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style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>12:13
AM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Well, it was
another tremendous day of basketball at the Verizon Wireless Arena on the
campus of Virginia Commonwealth University as the Siegel Center played host to
some exciting action. We know three
teams, two on the boys side and one on the girls side,
that will be playing in the Final Four on Monday.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Boys
AAA State Quarters Final - - Henrico 65, Kecoughtan
64
Girls AAA State Quarters Final - - Lake Taylor 68, Highland Springs 55
Boys AAA State Quarters Final - - Wakefield 83, Mountain View 76
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A perfect 3-0 for my picks on the day it was.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I'll be back on Friday night from ODU for
LIVE Blogging of more AAA State Tournament Quarterfinals with Great Bridge
facing John Marshall in a Boys matchup and Princess Anne taking on L.C. Bird in
the Girls matchup.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>11:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Henrico
Warriors edged the Kecoughtan Warriors in dramatic
fashion, 65-64 in the AAA State Tournament quarterfinals at the VCU Siegel
Center, rallying from nine down to win with 3:45 left.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the numbers from
normal'>STATVA (www.statva.com) below.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Final
Stats:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico
Warriors 65:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> (28-2 Overall)
Timmy Jones - - 22Pts. 8-17FG, 5-6FT, 3Reb. 3Stl.
Marvin Smith Jr. - - 14Pts. 5-13FG, 2-2FT, 13Reb. 2Stl.
Jordon Talley - - 10Pts. 3-14FG, 3-3FT, 2Reb. (Fouled Out)
R.J. Moses - - 6Pts. 3-13FG, 4Reb.
De'Monte Buckingham - - 5Pts. 1-4FG, 2-2FT, 7Reb.
3Ast. 2Stl.
Warriors - - 22-67FG, 5-24 3's, 16-19FT, 35Reb. 9Ast. 9TO's, 2Blk.
9Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Warriors 64:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(25-6 Overall)
Rajay Bullock - - 18Pts. 5-9FG, 2-4 3's, 6-8FT,
10Reb. 4Stl.
Greg Alexander - - 18Pts. 5-11FG, 2-6 3's, 6-10FT, 5Reb.
Lawrence Williams - - 11Pts. 5-7FG, 1-2FT, 5Reb.
Marcell
class=SpellE>Haskett - - 9Pts. 3-7FG, 3-4FT, 5Reb.
Warriors - - 21-40FG, 5-16 3's, 17-28FT, 31Reb. 5Ast. 19TO's,
5Blk. 9Stl.
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1370175.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Henrico Coach Vance Harmon
Henrico's Tim Jones & Marvin Smith
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Final
Analysis:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Talk
about a gut-wrenching way to lose a game, Kecoughtan's
players and coaches are going to be feeling pain for a long, long time after
this one. Seemingly, the Warriors
out-played their Warrior counterparts from Henrico for 28 of the game's 32
minutes. However, Henrico had the heart
of warriors down the stretch, especially their senior leaders in Jones and
Smith with Talley out of the game.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Also stepping for Henrico were a few of their
supporting cast parts we can't forget about in Booker, Moses, Buckingham and
reserve Brandon Towner, whose steal enabled Henrico to claim the lead
late. Henrico played with so much
toughness in crunch time. A few key stats
of note that jump out to me . . .
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For one, Henrico made 10-of-11 from the foul line in
the second half, while Kecoughtan went just 9-for-17.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kecoughtan's 19
turnovers were too many, but worse than that was only two assists the whole
second half. They got into too much of a
one-on-one game, which gets teams in trouble, especially trying to close the
deal against a team with the resiliency and experience of playing in big gams
like Henrico has.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Furthermore, Henrico helped out its cause significantly
by keeping Bullock to single-digit free-throws AND out-rebounding
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan in the second half.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In a matchup that was billed as the speed of
Henrico vs. the size of Kecoughtan, one gave way at
the end, but in the other, Henrico didn't let Kecoughtan
exploit them inside when it mattered most.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:55
PM:
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> An unbelievable finish in the Group AAA State
Tournament quarterfinals as the Henrico Warriors have rallied from nine down
with 3:45 to play to stun, and I mean STUN, the Kecoughtan
Warriors tonight.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Down by three with 10.5 seconds to go, Providence signee
Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock took a three-pointer for
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan that missed, but he got his own rebound and
attacked the rim, where he scored for a deuce.
Looking for the foul, there was none, and from my vantage point, there
wasn't much if any contact. Time ran out
and Henrico survived to move on to Monday's State Semis, where they will play
either Battlefield or W.T. Woodson.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The most amazing thing about this comeback is that
Henrico did it without one of their main leaders at the guard spot in
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordon Talley, who fouled out.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But behind senior guard
normal'>Timmy Jones (who has the heart of a lion) made several big plays
down the stretch to set up Brandon
Towner's clutch steal and Marvin
Smith's go-ahead bucket.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>AAA BOYS QUARTERS FINAL SCORE - -
HENRICO 65, KECOUGHTAN 64
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have Final Stats and more in a little bit, stay
tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:50
PM:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
is trying to hang on, leading Henrico 62-61 with 1:12
left in what has turned into an exciting State Tournament quarterfinal battle
here at VCU.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock just rejected a Timmy
Jones shot a moment ago, but the Warriors can't turn it over or have a
defensive lapse or else Henrico will steal this game after trailing by nine
with 3:45 to play.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Under a minute to go and Kecoughtan
is trying to run out the clock. Can they
do it? Henrico is trying to steal this
one without senior Jordon Talley,
who fouled out. With 44 seconds to go,
Henrico's Brandon Towner, an unknown
reserve, gets a steal for Henrico.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Marvin Smith Jr. scores for Henrico to
give them the lead with 28 seconds to play, 63-62 on Kecoughtan.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Bullock
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>misses
a three-pointer for Kecoughtan and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Timmy Jones is fouled with 10.5 second
left. Jones makes them both and Henrico
is in the lead, 65-62. Now,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan's season is on the line and they have to get a
three-pointer to save it and force overtime.
