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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, another day
of Eastern Region Tournament Hoops is in the books and the 2013 tourney at the
Norfolk Scope will come to a close on Monday night.
style=> Champions will be crowned, but regardless,
four teams have moved on to the Group AAA State Tournament - - Great Bridge and
Kecoughtan Boys, Lake Taylor and Princess Anne Girls.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://www.vhsl.org/doc/upload/bkb-2013-super-site-quarterfinals-schedule.pdf">See
the Complete VHSL State Tournament Quarterfinals Schedule Here
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here's the lineup for Monday night . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6
PM Girls Championship - - #1 Lake Taylor (25-0) vs. #1 Princess Anne (27-1)
8 PM Boys Championship -- #1 Kecoughtan (25-4) vs. #1
Great Bridge (24-3)
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Eastern Region Champions and runner-ups will face
off against the Central Region in the State Tournament quarterfinals.
style=> Their title games are on Monday night as well
with L.C. Bird playing Highland Springs in Girls for the Championship, followed
by Henrico vs. John Marshall in the Boys Championship.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>I'm 14-0 on my predictions on the Boys side in the
Eastern Region Tournament and 41-5 in the entire state at the AAA level.
style=> Not included is my 4-2 mark on the Girls
side. Below are my picks for Monday
night . . .
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hatfield's
Picks:
Princess Anne Girls by 4, Kecoughtan Boys by 7
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>What's interesting is that both of these matchups are
re-matches from last year's regional tournament.
style=> A year ago, Kecoughtan
defeated Great Bridge in the quarterfinals, 56-53.
style=> Kecoughtan has lost
its last three Eastern Region Championship games (1994 to Churchland,
1995 to Indian River and 2012 to Hampton).
The Warriors' last region title was in 1992.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meanwhile, Princess Anne's Lady Cavs defeated Lake
Taylor in the semifinals, 65-52. PA has
won five straight meetings in the regional tournament over Lake Taylor, though the
Lady Titans beat PA in their lone encounter in the State Tournament in 2010 in
the State Championship game.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>My VirginiaPreps.com colleague
normal'>Rod Johnson, who has some Photo Galleries from these games you
should check out on Facebook, will be Blogging Live on Monday night for the
Eastern Region Championships while I do some TV work alongside
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>John Castleberry for Cox 11.
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"'>The Championship
games in the Eastern Region are set for Monday night, before we get to that and
a wrap-up let's review the Final Numbers from our pal
normal'>Mike Whittington of STATVA (
href="http://www.statva.com">www.statva.com), one of the hardest working
men in the business this week.
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"'>Kecoughtan
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Warriors 58:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(25-4 Overall)
Rajay Bullock - - 18Pts. 2-7FG, 14-14FT, 15Reb. 2Ast.
2Blk.
Greg Alexander - - 16Pts. 4-12FG, 3-8 3's, 5-6FT, 5Reb.
Lawrence Williams - - 13Pts. 6-12FG, 1-1 3's, 4Reb. 2Stl.
Marcell Haskett - - 4Pts.
1-5FG, 2-3FT, 4Ast. 4TO's
Warriors - - 16-42FG, 4-12 3's, 22-25FT, 36Reb. 8Ast. 16TO's,
2Blk. 7Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's
Fork Bulldogs 48:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (23-5 Overall)
Byron Taylor - - 12Pts. 5-8FG, 1-3FT, 3Reb. 3Stl.
Rod Parrett - - 11Pts. 2-8FG, 7-8FT, 2Reb. 2Ast. 3Stl.
Akanni White - - 11Pts. 4-8FG, 2-2FT, 2Reb. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Jacorey Smith - - 8Pts. 3-9FG, 2-4FT, 2Stl.
Bulldogs - - 17-41FG, 2-10 3's, 12-19FT, 18Reb. (4Off.),
5Ast. 13TO's, 11Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1368681.WMA">Postgame Audio with
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan Coach Ivan Thomas
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Nothing is more impressive than Bullock's perfect
14-of-14 from the foul line. That's
automatic, clutch, use whatever adjective you want to describe the highly
skilled forward who's a matchup nightmare and a mismatch for whoever the
Warriors play. Now, Kecoughtan's
16 turnovers, this coming one game after they turned it over 17 times in the
quarters vs. Western Branch. However,
their defense on the inside was great.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Warriors out-rebounded King's Fork by a 2-to-1
ratio at 36-18 and gave the Bulldogs hardly any second chance
opportunities. Having guys like Bullock,
Kaelin Poe and Justin Lipscomb who are long and tall
make it difficult to score in the painted area.
Furthermore, Alexander's sharp second half along with Williams' spark
off the bench for a second straight game gave the Warriors enough offensive
punch.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork really had another fine season, losing for
a second year in a row to a Peninsula District power in the regional semifinals
that may go on to win the regional title and a State Championship.
style=> The Bulldogs had won 21 of their last 23
before this defeat ended their season.
Foul trouble Taylor, Smith and Donte Ralph
added up, and King's Fork couldn't get any easy baskets (only 2 fast-break
points in the second half.).
