petersburg played with a lot
of passion, energy and hustle during that stretch.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Buckets by Marius
Watson and Frankie Barksdale tied
the score late in the half, and then James
Byers scored and was fouled to give the Wave the lead with eight seconds to
go. Byers missed the free-throw, but
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Khalid Morris (5 points, 3 boards off
the pine) was Johnny on the Spot by
grabbing two offensive boards, following his miss and scoring while drawing a
foul.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At
the Half - - Petersburg 36, L.C. Bird 31
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>'Ain't No Stopping Us
class=GramE>Now,' one of the all-time classics, is being played over the
loudspeaker at Petersburg High (so
picture in your head me bobbing my head as I type this Blog!).
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Couple quick numbers of note - - Petersburg had 12
offensive rebounds in the first half, most of them coming in the second period,
and they turned it over only once in the second quarter, while all three of
Bird's second quarter turnovers led to Petersburg points.
style=> Bird didn't turn it over once in the first
quarter.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gevon Arrington has 9 points and 7 boards for Petersburg.
style=> Bird is led by Kenny Williams' 12 points and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>JaVonte Reddick has chipped in 6.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:55
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As long as L.C.
Bird doesn't fall in love with the three-point shot to where it could lead to
some Petersburg transition buckets, the Skyhawks will
go into the half with a multiple possession lead on the road, something they'll
gladly take since this is one of the most challenging environments to play at
in the state.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>But a Bird lead that was 10 with 3:15 to go in the
second quarter has been sliced in half I on
class=SpellE>ly a span of 1:01, and a
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Quadree Walker rebound off a missed free-throw turns into a lay-up by
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Marius Watson at the other end,
followed by a Bird turnover and Gevon Arrington
steal. Arrington gets fouled and just
like that Petersburg can pull within two with 1:52 to go in the period.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Major props to sophomore forward Khalid Morris for coming off the bench with hustle and energy,
giving Petersburg a spark and one of their starters a breather.
style=> Petersburg has raised its defensive intensity
and a bad spell of play has Bird just trying to get to half-time with a lead
instead of up double-figures. That's a
big change.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Just what
Petersburg didn't need was fouling Kenny
Williams on a three-pointer. Calm
and composed, Williams drains all three to extend the Bird lead to 20-11 early
in the second quarter. But what
Petersburg really needed was a three-pointer to fall to make up for it and they
got that from Frankie Barksdale, the
Dinwiddie transfer who has the ability to score some in bunches.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Right now the rebounding battle is a wash, which
class=GramE>is a plus for Petersburg given that Bird has 6-foot-7
sophomore Thomas Taylor in the
middle. While the Wave
class=GramE>are dribbling into traffic a good deal, 6-foot-3 junior
class=SpellE>Gevon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Arrington has bailed them out a couple
times with timely buckets. The
class=SpellE>Skyhawks are still in control in this one, leading 25-18
with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter.
style=> Check that, now 28-18 Bird after a Williams
three-pointer; he's now got 12 points.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:40
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through quarter of
play in the nightcap of the William Lawson Classic, L.C. Bird leads Petersburg
15-11. Most impressively is the fact
that Bird didn't turn the ball over one time that period and did a fairly
effective job of pressuring the basketball on defense, much to the delight of
Coach Troy Manns
I imagine.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Rick
Hite's
Crimson Wave are getting better offensive efficiency than they have been, but
their defense must be able to solve this puzzle of Kenny Williams and JaVonte Reddick,
a 1-2 punch on the perimeter that has already accounted for 10 points for Bird
and likely won't be slowing down.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We are underway in
the final game of the Fifth Annual William Lawson Classic at Petersburg High
School between the host Crimson Wave (10-6) and the visiting L.C. Bird
class=SpellE>Skyhawks (11-2; 7-1).
Big thanks to Jimmy
class=SpellE>Tynes and Johnny
Pope for having me on their pre-game show and you can check out their work
on urbanpetersburg.com and WTPS AM 1240.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Now to the action on the court and L.C. Bird sophomore
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kenny Williams has scored six of the
first 10 points for the Skyhawks, clinging to a 10-9
lead with 3:37 to go in the first quarter.