normal'>
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"'>Well, maybe this
one isn't over just yet as Henrico makes three straight free-throws, and then
when Tim Jones misses on his second
foul shot attempt, he grabs the loose ball and sticks it back in to take a
nine-point deficit down to just 58-54 in favor of Kecoughtan.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We've still got 3:26 left in the ball-game.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
cannot get sloppy now because even with Jordon
Talley having fouled out, you know Henrico is going to look to press.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> With 2:25 left, it's Kecoughtan
on top 61-54 and the three-point shot needs to be Henrico's friend.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> There's Timmy
Jones firing up a trey and it's good to cut the Kecoughtan
lead down to 61-57 approaching two minutes left.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 2:06 to go, Henrico makes two at the foul line and
Kecoughtan hits 1-of-2.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kecoughtan is up
only three at 62-59. Now, it's down to
62-61 with 1:45 left after a steal by Henrico and
normal'>Ryan Pearson lay-up. The
crowd here in Richmond is getting into it and Kecoughtan
is starting to show some nerves down the stretch.
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"'>The
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan Warriors are in position to move on to the AAA
State Tournament Final Four on Monday against either Battlefield or W.T.
Woodson.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock hits two foul shots with 4:09 to play and he's been a true
Warrior tonight, taking a beating and some body blows all over the place.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Perhaps the most devastating thing that could happen to
Henrico just did as senior guard Jordon
Talley fouled out with 3:45 to go and the Warriors down seven.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Compounding matters is that he fouled
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander, Kecoughtan's
best shooter with nearly 70 3's on the year coming into this one, on a
three-point attempt. Alexander makes
2-of-3 to give Kecoughtan a 58-49 lead.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Henrico then hits a pair of free-throws with
3:30 to play, trimming that deficit to 58-51.
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"'>Free-throw shooting
is going to be monumental down the stretch my Internet friends.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kecoughtan is
nursing a seven-point lead with 4:22 to go and
normal'>Jordon Talley steps to the charity stripe.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Some blood on the arm of
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock it appears and about three or four assistants for the
Warriors rush, and I mean RUSH, over to him because they know that him leaving
the game for any extended period of time means the world could come to an end (
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>okay, I'm only joking about that part… but
my point is he means THE WORLD to them).
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bullock checks back in after Talley converts two
free-throws and Henrico drops back into its 2-2-1 press.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
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"'>At the start of the
fourth quarter, it's the Microwave Man, that's
normal'>Lawrence Williams, scoring a field goal for Kecoughtan
to give them a six-point advantage.
class=SpellE>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock adds to his steal total (he
has at least four) and then he makes 1-of-2 at the charity stripe to give
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan a 50-43 advantage.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
could've gotten a big defensive stop and an opportunity to go up by nine or
ten, but it's Marvin Smith with a
much-needed stick-back for Henrico. Even
though Kecoughtan has played a shaper game to this
point, Henrico is hanging around and will be awfully difficult to close out in
the final three or four minutes with the amount of senior experience they have
in Smith, Tim Jones and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordon Talley.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As long as Kecoughtan doesn't
succumb to the defensive pressure and gets it done at the free-throw line, they'll
be moving on to Monday's State Final Four against either Battlefield or W.T.
Woodson. Kecoughtan
leads it 54-47 with 5:37 to go after four straight points from ECU signee
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander, a real catalyst with
his stroke and calm demeanor.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:25
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To make a comeback,
it starts with defense and Henrico got a huge play courtesy of freshman
class=SpellE>De'Monte
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Buckingham, who draws a charge on a
drive by Marcell
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Haskett for
a lay-up that would've put Kecoughtan up 10.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Buckingham then gets a steal and finds
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Tim Jones for a lay-up and now
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan's lead is shrinking.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>You can sense the momentum shifting.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A block by
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock, which appeared to maybe be goal-tending, keeps
class=SpellE>Henriico from moving within one.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Blink once or twice and Henrico can go from
down nine to having a chance to tie the ballgame.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That's how fast they score.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Two three-point tries by Jones and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordon Talley that could've tied the
game are off the mark, and Kecoughtan will try to
hold onto a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The press by Henrico is starting to bother
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan substantially as the Warriors are playing shaky
with the basketball and turning it over or making ill-advised decisions.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Kecoughtan 47, Henrico 43
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"'>Believe it or not,
Henrico is having trouble stopping the ball as Kecoughtan
has pushed its lead up to eight at 46-38 with two minutes left in this third
quarter.
normal'>Marvin Smith Jr. briefly cut the Kecoughtan
lead to just three with 4:05 to go in the third quarter on a three-pointer, but
back came Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock, a guy that has that
determined look about him, trying to lead his team to a state title.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bullock drained a three-pointer, and then it was senior
power forward Kaelin
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Poe with a bucket in the low block.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> R.J.
Moses, a reserve that has been a vital contributor for Henrico all year
long, scored to cut the Kecoughtan lead to eight at
46-38.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With two minutes left in the third quarter,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan is still up by three possessions and Henrico has
to figure out a way to contain all of the weapons the Warriors from the 757
have, most notably Bullock.
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"'>To get back in the
game and erase this nine-point deficit, Henrico is going to need
some fast-break baskets and be able to hang with a much taller, longer
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan on the glass.
Henrico gets the first field goal of the second half thanks to
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Timmy Jones, but the Warriors of
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan answer that on a jumper from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Freshman
normal'>De'Monte Buckingham,
who has a solidly built frame for a ninth grader, connects from three-point
land for Henrico to trim the Warriors' lead to 39-33.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A travelling violation by Kecoughtan
with 4:28 remaining gives Henrico a chance to pull within four or even one
possession down on a three-point play.