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:22
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 28.9 seconds
to go, Greg Alexander drains two
crucial free-throws for Kecoughtan, which is now up
double-figures on King's Fork and appear headed to be State Tournament bound for
a second year in a row. The Warriors are
going to be moving on to Monday night's Eastern Region Championship against
Great Bridge and improve their record to 25-4 overall.
style=> A wonderful season for King's Fork ends at
23-5 overall.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>BOYS SEMIS FINAL - - KECOUGHTAN 58,
KING'S FORK 48
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's note that the crowd throughout the day here at
Scope was much better than in the quarterfinals on Wednesday and Thursday.
style=> Overall, from the looks of it, the attendance
was fairly strong.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Back with some Final Stats in a few . . . then we'll
wrap up this Sunday evening!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>I must say that
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan is not closing this game on a vengeance like a
State Championship caliber team should do as they continue to let King's Fork
stay in this one. The Bulldogs trail
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan only 48-44 with 2:37 to go after
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rod Parrett's two free-throws.
style=> It's not a matter either of the Warriors
expended so much energy in the third quarter to get back in the game that
fatigue is showing; they are just not handing the defensive pressure extremely
well in terms of getting the ball in the right guy's hands.
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"'>makes
two foul shots to push the Warriors to make it a six-point lead, followed by
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander's lay-up with 2:17
remaining.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jacorey
normal'> Smith gets a steal though and King's Fork isn't out of it, but
they're going to need a quick defensive stop or points off turnovers to stay in
it with the Warriors up 56-48 now with 51.8 seconds left following two crucial
field goals from super sub Lawrence
Williams, who had a steal sandwiched in late here.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The ball-handling
and decision-making has been somewhat shaky for Kecoughtan's
guards down the stretch here. They are
letting King's Fork hang around in the game, and teams that do that (
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>just ask Norcom
the other night), tend to get burned every now and then.
style=> As long as the Warriors execute at the foul
line though and get the necessary stops, they'll be in okay shape.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kudos to freshman guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Deshaun
normal'> Wethington - - love how the little guy,
one of the area's football standouts to watch in years to come at running back
- - competes. Sophomore point guard
class=SpellE>Marcell
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Haskett of
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan pushes the lead back to eight and then
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rod Parrett makes two foul shots for
King's Fork with 3:44 to go to make it 46-40.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
lead is anything but safe right now.
They have to continue to get the ball into the hands of
class=SpellE>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock to put this one away and
clinch their State Tournament berth.
Speaking of Bullock, he is headed to the foul line with 3:19 to
play. Both
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jacorey
normal'> Smith and Byron Taylor,
two of King's Fork's main seniors, have four fouls apiece.
style=> Taylor scores inside for King's Fork with
3:09 to play and the Kecoughtan lead is only six,
48-42.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the fourth
quarter, Kecoughtan's
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock, the Providence signee and front-runner to be named
Eastern Region Player of the Year, has started to take this game over.
style=> Bullock is affecting the game offensively,
where he is scoring inside and outside, plus defensively, where he's making
whoever shoots the ball for King's Fork have to fall away on their jumper.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bullock scores the first two baskets of the fourth
quarter and it's a 43-34 lead for Kecoughtan on King's
Fork with six minutes to go. A basket
here and the Warriors can probably ice this thing up double-figures nearing the
five minute mark. They miss, Bullock
blocks a shot at the other end, but
normal'>Donte Ralph of
King's Fork is Johnny on the Spot with the put-back.
style=> That trims the lead to 43-36.
style=>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Greg
Alexander
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>makes 1-of-2 at the foul line to push it up to
44-36. King's Fork really could use a
three-point play, and it's Byron Taylor driving
for the deuce and drawing the foul.
Taylor makes the foul shot to cut the Kecoughtan
advantage to 44-38 with 4:49 left.
Taylor misses the free-throw. The
Bulldogs are one basket away from making this thing very interesting.
style=> It's a long way from being over.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:59
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through three
quarters, the Kecoughtan Warriors have taken the lead
with a 18-7 spurt in that third period, keyed by their
1-2 punch of Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock and
normal'>Greg Alexander. The two
future Division I players really stepped up their play like senior leaders are
counted on during the postseason.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork has five seniors who have been here before
and are hungry to get to the State Tournament, so they are sure to go on a run
at some point in the fourth quarter. How
Kecoughtan handles that and being able to keep their
composure with the physical play, bump-and-grind style is vital to staying in
front when the Bulldogs do go on a run.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:54
PM:
style=> We're starting to see a much crisper looking
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan team this third quarter than the one we saw in
the first half.
normal'>Greg Alexander shows excellent elevation and a textbook release on
a three-pointer that pushes the Warriors' lead to 35-30 with 2:22 to go in the
third quarter on King's Fork.
style=>
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"'>needs
to stop reaching though because he picked up his second foul and almost got his
third in this quarter alone. However, it
does indicate the two fouls this quarter he's been more aggressive these past
few minutes. Bullock is starting to give
King's Fork's energy guy and junkyard dog Byron
Taylor some problems in the high post; Taylor has three fouls now with 1:04
to go in the third period.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Akanni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> White
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>gets
a much-needed floater to fall for King's Fork to cut the Kecoughtan
lead to 35-32.
normal'>Rod Parrett makes a shot at the rim after two Bullock
free-throws. The Warriors will hold for
the final possession of the quarter.