Williams is not only athletic and a great slasher,
but he's got terrific court awareness and is smooth.
style=> Senior guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>JaVonte Reddick, who earlier in the week had 31 points and seven treys in
a game, nails a pair of jumpers, utilizing the pump-fake for one.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Petersburg has come out clicking well offensively to
start, much more than the last couple of times I've seen them live.
style=> Gevon Arrington has
a couple of early field goals and Kaimonne Douglas banked
a three-pointer, followed by a driving lay-up from Earl Adams. If the Wave can
reduce the number of turnovers they've had, this team will be a handful for
anyone come tourney time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:40
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It is a near packed
to capacity crowd here at Petersburg High School in the William Lawson Classic
and they're watching their former star with the Crimson Wave,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Frank Mason, now with
class=SpellE>Massanutten Military Academy play his final game in this
gymnasium. Mason, of course, will go on
to play his College Basketball at Kansas in the Big 12.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>There are several, and I do mean several, next-level,
physically well-built players in this game, which Massanutten
leads over Queen City Prep (NC) 47-37 with just over 12 minutes remaining in
the contest. When this one is done,
it'll be the host Petersburg Crimson Wave (10-6; 7-2) taking on the L.C. Bird
class=SpellE>Skyhawks (11-2; 7-1) in the nightcap.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's now in the
books, and the John Marshall Justices have defeated the Green Run Stallions to
improve their record to 13-3 overall.
Green Run drops to 13-5 overall.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>FINAL SCORE - - JOHN MARSHALL 67, GREEN
RUN 57
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some Final Stats of note . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>John
Marshall:
Brian White - - 18Pts. 6-7FT, 12Reb.
Gee Dean-McBride - - 13Pts. 5Reb. 7Ast.
Jeremy Sheppard - - 11Pts. 2-2 3's, 3Ast.
Quaman Burton - - 9Pts. 3-7FG
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Green
Run:
Jamaal Matin - - 14Pts. 4-7FG, 5Reb.
Keon Buchanan - - 13Pts. 6-11FG, 4Ast. 6Stl
class=GramE>.
Tyler Blount - - 12Pts. 2Ast.
Demetri Wilson - - 7Pts. 3-4FG
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1355554.WMA">Postgame Audio with
John Marshall Coach Ty White
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Stay tuned, we've got two more games to come.
style=> One more game we'll be blogging about and
that's the nightcap between the host Petersburg Crimson Wave and the L.C. Bird
class=SpellE>Skyhawks in the William Lawson Classic!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 36 seconds
left, John Marshall looks to be in good shape, ahead 64-57 on Green Run as they
have gotten solid play inside with Brian
White, the Citadel signee, producing a double-double as well as steady play
from point guard Gee Dean-McBride running
the team, creating shots for himself and others.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Off the bench, freshman Jeremy Sheppard has put up 11 points and the Justices are much
crisper offensively than they were at this time a month ago, a sign that they
could be a force to be reckoned with come tournament time in the Central
Region.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>On the Green Run side of things, the Stallions are
going to fall to 13-5 overall, but every game to this point that they've lost
has been by six points or less, so they're not too far off from being a threat
in the Eastern Region. Many of their
flaws and errors are correctable.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:55
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the fourth
quarter, Green Run is starting to generate some easy points off turnovers.
style=> Keon Buchanan finds
freshman Sterling Carrington inside
for the deuce and Lequan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Thomas kicks it out to
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jamaal Matin for
a three-pointer. All of the sudden, that
John Marshall lead of 15 over Green Run is down to eight at 53-45 with 5:56
remaining . . . and the Stallions have as many points this quarter than they
had in the entire third quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>John Marshall continues to get high-percentage looks at
the rim and I don't see them blowing this lead completely as long as that keeps
up because the Justices score points in bunches so well.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Justices from
John Marshall appear to be on their way to 13-3 overall as they closed the
third quarter on a 16-5 flurry with Gee
Dean-McBride driving and dishing for his seventh assist, finding
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Aaron McCrae for a three-pointer.
style=> Green Run can't get quite enough easy baskets
to make this thing close, and they've been to the foul line only four times,
also compounding matters.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Dean-McBride has 10 points and six boards to go with
his dimes. Freshman Jeremy Sheppard is giving JM a lift off the bench with 8 points as
well.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Keon Buchanan is leading Green Run with 11 points thus far.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:45
PM:
style=> John Marshall is back in firm control as
freshman guard Jeremy Sheppard shows
the sweet shooting touch and some range, nailing his second shot from behind
the arc to push the Justices' advantage to 37-28 on Green Run.
style=> They follow that up with Gee Dean-McBride's penetration, resulting in a bucket for himself
and his sixth assist, finding teammate and standout forward
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Brian White.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Ty
White
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>'s Justices are ahead 41-28 with 2:33 to go in the
third quarter and Kenneth Harris'
Stallions need a strong finish going to the fourth period or else JM will
slowly but surely pull away here. Their
defense must trigger some easy baskets off turnovers because they're finding it
too hard to score in the half-court against JM with their guards having subpar
shooting performances thus far.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:35
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the second
half, John Marshall adds to its lead with a jumper from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Quaman Burton; he has knocked down a couple of key open shots for the
Justices, now ahead double-figures.