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan's guards have to smart decision makers and
maintain their poise and composure to stay in front.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>10:05
PM:
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Well, an exciting first half is in the books
and it's Kecoughtan up nine on Henrico so far,
getting steady contributions from several different players.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A fantastic Henrico season is on the line
here and we'll see what they're made of in this second half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the numbers at the break from
href="http://www.statva.com">www.statva.com)
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Stats
at the Half:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> 37:
Lawrence Williams - - 9Pts. 4-6FG, 1-2FT, 4Reb.
Rajay
Bullock - - 8Pts. 2-2FG, 3-4FT, 7Reb. 2Blk. 3Stl.
Greg Alexander - - 8Pts. 3-6FG, 1-3 3's, 2Reb.
Marcell Haskett - - 6Pts.
2-5FG, 2-2FT, 3Reb.
Warriors - - 13-23FG, 3-10 3's, 8-11FT, 19Reb. 3Ast. 9TO's,
3Blk. 4Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico
28:
Tim Jones - - 6Pts. 3-7FG
Jordon Talley - - 5Pts. 2-8FG, 1-2 3's, 2Reb.
Stephen Booker - - 5Pts. 1-2FG, 3-4FT, 2Ast.
Marvin Smith Jr. - - 5Pts. 2-7FG, 6Reb.
Warriors - - 10-33FG, 2-12 3's, 6-8FT, 15Reb. 5Ast. 5TO's,
3Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico started to fall in love with the three-point
shot just a tad too much for my liking, but it's hard to fault them because of
how well Kecoughtan is protecting the rim with their
length and size affecting shots in the paint.
Bullock in particular has been a force as a shot blocker underneath,
plus is a problem offensively because of his inside-outside skills, draining a
three-pointer in that half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>If the Warriors of Henrico can't get someone to be a
go-to guy and take over offensively, it might spell doom.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That's a weird thing to say since balance is
the main reason for their success, but Bullock and Alexander together are quite
a tandem, and then Alexander is becoming a secret weapon off the bench with his
production as of late. The most
frightening thing for Henrico is they've turned Kecoughtan
over nine times and still trail by nine, which isn't a good sign if
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan doesn't turn the ball over much in the second
half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:58
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan Warriors are up by double-figures against the
Central Region Champion Henrico Warriors thanks to an 11-2 spurt in which the
Warriors got a pair of three-pointers from their two D-1 studs - -
class=SpellE>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock (Providence) and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander (ECU).
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Lawrence
Williams, a major sparkplug off the bench, also added a deuce in that
stretch.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Other than a couple of baskets from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>R.J. Moses in the second quarter, the
Henrico offense has been somewhat sluggish to say the least as they can't get
outside shots to fall like they did in the early moments of the first
quarter. They did have a chance with
under a minute to go to pull within five, but
normal'>Tim Jones' three-pointer bounced off the front of the rim.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bullock, who has been a monster defensively, swatting
shots and changing others, hit a free-throw before the end of the half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>AAA
Quarters at the Half - - Kecoughtan 37, Henrico 28
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have some numbers momentarily - - stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:53
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Slowly but surely,
Henrico is starting to ease its way back into this one to where
class=GramE>they have a shot to claim the lead before half-time.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That's exactly what Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Vance Harmon is hoping for, given that
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan has played a better first half to this point.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A leaner by
normal'>Timmy Jones pulls Henrico within a point.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A scary moment just a few seconds ago as Providence
signee Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock is off to the races before he
is fouled hard by Henrico's Jordon
Talley and hits the floor with a thud.
It wasn't a dirty play, but it did warrant a flagrant if you ask me just
because of where the contact was made. I
don't think it was intentional or meant in a malicious manner, but that should've
been called a flagrant because it came around the head area (
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>just my opinion).
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Nonetheless, the officials disagree (
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>that's why I'm not a ref and I definitely
don't want that job!!) and Bullock makes two at the foul line to push the
class=SpellE>Kecoughatn lead to 27-24.
Lawrence Williams makes
1-of-2 at the line to make it 28-24. I
sense a run is coming from one of these two sides, not sure which though.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:49
PM:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
is on a hot streak as three-point plays from reserve guard
normal'>William Askew, whose
confidence has grown as the season has progressed, and
normal'>Greg Alexander give those Warriors a 22-16 lead over the Henrico
Warriors nearing the 7 minute mark of the second quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meanwhile, Henrico has gotten kind of stagnant
offensively with only one field goal over a five minute stretch in this first
half. They will have to get someone on
their bench, maybe an R.J. Moses or
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ryan Pearson, to provide a pick-me-up,
much like Askew and Lawrence Williams have
done for Kecoughtan.
Marvin Smith Jr. breaks the
dry spell for Henrico with a field goal at the 6:15 mark, but Alexander answers
with a basket. Moses scores to cut the
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan lead to 24-20.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At the 4:12 mark of the second quarter, it's
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan on top 25-22.
normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:42
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To close the first
quarter, Lawrence Williams gets his
third field goal (fyi
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> - - he was 21-of-31 from the field over the
past three games at Scope) to give Kecoughtan a
lead, but underrated x-factor Stephen
Booker knots the score up at 16.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Kecoughtan 16, Henrico 16
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico has done a good job of locking down
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander, the #2 scoring threat
for the Warriors of Kecoughtan behind Providence
signee Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But the discouraging part of that for Henrico
is that he's bound to get his offensive game going at some point and they have
to be able to combat that in some way.