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"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Josh Worrell of King's Fork recognizes
his Bulldogs need a time-out and gets one with 3:41 to go in the third quarter
as his team trails Kecoughtan 32-29.
style=> The Warriors are starting to get backdoor
plays, action in the post and get to the foul line to disturb the pesky King's
Fork defense. All the Bulldogs have to
do is settle itself down, make sure they take care of the ball and go at the
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan bigs to try to get
them in foul trouble.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A turnover by King's Fork out of the time-out is now
what they needed as the Warriors look to extend their 11-2 run to begin the
half. At the same time for the Warriors,
they can't relax now that they've taken the lead because King's Fork is one of
the best at pouncing on a team when they sense a sign of weakness or a team
getting comfortable.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:45
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ivan Thomas has to like what he's seen
the first few minutes of this third quarter with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock (Providence) making a couple of free-throws and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander (ECU) nailing a
three-pointer to slice the King's Fork lead down to
27-26 at the 6:58 mark of the third quarter.
It was a great play run by Kecoughtan where
King's Fork doubled down on the post and they had Alexander on the same side,
free to strike from 3.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sophomore point guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Marcell
normal'> Haskett, who battled foul trouble in the
first half, gets an offensive rebound off a Bullock missed 3 and puts it in for
two. Defensively, Kecoughtan
has also gone to its trademark 2-3 matchup zone that has worked wonders for
them in the second halves this year late in the season.
style=> Bullock drills a pair of free-throws and the
Warriors are now in front, 30-29 on King's Fork.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Remember though, King's Fork was down nine with under
five minutes to play in regulation in the quarterfinals of regionals versus
class=SpellE>Norcom and rallied.
The Bulldogs aren't going away without a fight.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:39
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The King's Fork
Bulldogs have been hot as of late, winning 21 of their past 23 games with the
only losses in that stretch coming against Great Bridge (who they might face on
Monday night for the regional title) and Suffolk rival Nansemond River.
style=> They lead the regional tournament favorite,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan at the break.
Here are the numbers . . .
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"'>King's
Fork 27:
Akanni White - - 9Pts. 3-5FG, 2-2FT, 2Reb.
Jacorey
Smith - - 6Pts. 2-3FG, 2-4FT
Byron Taylor - - 5Pts. 2-2FG
Bulldogs - - 9-17FG, 2-5 3's, 7-10FT, 10Reb. 3Ast.
9TO's, 6Stl.
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"'> 21:
Rajay Bullock - - 4Pts. 0-4FG, 4-4FT, 6Reb.
Greg Alexander - - 3Pts. 1-7FG, 1-5 3's
Kaelin Poe - - 3Pts. 1-2FG, 1-2FT, 1Reb.
Warriors - - 7-21FG, 2-6 3's, 5-6FT, 13Reb. 4Ast. 10TO's,
6Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>So far, the Bulldogs have done an incredible job on
defense against Bullock and Alexander.
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan must get those two guys going or they'll be in
serious trouble. King's Fork is getting
to the foul line more and holding their own on the boards against a team that
is bigger and longer than them.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Turnovers have been a problem for both teams, and the
team that makes the most mistakes will ultimately come up on the short end of
the stick. Those wondering about King's
Fork's legs shouldn't because they got two days of rest following that
double-overtime comeback win over Norcom.
style=>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
has to extend the game and up the possessions though in order to win.
style=> Getting Bullock to the foul line consistently
in the second half is important as is finding other ways to get Alexander
points with his jump shot not falling (i.e. moving without the ball, pull-up J,
getting to the foul line).
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:32
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Although
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan has come out flat offensively, they are still
within striking distance and have a chance to heat up and take the lead in the
second half. Sharp shooter
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander finally gets one to go
from long range after missing his first four behind the arc to start the
game. That three-pointer with 1:07 left
in the second period cuts the King's Fork lead to 25-21.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 18 seconds to go in the second quarter, freshman
point guard Deshaun
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Wethington attacks
the goal and dishes to an open Wallace
class=SpellE>McDowney underneath for two.
style=> That pushes the Bulldogs' lead to six.
style=>
normal'>Rajay Bullock then
misses two shots from close distance to close the half, and he's visibly
frustrated as he and his teammates head to the locker room.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Half
- - King's Fork 27, Kecoughtan 21
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have some stats in a few, stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:28
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As poor as
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan has played and as well as King's Fork has
played, the Warriors are only down a point, 17-16 with three minutes to go in
the first half, after junior reserve Brandon
Tabb gets a steal, and Will Askew finds
Kaelin
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Poe underneath for an easy deuce.
style=> On the play before that with 3:47 to go in
the first half, Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock gets his first points of the
game at the free-throw line.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork takes momentum right back with senior guard
Jacorey
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith scoring, then getting a steal
and making 1-of-2 at the foul line. Another
senior guard, Akanni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> White, makes perhaps one of the
biggest shots of the first half with a three-point from straight away distance
to push their lead back up to seven at 23-16 with 2:06 left in the second
quarter.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander, one of the best
shooters the state has to offer, still can't find the touch from deep.
style=> That will have to change for
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan to get back in this game and win to take on
Great Bridge on Monday night for the region title.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:22
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Major props to
Coach Josh Worrell and company at
King's Fork. The Bulldogs are playing
some really physical, scrappy defense and Kecoughtan
is totally out of rhythm offensively.