Green Run comes right back with Keon Buchanan nailing
a three-pointer to cut the deficit down to 32-24.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The biggest adjustment Green Run needs to make is
probably offensively, not settling for as many jumpers and defensively try to
contain Brian White without fouling
much. John Marshall has to continue to
keep Stallions point guard Lequan Thomas out
of the paint and make him give it up sooner than he wants, plus crowd
Buchanan's space better.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Stallions are on a mini run as Jamaal Matin scores to follow
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Tyler Blount's first field goal and the
JM lead is down to 32-28 nearing the 5 minute mark.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Just when Green Run
thought they were clawing back in it behind athletic Class of 2014 wing
class=SpellE>Keon
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Buchanan (6 points, an assist and 3
steals this half, playing aggressive and under
control), the Stallions can't hit a game-tying three-pointer and John Marshall
makes them pay by going on a run.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Instead of being tied at 21-apiece late in the half,
John Marshall goes on a 9-1 spurt that begins with Nate Williams scoring off a Gee
Dean-McBride drive. Citadel signee
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Brian White delivers down low against
Green Run's Shaun James, who played
good D' that possession, it was just better offense.
style=> Quaman Burton then
strikes with a three-pointer.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At
the Half - - John Marshall 30, Green Run 21
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>White is leading the way for the Justices with 10
points, three boards, while Dean-McBride has supplied 8 points, 4 boards and 5
assists. The Justices are 11-of-21 from
the field compared to 8-for-25 for Green Run.
The Stallions got 8 points from Buchanan and 6 points from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jamaal Matin.
style=> To rally, they'll need their backcourt of
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Tyler Blount (18.2PPG)
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Lequan Thomas to step it up; they're only 1-of-10 from the floor with
four points combined.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At the end of the
opening quarter, John Marshall leads Green Run 16-9 and really have clamped
down well defensively on the Stallions, limiting them to 3-of-9 shooting.
style=> More than anything else though, they are
playing inside-out, getting the ball to Brian
White down low and drawing fouls.
They're also getting sophomore Nate
Williams, who's 6-foot-6, ample minutes in this first half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Green Run is settling a bit too much for the outside
jumper and will need to start driving more with point guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Lequan Thomas. Right now, guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gee Dean-McBride is being very
assertive attacking the Stallions off the dribble and providing the Justices
with instant offense. JM's first
three-pointer from freshman Jeremy
Sheppard allows them to push the lead to 21-14 with 4:31 to go until
half-time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With their offense
off to a somewhat sluggish start, Green Run gets a pick-me-up from three-point
land by junior wing Jamaal
class=SpellE>Matin to cut the John Marshall lead down
class=GramE>to one with two minutes to go in the opening quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>John Marshall answers with a couple smooches off the
glass by Dominique Terry and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gee Dean-McBride.
style=> If the Justices' guards play consistent and
make good decisions, this team will be an extremely tough out in the playoffs.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:55
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Well after a long
delay with John Marshall being stuck on the highway we're finally underway
between the Justices and Green run Stallions at Petersburg HS in the William Lawson
Classic.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Right away, John Marshall is making a point to get the
ball inside to Citadel signee Brian
White, one of the best low post forces in the Central Region and the state
for that matter. White scores the game's
first four points to bolt the Justices out to the early lead.
style=> Green run comes right back with an athletic
move going to the rim by junior wing Keon Buchanan to
slice the lead in half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Not good news for Green Run is the fact that freshman
post player Sterling Carrington, who
got the starting nod today, picked up two quick fouls only 24 seconds into the
action. That brings in
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Shaun James off the bench and the
Stallions will need both him and sophomore Kevin
Holmes to keep White at bay without getting in foul trouble themselves.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's now in the
books and the Brunswick Bulldogs keep their stellar season going with another
quality victory over the Thomas Edison Eagles here the William Lawson Classic
at Petersburg High School, moving their record to 14-2 overall.
style=> Edison drops to 6-9 overall, but the Eagles
figure to be a factor in both the National District and Northern Region before
it's all said and done.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>FINAL SCORE - - BRUNSWICK 62, EDISON 47
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some Final Stats of note . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brunswick
class=GramE>:
Brandan Stith - - 22Pts.