class=SpellE>Marcell
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Haskett is
really playing a solid game right now on both ends of the floor as the
sophomore is holding his own against the talented senior guards of Henrico,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Tim Jones and
normal'>Jordon Talley.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:37
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ivan Thomas of Kecoughtan
has to like how his squad has responded from a quick six-point deficit, finding
its footing and attacking the Henrico defense well off the
dribble as super sub Lawrence Williams has
provided instant offense once again for the Warriors from the Peninsula
District. Williams scores on consecutive
baskets to tie the game at 12-apiece, and then it's
class=SpellE>Marcell
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Haskett dishing
to an open senior forward
normal'>Kaelin Poe (rumored
to be headed to Catawba to play his College Hoops) for a two-handed flush.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>That gives Kecoughtan a 14-12
lead with 2:30 to go in the opening period and Coach
normal'>Vance Harmon of Henrico needs a time-out.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Both of these teams have the ability to score
points in bunches and this could be a game played in the 80's before it's all
said and done.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:32
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We are finally underway
between the Eastern Region runner-up Kecoughtan Warriors
(25-5) and the Central Region Champion Henrico Warriors (27-2) in a battle
between the #2 ranked and #1 ranked teams in the last VirginiaPreps.com AAA
Hoops State Top 25.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> These two programs are squaring off in the AAA
State Tournament quarterfinals with a Final Four appearance on Monday on the
line.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sophomore guard
normal'>Marcell
class=SpellE>Haskett scores the first two for Kecoughtan,
but back comes Henrico with three-pointers from senior forward
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Marvin Smith Jr. and senior guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordon Talley.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The Warriors lead it 8-2 until
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan gets baskets from Haskett
and Providence signee Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Timmy Jones
scores on two straight trips, the ladder coming on a great assist from
Talley.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Henrico leads it 12-8 with 3:40 to go and the pace is
fast and furious as expected. The
Warriors of Henrico (note, I have to identify
which 'Warriors' because both have that nickname) have beaten
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan back in transition on a couple of
occasions.
normal'>Stephen Booker is checking Bullock early on, while Talley is
covering sharp shooter Greg Alexander (69
3's), an ECU signee for Kecoughtan.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:16
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Before we get to
tip-off between Kecoughtan and Henrico, let's review
the numbers from the Girls AAA Hoops State Tournament quarterfinal, featuring
Lake Taylor and Highland Springs. The
Lady Titans moved on to Monday's State Final Four with the win.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Below are the numbers from
normal'>STATVA (www.statva.com).
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Final
Stats:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake
Taylor Lady Titans 68:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> (26-1 Overall)
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 36Pts. 9-25FG, 2-6 3's,
16-18FT, 4Reb. 4Ast. 3Stl.
Courtney White - - 11Pts. 4-10Fg, 3-7 3's, 3Reb. 4Ast.
Jordan Mitchell-Harmel - - 8Pts. 2-11FG, 3-4FT,
13Reb.
Kyara
Cooper - - 8Pts. 2-6FG, 2-5 3's, 2-4FT, 4Reb.
Lady Titans - - 19-59FG, 8-20 3's, 22-28FT, 33Reb.
class=GramE>10Ast. 6TO's, 6Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Highland
Springs Lady Springers 55:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(27-2 Overall)
E'Shay Winfield - - 16Pts. 6-16FG, 4-6FT, 6Reb.
Najai
Pollard - - 12Pts. 5-7FG, 2-5Ft, 7Reb. 2Blk.
Kermisha Clark - - 11Pts. 4-11FG, 3-4FT, 11Reb. 2Blk
class=GramE>.
De'June Robinson - - 8Pts. 3-6FG (Fouled Out)
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1370151.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Lake Taylor's Feyonda Fitzgerald
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:51
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Led by the trio of
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald,
normal'>Jordan Mitchell-Harmel and
class=SpellE>Endia
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> McKinney, the Lake Taylor Lady Titans are
now up double-figures, 55-43, on the Highland Springs Lady Springers.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Fitzgerald has scored 11 points in the fourth
quarter, while McKinney has made timely plays around the basket, whether it's rebounding
or defensively. And who could forget the
contributions Mitchell-Harmel has made by sacrificing
her body for not one, but two charges on defense.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Highland Springs' offense has been pretty much bottled
up in this fourth quarter, and another fine season for
normal'>Franklin Harris' squad will come to a close at 27-2 overall from
the looks of things. He's building a
program there and they will be a factor for years to come, so don't expect them
to disappear on the state radar.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Brianna Justice just picked her fifth
personal foul, so her night is done.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Unfortunately for Highland Springs, they haven't been
able to take advantage of getting in the penalty early and have struggled to
keep Lake Taylor off the foul line. It's
the Lady Titans in the lead, 58-50 with 1:06 left.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:42
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the fourth
quarter, Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald is picking up right where
she left off at the end of the third quarter.
She scores five straight points, including a three-point play the hard,
old-fashioned way, to extend the Lady Titans' lead to 47-41 on a Highland
Springs team that's trying to get back to the State Final Four for a second
consecutive year. Last season, the Lady
class=SpellE>Springers fell to Princess Anne in the State Semis.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Courtney
White
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>continues the hot shooting for Lake Taylor, this time
hitting from inside the three-point arc.