The Warriors need someone other than
normal'>Lawrence Williams (7 of their first 10 points), believe it or not,
to give them some scoring punch.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Will Askew hits a jumper near the top
of the key to close the gap to 15-12.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bulldogs are continuing to pile up the fouls, the
second coming no Williams and Ivan
Thomas will leave his energizer in the game with 5:29 to go before
intermission. King's Fork's energizer,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Byron Taylor, continues to shadow
Bullock, both on the perimeter and when he goes into the paint.
style=>
normal'>Akanni White got
his second field goal of the game moments ago and
normal'>Rod Parrett converts a pair of free-throws to push the King's Fork
lead to 17-12 with 4:50 to play in the first half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>If you told
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan that neither
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock (Providence signee) nor
normal'>Greg Alexander (ECU) would have scored in the opening
class=GramE>quarter, they might tell you that they are down a
dozen. But the Warriors only trail by
four as it appears King's Fork will hold for the quarter's final shot.
style=> The bad news is that Kecoughtan
has turned it over at least eight times, which is more than they have points to
this point.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lawrence
Williams
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>is keeping Kecoughtan in the
game, nabbing a steal and scoring a lay-up, cutting the King's Fork lead to
11-9. Driving to the cup before the horn
sounds is King's Fork senior point guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Akanni
normal'> White for a lay-up to push the Bulldogs lead up to four.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - King's Fork 13, Kecoughtan 9
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bulldogs Coach Josh
Worrell has to be pleased with the start and how
normal'>Byron Taylor is defending Bullock, keeping him off the glass and
getting in his chest early. As
discouraging of a start as it has been for Kecoughtan,
they are only down four with eight turnovers and neither of their two studs
scoring.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:11
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Needing some kind
of offensive spark, guard Lawrence
Williams gives it to Kecoughtan off the bench
with a three-pointer as he continues to do his best Vinnie Johnson (ex-NBA
player that was a super sub for the Detroit Pistons) or better yet, Travis
Berry (going back to Coach Thomas' days at T.C. Williams) impression.
style=> Williams' three-pointer trims the King's Fork
lead to 9-5 midway through the opening quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork is doing a masterful job defensively of
keeping the Kecoughtan bigs
away from the basket, and in particular, tri-Player of the Year in the
Peninsula District Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock, who is scoreless thus
far. Williams gets a lay-up to cut the
Bulldogs' advantage down to 9-7, but the Warriors continue to turn it
over. To beat King's Fork, you can't
keep turning it over because they will capitalize.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Sophomore point guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Marcell
normal'> Haskett picks up his second personal
foul with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter and that will force
Coach Thomas to go back to his bench.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The action is
underway here at the Norfolk Scope between Kecoughtan
and King's Fork in the Eastern Region Tournament semifinals, where the winner
gets to face Great Bridge. King's Fork
is hoping it's an All-Southeastern District Final and to deny
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan a second straight State Tournament berth.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bulldogs are the aggressor in the opening minutes,
up 8-2 on Kecoughtan barely two minutes into play as
the Warriors have come out very sloppy and sluggish.
style=> Byron
Taylor hits a three-pointer out of the gate and the Warriors' main
three-point shooting weapon, Greg
Alexander (ECU signee), has missed his first two from long distance.
style=> All-Southeastern District First Team
selection Jacorey
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith adds to that lead with three
points and Taylor gets a steal and deuce.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
is a turnover machine early on and Coach Ivan
Thomas doesn't like what she's seen, taking his jacket off
immediately. The Warriors have to settle
down or else they'll be down double-figures.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We've got
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan (24-4) vs. King's Fork (23-4) in the Eastern
Region Tournament semis coming up in about 10 minutes here from the Norfolk
Scope. The winner takes on Great Bridge,
who knocked out last year's State Champ Hampton earlier today in the regional
semifinals, in tomorrow night's Eastern Region Championship, which can be seen
on television later on Cox 11 TV by the way.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some Keys to Victory for this game for King's Fork - -
keep Providence signee Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock off the boards and out of the
paint, crowd Greg Alexander's
shooting space and get back in transition defensively.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Kecoughtan, their Keys
include - - make King's Fork a three-point shooting team, don't let them get to
the foul line regularly and put Bullock or an integral starter in foul trouble
and force the Warriors into some turnovers via the 2-2-1 full-court press.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tip is 10 minutes away - - we'll be back momentarily!