7Reb. 2Ast. 2Blk.
B.J. Stith - - 15Pts. 7Reb. 5Ast. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Isreal Stith - - 11Pts.
5Reb. 5Ast. 4Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Edison
class=GramE>:
Chief Amoah - - 16Pts. 5Reb. 3Stl.
Lasalle Mensah - - 13Pts.
4Reb. 2Ast. 2Stl.
Markus Brumsey - - 11Pts.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's just say the Stith's
stole the show.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://www.rivals.com/uploads/914/1355519.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Brunswick Coach Bryant Stith
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Next up, it's the John Marshall Justices (12-3; 10-1)
versus the Green Run Stallions (13-4; 4-2) in what could be a potential State
Tournament quarterfinal matchup.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:00
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Thomas Edison would
be even closer than they are right now, trailing Brunswick 55-43 with 3:08 to
go if their three-point shooting was a smidge better.
style=> The Eagles are 2-of-15 from deep, but guards
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Chief Amoah,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Markus Brumsey and
Lasalle
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Mensah have
done a really sound job of driving to the cup considering how well Brunswick
plays defense.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In that third quarter, Brunswick held Edison to just
six points and only two field goals. The
Bulldogs were over-passing early on, but they've found their groove and been
very patient, taking care of the basketball ever since that slow start.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>By the way, please forgive me for any spelling errors,
the band is deafening in here at times so thinking and typing simultaneously
can be quite a task.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Three quarters in
the books and Brunswick leads Edison 49-38 in the second game at the William
Lawson Classic.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Brandan Stith and B.J. Stith have combined for 28 points,
10 boards and five assists, affecting the game in so many ways.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Next up after this one, it's the Central Region taking
on the Eastern Region with the John Marshall Justices playing the Green Run
Stallions. It's a re-match from the
Championship of the Hampton Roads Fall League, where John Marshall edged Green
Run in double-overtime.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the third
quarter, Brunswick picks up where they left off, and in addition to the strong
inside play of Brandan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Stith (ECU)
and all-around gifts on the perimeter of B.J.
Stith (UVA),
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Isreal Stith is making things happen,
displaying great body control.
class=SpellE>Brandan makes a terrific move along the baseline and that
pushes the Bulldogs' lead to 41-36 nearing the midway point of the second
period.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Edison isn't going away quietly and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Markus Brumsey connects
on a mid-range jumper to keep the Eagles close.
Brunswick is so fundamentally sound and they aren't giving Edison any
second chance opportunities when they do miss.
Edison has only three offensive boards and they aren't really deep, so
fatigue may set in during the fourth quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brunswick is up nine with 1:30 to go in the third
quarter and Edison needs to close the quarter strong because a double-digit
deficit is hard to overcome versus the Bulldogs because they don't make a whole
lot of mistakes.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:35
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We've reached
half-time in the second game at the Lawson Classic and it's turning out to be a
really competitive, interesting battle between the Brunswick Bulldogs and
Thomas Edison Eagles.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>HALF
- - Brunswick 35, Edison 32
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some quick numbers of note . .
. Brandan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Stith has 12
points, four jams and four boards to lead the way for the Bulldogs.
style=> B.J.
class=SpellE>Stith goes to the break with 10 points, four boards and
three assists. For Edison, their guards
are keeping them in the game with Chief
class=SpellE>Amoah's 11 points,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Lasalle Mensah's
8 points and Markus Brumsey
style='font-weight:normal'>'s 6 points.
style=> Edison also has only five turnovers.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:25
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Thomas Edison is
weathering another Brunswick run as guard Markus
Brumey gets some 'oohs' and 'aahs'
from the crowd with a crossover move to the cup and finish, followed by
class=SpellE>Lasalle
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Mensah
notching a steal and deuce to trim the Bulldogs' lead to 25-24.
style=> Earlier in the quarter when it appeared
Brunswick was able to distance themselves some from the Eagles,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Drew Lakey nailed
an important three-pointer.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Edison guards are doing a good job of getting into
the lane and creating contact and scoring opportunities in the paint.