E'Shay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Winfield, who has been relatively
quiet offensively, hits a jumper for Highland Springs to cut the deficit down
to six at 49-43.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Jordan
Mitchell-Harmel
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>, one of the
hard-nosed players for this Lake Taylor team, draws yet another charge, her
second of the fourth quarter. She's done
that on countless occasions this season, and as Coach
normal'>Saundra Sawyer often says, if Jordan's in a fight with a bear, help
the bear. In all honesty though, she has
this drawing charges thing down to a science, perfecting it better than most
male players.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Lady Titans are in firm control, leading 51-43 with
4:15 remaining.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:34
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A basket by
Highland Springs' Najai
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Pollard cut the Lake Taylor lead to
just two in the final moments of the fourth quarter.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Perhaps the biggest shot of the game to this
point was then swished by Lake Taylor's
normal'>Feyonda Fitzgerald as
the Temple commit struck with six seconds to go in the third quarter to make it
a five-point lead.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor in that third quarter hit four
three-pointers, matching their total from the first half.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It's that kind of outside shooting with the
three-point shot being the great equalizer that can be enough for the Lady
Titans to move on to the State Final Four on Monday.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Lake Taylor Girls 42, Highland Springs 37
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Remember, after this one, it's the nightcap with
Henrico Boys taking on Kecoughtan for the right to
play in Monday's State Semis.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:27
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Highland Springs'
class=SpellE>Kermisha
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Clark nails a tough contested jumper
falling down to cut the Lake Taylor lead to 35-32 with
3:32 to go. Clark has been a vital part
of their success not only this year, but last season when they made their first
Group AAA State Tournament appearance.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor counters with their star,
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald, on a stop-and-pop jumper
with 2:04 to go. That gives the Lady
Titans a 37-33 lead.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Four fouls in a span of four minutes now has Highland
Springs in the penalty, shooting one-and-one the rest of the way with 1:25 to
play in the third quarter. That's not
good news for Lake Taylor, but the Lady Titans are able to get themselves to
the foul line to maintain a four-point advantage, 39-35, with under a minute to
go.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A great start to
the second half for the Lake Taylor Lady Titans as they add to their
three-point total with makes from long distance by Temple-bound guard
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald and forward
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordan Mitchell-Harmel
to grab a 31-27 lead on Highland Springs.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A tremendous pass by
normal'>Brianna Justice of Highland Springs to a cutting
class=SpellE>Kermisha
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Clark cuts the gap to 31-29.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That was one of the best passes I've seen all
day as it has some zing on it, but Lake Taylor isn't in awe because they answer
with another, you guessed it, three-pointer.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kyara
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Cooper
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>'s
trey makes it 34-30 for Lake Taylor, and the Lady Titans are shooting a couple
of free-throws with 3:34 to go in the third quarter to try to up their lead.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At some point, Highland Springs Lady
class=SpellE>Springers Head Coach Franklin
Harris is going to have to come out of that 2-3 matchup zone.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Don't forget,
coming up after this one it's the nightcap from VCU in the AAA State Tournament
Quarterfinals as we move back to Boys Basketball action with a heavily
anticipated matchup, featuring the Eastern Region runner-up Kecoughtan
Warriors and the Central Region Champion Henrico Warriors.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the numbers at the break with Highland Springs
up by a whisker on Lake Taylor's Lady Titans.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Stats
at the Half:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Highland
Springs 26:
Najai Pollard - - 9Pts. 4-5FG, 6Reb.
De'June
Robinson - - 8Pts. 3-6FG
Kemisha Clark - - 4Pts. 2-7FG, 8Reb.
Lady Springers - - 10-26FG, 1-5
3's, 5-7FT, 23Reb. 6Ast. 9TO's, 2Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake
Taylor 25:
Courtney White - - 9Pts. 3-6FG, 3-6 3's, 2Stl.
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 8Pts. 3-13FG, 0-4 3's, 2-3FT,
4Reb. 3Ast.
Kyara Cooper - - 3Pts. 1-3FG, 2Reb.
Lady Titans - - 9-32FG, 4-14 3's, 3-5FT, 18Reb.
class=GramE>5Ast. 3TO's, 2Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It was a scoreless second quarter for Fitzgerald, but
White stepped forward and supplied the offense.
Highland Springs is winning the battle on the boards, although they have
turned it over nine times and they want to be real careful not to let that
number creep up to 20 or above. For Lake
Taylor to win, they'll have to do something about Clark on the boards and get
her boxed out. They shot only 5-of-18
from two-point distance and I figure that will improve in the second half.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:04
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Earlier, I noted
that Lake Taylor yearned for a second scoring threat to step up alongside
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald.
normal'> Well, they got it in the
form of two deep three-pointers from Courtney
White, cutting the Highland Springs lead to 24-22 in the closing moments of
the second quarter.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Just what the doctor ordered for Lake
Taylor.
normal'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sophomore
normal'>Na'Jai Pollard
shows off some great touch on an elbow area jumper to push the Highland Springs
advantage back up to four.
class=SpellE>Kyara
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Cooper then strikes from behind the
arc and Highland Springs' lead is only one.
On the final possession of the half, the Lady Springers
go to Pollard on the baseline and she's off the mark.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>GIRLS AAA QUARTERS AT THE HALF - - HIGHLAND SPRINGS 26,
LAKE TAYLOR 25
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor closed that first half on a 9-2 spurt and
the Lady Titans are back in the ballgame.
The three-point shot has been a real plus for them all postseason long
and did wonders for them in that second quarter.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Some numbers to come in a few minutes.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:58
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Highland Springs is
starting to get some quality looks in deep and they are building on their lead,
now in front by two possessions on Lake Taylor's Lady Titans, who were
undefeated on the year until Monday night's loss to Princess Anne in the
Eastern Region Championship.
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald supplied eight of the 14
first quarter points for Lake Taylor and they need someone else to emerge as a
complementary weapon to her.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A basket from the foul line area by junior
class=SpellE>E'Shay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Whitfield, who recently pulled down 12
boards against Central Region contender Cosby, extends the Highland Springs
lead to 24-16 at the midway point of the second quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor can't get the outside shots to fall, and as
a result, they are starting to play a little panicky defensively.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Coach Sawyer probably just wants to get to
half-time down only a possession or two and then will make some tweaks in the
game-plan in an effort to stage a rally.