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"'>So Lake Taylor's
Girls remain undefeated, edging Woodside in a thriller here at the Norfolk
Scope in the Eastern Region Tournament Semis.
The Lady Titans next take on Princess Anne's Girls, Monday night at 6:00
PM, in the Championship game of the Eastern Region.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the numbers from
normal'>Mike Whittington of STATVA (
href="http://www.statva.com">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 52:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (25-0 Overall)
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 23Pts. 8-20FG, 3-9 3's, 4-5FT,
4Reb. 2Ast.
Endia McKinney - - 14Pts. 6-14FG, 2-5 3's, 8Reb.
class=GramE>(8Off.), 2Ast.
Jordan Mitchell-Harmel - - 7Pts.
2-8FG, 3-6FT, 13Reb.
Lady Titans - - 19-53FG, 7-23 3's, 7-11FT, 34Reb.
class=GramE>8Ast. 9TO's, 1Blk. 3Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Woodside
Lady Wolverines 51:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (26-2 Overall)
Adrienne Motley - - 31Pts. 13-25FG, 2-4 3's, 3-6FT, 4Reb.
Kemonei
Earp - - 11Pts. 5-8FG, 1-4Ft, 9Reb. 3Ast. 2Blk.
Aianna Kelly - - 7Pts. 2-4FG, 3-3FT, 6Reb. 2Ast. 4Stl
class=GramE>.
Lady Wolverines - - 21-48FG, 2-4 3's, 7-13FT, 29Reb. 9Ast.
9TO's, 2Blk. 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1368607.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Lake Taylor Lady Titans Coach Saundra Sawyer
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The three-point line was big for Lake Taylor, finishing
+15 in that category despite losing the battle in Points in the Paint and
Fast-Break Points to Woodside.
Additionally, Lake Taylor turned it over just nine times and got a great
effort on the offensive glass with 20 boards, 34 in total.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the battle between stars in Motley and Fitzgerald,
Motley had more points, but Fitzgerald made hers matter late with the go-ahead
three-pointer and her team's undefeated season on the line.
style=> She deserves a ton of credit for her
playmaking all year long. A great career
in Motley, one of the best players in PD history, comes to a sad end.
style=> In the end, Fitzgerald's supporting cast with
McKinney scoring and Mitchell-Harmel rebounding proved
to be pivotal.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's Lake Taylor moving on to play Princess Anne yet
again in the regional title game. Those
two programs have met several times over the years in the postseason, including
back in 2010 when PA defeated them for the regional title and then Lake Taylor
won when they squared off again for the state title.
style=> That rivalry will be renewed!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:08
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WOW!
style=> An amazing sequence of
events here and big shot making in this Woodside vs. Lake Taylor battle in the
Girls Eastern Region Tournament Semis at the Norfolk Scope.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 1:25 to play, Adrienne
Motley buried a jumper to give Woodside a 51-49 lead on Lake Taylor.
style=> Back came Lake Taylor's star,
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald, with a gigantic
three-pointer with 1:07 remaining to give the Lady Titans a 52-51 lead.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Back-to-back steals by
normal'>Courtney White of Lake Taylor and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Ainna
normal'> Kelly for Woodside, but then the Lady Wolverines are called for
travelling with 28.8 seconds to go.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A Lake Taylor turnover occurs with 15.1 seconds left
and that gives Woodside a chance to win it with the clock ticking down at the
end. Motley pulls up on her jumper and
it is short, but Kelly is there for the rebound, she can't get the shot to and
then the ball flies out of bounds with 0.8 seconds left.
style=> Lake Taylor inbounds it down the court to
Fitzgerald, the hero in this one, and the Lady Titans pull it out to stay
undefeated.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>GIRLS SEMIS FINAL - - LAKE TAYLOR 52,
WOODSIDE 51
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Back with some Final Stats and more . . . plus the
nightcap in the Boys Eastern Region Semis with Kecoughtan
taking on King's Fork - - stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:04
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Just a like a star
is supposed to do and expected to do, Woodside's
normal'>Adrienne Motley is taking charge down the stretch, hitting a
three-point to knot the score up at 49-apiece with undefeated Lake Taylor in
the Eastern Region Tournament Girls Semis.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Give credit to
normal'>Ainna Kelly looking
for her teammate for the big shot with the team down three.
style=> Jordan
Mitchell-Harmel has given Lake Taylor some hustle
points inside and at the free-throw line to keep Woodside at bay during this
fourth quarter surge.
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"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Mike Tallon of
Woodside has seen enough and needs a time-out as undefeated Lake Taylor is
taking control early in the fourth quarter, his Lady Wolverines 45-39 with 5:37
remaining.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor has scored seven straight with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Courtney White draining a three-pointer
and Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald going coast-to-coast for a
pretty lay-up.
normal'>Adrienne Motley will need to take charge and bring her team back in
this one against a stingy Lake Taylor defense.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Both teams survived tests in the quarterfinal round
here at Scope with Lake Taylor getting past King's Fork in a tight battle,
while Woodside outlasted Grassfield.
style=> Woodside has to get some second chance points
and slow the game down by getting to the free-throw line to cut into this
deficit.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Don't look now, but Woodside is slicing into that
deficit and only down a whisker, 45-44, with 4:54 left after
class=SpellE>Kemonei
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Earp's put-back and
class=SpellE>Aianna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Kelly (Presbyterian signee) gets a
steal, drives for the bucket and draws the foul, where she converts a
three-point play.