style=> Against a team with the size and talent of
Brunswick, who's not your ordinary AA squad and an
always well-prepared bunch under Coach Bryant
Stith, that's a positive sign for the Eagles.
style=> A tear-drop by Chief Amoah cuts the Brunswick lead to
31-28 until the Stith brothers go to work - - UVA
commit B.J. Stith
first with a great, instinctive attack move to the cup, and then East
Carolina commit Brandan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Stith with
another flush on a lob, his fourth of the half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The second quarter
is underway and Edison seems to have recovered fairly well.
style=> They can't quite get their other standout
junior guard, Markus Brumsey,
on point just yet as he is just 1-for-5 from the field and will need him to get
hot to keep pace. The speed of the game
is picking up and that seems to favor Brunswick, which is
also getting much more active defensively, shooting the passing lanes and using
their physicality to their advantage.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Isreal
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Stith
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>is
giving the Bulldogs quite a lift with his defense and passing as he now has two
assists and three steals, providing some punch in the backcourt.
style=> Brunswick now lads it 22-20 as we tick under
the 5 minute mark of the second period.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Our second game of
the day in the Lawson Classic is underway between the defending Group AA State
Champion Brunswick Bulldogs, coached by former UVA standout and NBA player
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Bryant Stith,
and the Thomas Edison Eagles, who made it to the Group AAA State Tournament
quarterfinals last year under Coach Terry
Henderson.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Out of the gate, Edison jumps out to a 7-4 lead thanks
to junior guard Chief
class=SpellE>Amoah, showing off some slick moves going to the
basket. Amoah
scored seven of Edison's first nine points and Brunswick has come out over
passing just a bit, whereas Edison is mixing it up well defensively with their
2-3 zone defense, trapping along the sideline and making the Bulldogs work for
those points.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brandan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Stith
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>has
thrown down a couple of nice, forceful two-handed jams to bring Brunswick back.
style=> Stith will play his
College Basketball at East Carolina, and as I've noted many times before, is
the perfect description of 'mid-major skills, high-major motor.'
style=> His younger brother, junior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>B.J. Stith,
is set to play his College Basketball at UVA.
B.J. knots the score at 15 to end the first period with a three-pointer,
his second of the quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the first game
of the day, the Phoebus Phantoms bounced back from a loss the night before to
Heritage in the Peninsula District by recording a much-needed out-of-district
victory, 73-61 over Cesar Chavez from Washington, D.C.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>FINAL SCORE - - PHOEBUS 73, CESAR
CHAVEZ 61
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Leading the way for Phoebus, Josh Davis scored 25 points with 19 coming in the first half.
style=> Davis added a career-high 22 rebounds as
well. Howard signee James Daniel III scored 20 points.
Khaaliq
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fletcher came close to a triple-double
with 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1355512.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Phoebus Coach James Daniel
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Phantoms led from wire to wire and were in front by
19 to start the fourth quarter. With the
win, Phoebus is now 9-6 overall. Earlier
in the week, the Phantoms took down Kecoughtan,
ranked #1 in the latest AAA Hoops State Top 25.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Phoebus definitely has three explosive scoring weapons
in Davis, Daniel and Fletcher that can strike at any time.
style=> Davis' athleticism has been impressive, going
back to our Fifth Annual VirginiaPreps.com Classic two weeks ago at Virginia
Wesleyan College. As long as he
continues to put up numbers like that, he'll start to garner more interest for
the next level.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We are Blogging
LIVE from the William Lawson Classic at Petersburg High School as
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Will Garlick and
myself are taking in some exciting basketball action, featuring some marquee
players and teams from different parts of the state.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>If you want to check out more on the event,
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1461540">see this link
that went up earlier.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the meantime, stay tuned for updates and
observations throughout the weekend from this event and be sure to
href="http://www.twitter.com/hatfieldsports">Follow HatfieldSports
on Twitter for scores and notes as well!
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'>Matthew Hatfield
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>
serves as State Basketball Analyst for
href="http://www.virginiapreps.com">
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>VirginiaPreps.com
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>, part of the Rivals.com
Network. Check out
href="http://www.twitter.com/hatfieldsports">
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Hatfield's Twitter page
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> for more sports related info and
updates. To contact Matthew, please
e-mail
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'>hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com,
and don't forget to listen to High School Sports Talk every Saturday from 10AM
to Noon on
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'>ESPN Radio 94.1
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>
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