A much-needed three-pointer is dropped in by
normal'>Courtney White to cut the Highland Springs lead to 24-19.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:51
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through one quarter
of play in the Girls AAA Hoops State Tournament quarterfinals, Highland Springs
has closed on a flurry to claim a 16-14 lead thanks to a
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>De'June
normal'> Robinson three-pointer and bucket in the paint from sophomore
center Na'Jai
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Pollard, who was somewhat of an unsung
hero in their semifinal victory over Cosby in the Central Region Tournament
with nine points and eight boards.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Highland Springs Girls 16, Lake Taylor 14
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Am interested to see what adjustments Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Saundra Sawyer of Lake Taylor makes in
this quarter, and even more particular, after half-time.
normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:45
PM: Kermisha
Clark
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>, a senior guard for Highland Springs, hits a jumper
just inside the three-point arc to trim the Lake Taylor lead to 13-11 with 1:06
to go in the opening quarter. The Lady
class=SpellE>Springers have missed a handful of shots right at or near
the rim, plus defensively are leaving a few shooters open for Lake Taylor.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That being said, Coach
normal'>Franklin Harris can't be too discouraged because his team is well
within striking distance only down a deuce.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Fitzgerald
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>converts
at the foul line for the second time in this game and it's the Lady Titans up
15-11 with under a minute tog o in the first quarter.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The good news for Lake Taylor is the Highland
Springs guards have yet to find an answer for Fitzgerald defensively, which
could mean another 20-plus point night for her.
A three-point pops in and out and back in for
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>De'June
normal'> Robinson of Highland Springs.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:32
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We are underway in
the Girls AAA Hoops State Tournament between Central Region Champion Highland
Springs and Eastern Region runner-up Lake Taylor.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Clearly, it's a home-court advantage playing
on the VCU court for the Lady Springers of Highland
Springs and they get on the board first with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>De'June
normal'> Robinson's basket.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor answers back with a three-pointer from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Courtney White, followed by a
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordan Mitchell-Harmel
field goal. All of the sudden, it's
Lake Taylor leading 10-2 and Highland Springs is looking for some answers.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Lady Springers are going
to rely on their backcourt and speed with Robinson and junior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Brianna Justice.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Meanwhile, Lake Taylor has a dynamite guard
of their own in Eastern District Player of the Year
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald (Temple) and a couple of experienced forwards that
bring some good attributes to the table in
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Endia
normal'> McKinney and Jordan
Mitchell-Harmel.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We're about 15
minutes away from tip-off in the Girls AAA Hoops State Tournament quarterfinals
between Lake Taylor (25-1) and Highland Springs (27-1).
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I give Lake Taylor the slight edge, but this
one is a tough one to call. Regardless,
I do like the winner's chances of getting to the State Final and probably
against Princess Anne, who'll take on L.C. Bird tomorrow at the Norfolk Scope
in the other quarterfinal pitting Eastern Region vs. Central Region.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's review the numbers from Wakefield's victory over
Mountain View in the day's first AAA State Tournament quarterfinal at VCU's
Siegel Center.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Final
Stats:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wakefield
Warriors 83:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> (25-5 Overall)
Ermias Nega - - 32Pts.
11-14FG, 9-12FT, 13Reb. 3Ast.
Dominique Tham - - 21Pts. 10-13FG, 6Reb. 2Blk
class=GramE>.
Khory Moore - - 13Pts. 5-10FG, 2-2FT, 8Ast. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Re'Quan Hopson - - 9Pts. 2-3FG, 5-8FT, 3Reb.
Jalen Carver - - 7Pts. 2-4FG, 2-2FT, 5Ast. 4Stl
class=GramE>.
Warriors - - 30-46FG, 3-10 3's, 20-30FT, 33Reb. 17Ast.
18TO's, 3Blk. 9Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mountain
View Wildcats 76:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> (26-3 Overall)
Ben Keller - - 20Pts. 9-15FG, 2-6FT, 6Reb.
Joe Wilson - - 18Pts. 6-11FG, 2-4 3's, 4-6FT, 2Stl.
Lucas Brown - - 17Pts. 8-12FG, 6Ast. 2Stl.
Tyrell Mason - - 9Pts. 3-6FG, 3-4FT, 6Reb. 4Stl.
Tyrus Mason - - 8Pts. 2-6FG, 2-3 3's
Wildcats - - 29-52FG, 5-12 3's, 13-22FT, 22Reb. 9Ast. 17TO's,
1Blk. 11Stl.
href="http://www.rivals.com/uploads/914/1370131.WMA">Postgame Audio with Wakefield
Head Basketball Coach Tony Bentley
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:00
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 13 seconds to
go, Mountain View continues to fire away from three-point land and
class=SpellE>Tyrus
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Mason dials up yet another to cut the
Wakefield lead to 82-76. I lost track of
how much it was at one point, but I know it was around 20-something.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The Warriors haven't had an inspiring finish
in this one, though fortunately their offense was sharp enough for three
quarters to advance them on to the State Semis on Monday.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A sad ending to this one as a player from Mountain View
and one from Wakefield, couldn't tell who on each side (
normal'>and honestly don't want to know) were jawing at one another.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>AAA BOYS STATE QUARTERS FINAL - -
WAKEFIELD 83, MOUTAIN VEW 76
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have some Final Stats and Postgame Reaction in a
little bit. The Warriors are now 25-5 overall
and will take on the winner of tomorrow night's quarterfinal at ODU between
Great Bridge and John Marshall in Monday's State Semis here at VCU.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> With their win, Wakefield snaps Mountain View's
24-game winning streak.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Don't go anywhere because we've got a Girls matchup
next up in the quarters with Lake Taylor vs. Highland Springs.