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"'>What a great finish
to the third quarter as the two stars in this one,
normal'>Adrienne Motley for Woodside and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald of Lake Taylor, are starting to take over in this game.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Motley has 24 points and Fitzgerald has 18 points.
style=> But it's Fitzgerald hanging on to a slim lead
over Woodside going to the fourth quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ in Girls ER Semis - - Lake Taylor 38, Woodside 37
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>This game truly could go either way and it's hard to
find an edge for either team that will decide the outcome.
style=> If a key player fouls out, that may swing the
game. The battle on the boards in this
last period is going to be crucial, too.
Don't expect much to happen in transition because at this point the game
will be won in the half-court for either squad.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:48
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Breaking the tie
for Woodside's Lady Wolverines is standout guard
normal'>Adrienne Motley; the
Peninsula District Player of the Year gets a bucket to give her 19 points and
Woodside a 32-30 advantage.
It's clear this afternoon why she's one of the Top 100 recruits in the
country from the Class of 2013.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Woodside is having trouble getting stops though as
class=SpellE>Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald calmly drives through the
2-3 zone defense for a stop-and-pop floater.
style=> The scored is deadlocked again, 32-all, with
just under three minutes to go in the third quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor converts a couple of free-throws and that
gives them a 34-32 lead. The difference
to me is that Fitzgerald has a #2 option to complement her better than Motley
does at the moment.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Aianna
normal'> Kelly, battling foul trouble for Woodside, must step up in the
fourth quarter.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Endia
normal'> McKinney has been a real key for Lake Taylor with 12 points and
altering a few shots in the paint.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:42
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Just three minutes
into the third quarter and Woodside is still up five, 30-25, on Lake
Taylor. The Lady Titans are starting to
pick Woodside's pocket defensively as
normal'>Endia McKinney gets
a steal and then feeds it to
normal'>Feyonda Fitzgerald for
a bucket, plus the foul. Even worse for
Woodside is that Aianna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Kelly (Presbyterian signee), arguably
their second best player, just picked up her third foul.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 4:44 to go in the third quarter, it's Woodside up
30-27 on Lake Taylor and Fitzgerald has a free-throw to shoot.
style=> Foul trouble is going to loom largely in this
one. Not only do you want to keep your
star player (Motley for Woodside and Fitzgerald for Lake Taylor) away from
fouls, but also don't let your opponent get in the bonus too early.
style=> McKinney ties the score at 30-all with 5:05
to go in the third period.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:33
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At the break,
Woodside's Girls have gained themselves a cushion on the undefeated Lady Titans
of Lake Taylor. Can Lake Taylor rally
and keep their undefeated season going?
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"'>Woodside
Girls 26:
Adrienne Motley - - 14Pts. 6-13FG, 2-4FT, 3Reb.
Kemonei Earp - - 8Pts. 4-6FG, 5Reb. 2Ast
class=GramE>.
Lady Wolverines - - 12-28FG, 0-1 3's, 2-6FT, 18Reb. 5Ast.
5TO's, 3Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake
Taylor Girls 21:
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 8Pts. 3-11FG, 1-6 3's, 2Reb.
Endia McKinney - - 8Pts. 3-7FG, 2-5 3's, 3Reb.
Lady Titans - - 8-28FG, 4-17 3's, 1-2FT, 19Reb.
class=GramE>3Ast. 6TO's, 1Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The telling stats to me are that Lake Taylor has only
eight points inside the three-point arc and just one steal on the evening.
style=> That's not enough if they expect it to
advance to Monday night to play Princess Anne.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor must do a better job of containing Motley,
the star of the game and perhaps the most dynamic player in the region and
state. Woodside didn't convert a
three-pointer in that first half and might need one or two to loosen up that Lake
Taylor defense if the Lady Titans are able to get the ball out of Motley's
hands and try to make someone else beat them.
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"'>Late in the second
quarter, Woodside is clinging to a 22-21 lead on Lake Taylor in what has been
more of a defensive struggle this period compared to the opening quarter that
was more of a shoot-out.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Woodside got some really good play from
class=SpellE>Kemonei
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Earp in the first and second quarter;
if she can continue that in the second half and give them
boards as well as points, they have to feel great about their chances.
style=>
normal'>Aianna Kelly is
crashing the glass well, too, even though she's not been a big factor in the
offensive game-plan to this point.
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"'>,
a sophomore guard, struck from three-point land to give Lake Taylor a 20-18 lead
with 4:45 to go in the second quarter.