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"'>Although their
24-game winning streak is going to come to an end and Mountain View's
tremendous season will finish at 26-3 overall it appears, let's give the
Wildcats some props for continuing to fight until the final horn.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> They have now gotten the deficit down to
single-digits, 79-70, with 35.1 seconds to go.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>But Wakefield is hitting just enough free-throws, the
latest two from junior guard
normal'>Jalen Carver, as
their offense has been pretty much unstoppable today.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Wakefield is on top 81-70 with under a minute
to go and the boisterous fans that made the trip down from Arlington are giving
their players and coaches a standing ovation, roaring
approval.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>By the way, I must say that people are camping out
outside here in the land of Shaka Smart, the Head
Basketball Coach of VCU, as they are waiting to get their tickets for the Rams'
game with Butler on Saturday. Word has
it that ESPN College Gameday is going to be in the
house, too.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:49
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tired legs are
starting to have their affect as a valiant comeback attempt by Mountain View
will likely come up short here as their deficit that grew above 20, but
Wakefield is still hanging in the lead, up 70-59 with two minutes to go after
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Joe Wilson's three-pointer for the
Wildcats.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The trio of
normal'>Ermias
class=SpellE>Nega,
normal'>Khory Moore and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Dominique Tham has
been superb for Wakefield. They've been
very offensive-minded, aggressive, yet under control and in a rhythm all game
long.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let me give some kudos to Mountain View junior point
guard Lucas Brown.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Although his numbers may not be the greatest
here at night's end, he is one of the best passers I've seen all year.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He plays with a great basketball IQ.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:41
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>No time-outs have
to hurt Mountain View as they starting to inch back in this thing, but might
not have enough time to stage an amazing rally.
Tyrus
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Mason, who was scoreless in the first
half for Mountain View, drills a three-pointer to cut the Wakefield lead to
60-44 midway through the fourth quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>All Wakefield has to do is continue to ice the clock as
much as they can before taking shots and they'll be in good shape.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
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"'>Wakefield continues
to execute whatever they want and need offensively and continue to cruise, up
double-figures. The Warriors close the
third period with a three-pointer from junior guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jalen
normal'> Carver.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Wakefield 56, Mountain View 39
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through three quarters of action, Wakefield is still
shooting right around the 60% mark and I'm not sure Mountain View can score
enough if the Warriors get to the 70-point mark.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:25
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wakefield Head
Basketball Coach Tony Bentley has to
love what he's seeing as even the Warriors' reserves are getting in on the act
offensively. Wakefield is now up 50-34
with just over two minutes to go in the third quarter and this game has become
a rout.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Barring a collapse of monumental proportions, and I
don't think it's going to happen twice, Wakefield will be moving on to the
State Final Four here at VCU on Monday against Great Bridge or John Marshall.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Warriors have done a really good job of mixing up
its defensive presses, going to a 2-2-1 look and 1-2-2 on a few possessions to
speed up Mountain View and get them to play how they want.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> By game's end, Mountain View's main starters
are probably going to be sucking wind.
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"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kevin Brown of Mountain View asks for a
time-out less than two minutes into the third quarter as Wakefield has come out
of the locker room strong, going to the post three consecutive possessions and
seeing sophomore center Dominique
class=SpellE>Tham score on all there.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brown has exhausted all of his time-outs with 4:08 to
go in the third quarter and the deficit has swelled to 15.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Fatigue is starting to set in for Mountain
View as well as junior point guard
normal'>Luas Brown, the
Northwest Region POY, looks visibly tired.
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"'>Some numbers at the
break courtesy of Chris Jones and
href="http://www.statva.com">
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>www.statva.com
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>)
as the Wakefield Warriors look to make it to the State Final Four for the first
time since 2005 when they saw their undefeated season come to an end in the
State Semis vs. Landstown.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Stats
at the Half:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wakefield
35:
Ermias Nega - - 11Pts.
4-5FG, 2-2FT, 5Reb. 2Ast.
Khory Moore - - 9Pts. 4-7FG, 3Ast.
Dominique Tham - - 9Pts. 3-4FG, 3Reb.
Warriors - - 15-23FG, 2-7 3's, 3-3FT, 13Reb. 9Ast. 11TO's,
4Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mountain
View 28:
Lucas Brown - - 10Pts. 5-7FG, 2Ast.
Joe Wilson - - 7Pts. 2-3FG, 2-2FT
Ben Keller - - 6Pts. 3-7FG, 3Reb.
Wildcats - - 11-20FG, 1-3 3's, 5-8FT, 7Reb. 2Ast. 10TO's,
7Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2-10 assist-to-turnover ratio
is very unlike Mountain View. But the
good news for the Wildcats is they are down only seven after being
out-rebounded by six and allowing the Warriors to shoot a blistering 65.2% from
the floor. Wakefield has gotten 10
points off turnovers though as well as 15 more points off either fast-break
buckets or second chance.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Wakefield, they have to continue to ride their main
trio of Moore, Tham and Nega
to the finish line. They also can't get
complacent because they've had a big lead in their last game and it
evaporated. Shot selection will be
important as will making sure they don't get too fast for their own guard where
it leads to sloppy, out of control play.
Mountain View has to start making this a half-court some way and it may
take them coming out of their 1-3-1 zone and using some selective traps.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:00
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Friendly reminder,
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Follow
LIVE UPDATES on Twitter @ hatfieldsports
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
as well this evening just in case the Internet starts to lag or I can't refresh
the Blog fast enough. We've got you
covered in multiple places fans!
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"'>Wakefield senior
guard Khory
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Moore is starting to heat up from the
perimeter, which is nothing new considering just five days ago he nailed six
three-pointers in the first half and finished with 37 points in his team's
overtime loss to W.T. Woodson in the Northern Region Championship.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Also in a groove shooting the ball is senior
teammate Ermias
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Nega, who
scores a three-pointer and a fast-break bucket to push the Warriors' lead to
29-24.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sandwiched in that sequence was a three-pointer from
Mountain View senior Joe Wilson, but
once again, the tempo is going to mighty fast, maybe too up-tempo for the
Wildcats. Coach
normal'>Kevin Brown asks for his third time-out of the first half (
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>keep in mind that
normal'>Tony Bentley, Coach at Wakefield, has yet to call one).