Since then, Mike
class=SpellE>Tallon's Lady
Wolverines have tightened the defensive screws and done a really good job of
keeping Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald out of the lane.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:19
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>An entertaining
first quarter is in the books in the Eastern Region Tournament Girls Semis and
it was a good flow all the way around.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Woodside 16, Lake Taylor 15
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A nice way to bounce back out of the time-out Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Saundra Sawyer called for Lake Taylor
as they have been able to stretch the defense with their outside shooting.
style=> But Woodside is breaking the Lake Taylor
press rather easy, at least they aren't showing any fear of it at this point.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Star Watch - - Adrienne
Motley has 10 points in the opening quarter for Woodside compared to 7 points
by Lake Taylor's Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald.
style=> Both of these players are capable of going
for 30-plus in this one, and as a fan, I'd love to see it, and for the game
come right down to the wire.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:13
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Woodside comes out
of the gate looking very sharp on the offensive end with Miami-bound guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Adrienne Motley scoring five early
points.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald has all five of Lake Taylor's points as they game is
deadlocked before Woodside goes on a mini-run, sparked by transition play.
style=> Lake Taylor will call a time-out and try to
re-group, trailing 11-5 with 3:40 to go in the opening quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kemonei
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Earp
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>,
a junior forward, has been a real plus for Woodside so far with her ability to
score around the basket. Lake Taylor
comes right back with Endia
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> McKinney, a junior forward, strikes
with a pair of three-pointers and suddenly the Lady Titans are on top of the
Wolverines 15-14.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:07
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We are underway in
the Girls Eastern Region Hoops Semis between defending Eastern Region Champ
Woodside (26-1) and Eastern District Champ Lake Taylor (24-0).
style=> The winner gets Princess Anne in Monday
night's regional title game. Also, the
winner grabs a berth in the AAA State Tournament.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Keys for Lake Taylor are as follows - - keep
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Adrienne Motley (Miami bound) out of
the paint, make it a three-point shooting battle and win the battle at the
free-throw line.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Woodside, they need to be able to contain the Lady
Titans' Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald (Temple commit), break the
pressure effectively and get Lake Taylor's post players in foul trouble.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
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"'>Here are the Final
Stats from Great Bridge's semifinal victory over the defending State Champion
Hampton Crabbers in the Eastern Region Tournament courtesy of
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Mike Whittington &
style='mso-bidi-font-weight: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"'>Great
Bridge Wildcats 67:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (24-3 Overall)
Marcus Evans - - 18Pts. 6-13FG, 5-6FT, 2Reb. 2Ast. 5Stl.
Byron Williams - - 17Pts. 6-14FG, 4-4FT, 7Reb. 2Ast.
Andre Banks - - 14Pts. 6-6FG, 2-2FT, 3Reb. (Fouled Out)
Steve Bienlien - - 9Pts. 1-3FG,
7-8FT, 6Reb. 4Blk.
Wildcats - - 22-44FG, 5-10 3's, 18-22FT, 27eb. 10Ast. 10TO's,
5Blk. 9Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton
Crabbers 60:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (22-7 Overall)
Anthony 'Cat' Barber - - 26Pts. 10-18FG, 3-7 3's, 3-4FT, 5Reb.
Jordan Baker - - 10Pts. 4-12FG, 1-7 3's, 1-2FT, 2Reb.
4Ast. 2Blk.
Tre Perry - - 9Pts. 4-12FG, 8Reb. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Crabbers - - 23-58FG, 5-16 3's, 9-15FT, 35Reb. 8Ast. 13TO's,
2Blk. 6Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1368608.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Great Bridge Hoops Coach Gary Obenour
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"'>It is now in the
books and the Great Bridge Wildcats are headed to the Group AAA State
Tournament for the first time since 1958 after defeating the 2012 State
Champion Hampton Crabbers in the semifinals of the Eastern Region Tournament at
the Norfolk Scope.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>BOYS SEMIS FINAL - - GREAT BRIDGE 67,
HAMPTON 60
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have some Final Stats in a few, don't go anywhere
because two more games await in the semifinals with Woodside vs. Lake Taylor in
Girls Hoops and King's Fork vs. Kecoughta in Boys
Hoops.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:28
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 21.3 seconds
to play, all Great Bridge needs to do to punch its ticket to the Group AAA
State Tournament is sink some free-throws.
Jeff Barnes, a backup guard
and unheralded player for Hampton who plays some very tough defense, just
picked up his fourth foul for the Crabbers.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Byron
Williams
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>makes two at the foul line to push the Great Bridge
lead to 65-58 here n the regional semifinals at the Norfolk Scope.
style=> Jordan
Baker, the ODU signee who has had such a wonderful career in a Hampton
uniform, drives coast-to-coast for a bucket, draws the foul misses, the
free-throw, but it's a jump-ball for the rebound and possession arrow to Great
Bridge.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Wildcats still lead Hampton 65-60 with 12.9 seconds
to play.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:23
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gary Obenour has
talked about the "iron-will," of the Great Bridge Wildcats the entire 2012-13
campaign and it's never been more prevalent than now.
style=> The Wildcats lead the defending State Champs
63-56 with 43.7 seconds left, and barring a comeback for the ages, Hampton's
season will be ending today at 22-7 overall without a repeat or return to the
State Playoffs.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Center Steve
class=SpellE>Bienlien made another critical defensive play
underneath the basket and then Marcus
Evans went coast-to-coast for a lay-up to push the lead up to five.
style=> Bienlien followed
suit with some free-throws to extend the advantage to seven.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge's offense has done everything you could
ask for against a gritty, hard-nosed team like Hampton that defensively is able
to bottle up some of the best offenses in the state (see their wins over
Henrico, Petersburg, Nansemond River, etc. for example).