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Out of the time-out, Moore strikes from long
range and gives Wakefield a 32-26 lead approaching two minutes left in the
first half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wakefield has a chance to get this up to
double-figures, but as they found out against Woodson, you can never have too
big of a lead and think it's safe. They
have to keep their foot on Mountain View's throat in the second half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mountain View has
done a nice job to re-gain their composure after letting Wakefield go on a 12-3
run in that fist quarter.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Lucas Brown gets a steal and a lay-up
to cut the Warriors' lead to one, and after
normal'>Dominique Tham can't finish inside off an
offensive rebound, Mountain View takes the lead as senior
normal'>Joe Wilson makes them pay at the other end.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brown does have a couple of wild, semi out of control
drives to the hoop and they need to make sure they play at the pace they
want. Coach
normal'>Kevin Brown, Lucas' dad, will call a second time-out of this first
half with the Wildcats trailing Wakefield 20-19 with 5:23 until intermission.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Out of the time-out, there's that guy again, Moore
intercepting a pass and taking it in for a lay-up to push the Wakefield lead
back up to three.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wakefield is really
getting some high-percentage looks against that Mountain View 1-3-1 zone
defense in the painted area as sophomore 6-foot-4 center
normal'>Dominique Thamb is making them pay as
well as his front-court teammate,
normal'>Ermias
class=SpellE>Nega.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The Warriors are starting to speed
Mountain View up more than they want.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Warriors lead it 18-13 after Tham's
latest bucket; they're on a 12-3 spurt now that they've settled down.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> However, Mountain View would close the
quarter with junior guard Lucas Brown making
a terrific drive, blowing by his defender and then having the presence of mind
to find an open Ben Keller cutting
to the hoop for the deuce. Getting to
see Brown for the first time live, he's pretty impressive and may have a shot
to play low D-1 College Hoops after his senior season.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Wakefield 18, Mountain View 15
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:40
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Well, Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kevin Brown isn't too pleased now as
the Mountain View Wildcats give up a stick-back to
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ermias
normal'> Nega, and then star guard
class=SpellE>Khory
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Moore, the National District Player of
the Year for Wakefield, gets a steal and lay-up to tie it up at 10-all.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>After leading by four, Mountain View is now down two
after allowing the Warriors to go on a 6-0 run and Coach Brown calls a
time-out. Coach
normal'>Kevin Bentley has to like how his team was able to press Mountain
View into a turnover and that the score is starting to climb up.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> If it gets above 60, that definitely favors
the Northern Region runner-up Warriors.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:35
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Early on, Mountain
View seems to be controlling the pace of things.
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Both teams came out scoring well early with
Northwest Region Player of the Year Lucas
Brown scoring the first bucket for the Wildcats and forward
class=SpellE>Ermias
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Nega, an All-Northern
Region First Team pick, knotting it up for Wakefield.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Re'Quan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Hopson
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>,
the junior for Wakefield who hit the game-winner against Langley in the
regional quarterfinals, gets in the scoring column early for the Warriors as
well.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lucas
Brown
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>, junior guard for the Wildcats and son of Head Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kevin Brown, responds with a nice
driving lay-up, and then Tyrell Mason gets
a steal that turns into a Ben Keller transition
bucket. Coach Brown has to like how his
team is operating, ahead 10-6 with 4:07 to go in the first quarter.
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"'>Friendly reminder,
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Follow
LIVE UPDATES on Twitter @ hatfieldsports
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
as well this evening just in case the Internet starts to lag or I can't refresh
the Blog fast enough. We've got you
covered in multiple places fans!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:25
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hello everyone and
welcome to another LIVE Blog here on VirginiaPreps.com as we bring you updates
and analysis of tonight's Group AAA State Tournament quarterfinals from the
Verizon Wireless Arena in Richmond at the Sigel Center on the campus of
Virginia Commonwealth University.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here's the Schedule for this evening and below are my
Picks along with some Cool Links to check out at your leisure.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
AAA State Quarters Schedule for Thursday 2/28/13 at VCU:
5:30 PM (Boys) - - NW #1 Mountain View (26-2) vs. NR #2 Wakefield (24-5)
7:00 PM (Girls) - - CR #1 Highland Springs (27-1) vs. ER #2 Lake Taylor (25-1)
8:30 PM (Boys) - - CR #1 Henrico (27-2) vs. ER #2 Kecoughtan
(25-5)
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hatfield's
Picks:
Wakefield Boys by 3, Lake Taylor Girls by 5, Henrico Boys by 3
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A blowout in any of these three games would quite
honestly surprise me.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
Cool Links: *
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Indicates
Premium Content
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1477862">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>AAA Quarterfinals Preview of
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan/Henrico
normal'>
*
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>AAA Quarterfinals Preview of Mountain
View/Wakefield
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> *
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>What We Learned - - Eastern Region
Semis
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> *
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1476695&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Monday's Eastern Region Championship
Live Blog
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1476766&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Recap of Eastern Region Championship
with Great Bridge/Kecoughtan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> *
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1476135&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sunday's Eastern Region Semis Live
Blog
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1475678&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Friday's Central Region Semis Live
Blog
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1475186&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Thursday's Eastern Region Quarters
Live Blog
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1474790&PT=4&PR=2">
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wednesday's Eastern Region Quarters
Live Blog
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
What We Learned - - Day 1 at Scope *
"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"'>
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
href="http://www.twitter.com/hatfieldsports">
normal'>
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 updates,
href="http://www.suffolknewsherald.com">
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Suffolk News Herald
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>.
href="mailto:hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com">
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>, and don't forget to listen to him
href="http://www.espnradio941.com/">
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>ESPN Radio 94.1
class=MsoHyperlink>
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>,
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
href="http://www.cox11.com">
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'>Cox 11 Sports Report
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>.
normal'>