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:17
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton is on the
comeback trail, and when that's the case, the other team is in
class=GramE>trouble. That team is
Great Bridge, trying to make its first trip to the State Playoffs in 55
years. The Wildcats lead Hampton 59-56
with 2:09 to play after Mark Madison's
huge three-pointer off a dish from Marcus
Evans.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Evans has committed two offensive charging fouls and
Great Bridge as a team has three of them in this fourth quarter alone.
style=> Late in the fourth quarter, Evans will be
playing with four fouls and Gary
class=SpellE>Obenour's squad
cannot afford to have him foul out in this one.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton tied it with 3:04 to play on a basket inside
from their undersized, yet high-motor forward
normal'>Sammie Royal versus the 6-foot-7
normal'>Steve Bienlien, who has been swatting
away several shots today and all year long.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:09
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the fourth
quarter, Anthony Barber delivers
another crushing blow to Great Bridge with a three-pointer to cut the lead to
47-44.
normal'>Andre Banks answers with a cold-blooded three-pointer; he's got 14
points despite three fouls. Great Bridge
has been extremely clutch in the fourth quarter all
season long, but they now have to defeat the ultimate clutch team in crunch
time, Hampton, to keep their dream season alive.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Momentum is beginning to swing to Hampton again after
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordan Baker hits a three-pointer to
cut the Great Bridge lead down with 6:02 to play.
style=> Marcus
Evans scores with 4:49 to go in the fourth quarter to push the Wildcats'
advantage up to six. Baker responds only
eight seconds later with a move to the bucket, field goal and connects at the
foul line for a three-point play.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge's lead is slim now, only 56-53 with 4:41
remaining.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:03
PM:
style=> Great Bridge is in the lead still on Hampton,
but not before Anthony 'Cat' Barber,
the McDonald's All-American guard headed to NC State for the Crabbers, put TWO
defenders of the Wildcats in the spin cycle with a bucket.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Great Bridge 47, Hampton 41
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton has had some memorable comebacks, including one
just three nights ago, in the playoffs.
Are they capable of doing it one more time to advance back to the Group
AAA State Tournament?
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:58
PM:
style=> Cat-quick guard
normal'>Anthony Barber is showing that burst along the baseline; the NC
State signee has a great presence of mind to never step out of bounds, know his
surroundings well and use tremendous body control.
style=> The Crabbers are starting to have some
success against that zone defense Great Bridge is utilizing, getting the
flasher to come across the middle rather well.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Speaking of that, Barber hits a pull-up jumper with
1:03 to play to trim Great Bridge's lead to 46-39.
style=> The question now becomes more defensively
than offensively for Hampton. Will the
Crabbers be able to slow down the perimeter trio of
normal'>Marcus Evans, Byron Williams
and Andre Banks of Great
Bridge? Right now, Banks and Evans are
on the bench for the Wildcats and they have two others joining Williams on the
perimeter in junior Mark Madison and
sophomore Aaron Ferguson.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:52
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge is
executing so well on the offensive end, and Hampton's coaches,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Eric Brown and
normal'>Walter Brower aren't liking what they are
seeing. The Wildcats are being patient,
yet persistent.
normal'>Aaron Ferguson makes 1-of-2 at the foul line and the Crabbers call
a time-out, trailing 44-33 with 3:39 to play in the third quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Marcus
Evans
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>has been very smooth with the ball in his hands, making
all the right plays, scoring it and finding his teammates.
style=> And he's doing it against two of the state's
premier guards in Anthony Barber and
Jordan Baker.
style=> Defensively, Evans is coming up with steals
as well.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton was in major trouble the other night in the
regional quarterfinals before Baker saved them in overtime against
class=SpellE>Landstown. Finishing
strong is a must against a team with the heart, desire and toughness that
Hampton possesses.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:46
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To begin the second
half, Hampton comes out with an angry look in its eye and they don't want their
dream of a state title repeat to end.
style=> Sammie Royal
style='font-weight:normal'> (a.k.a. Sammie the Bull) for Hampton
style='font-weight:normal'>with a great move inside to trim into Great Bridge's
lead. But the Wildcats
aren't fazed one bit as junior guard Marcus
Evans drains a three-pointer, hits 1-of-2 at the foul line and comes up
with a steal.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton's
normal'>Daquin Moore hits
a big shot in the middle against that zone defense; that's going to be there
when the ball goes to the corner. It
cuts the Great Bridge lead to 40-33. The
Wildcats come right back with great composure and patience on the offensive
end, going to their mismatch advantage in 6-foot-7 center
normal'>Steve Bienlien, who heads to the foul
line to shoot two. He makes 1-of-2.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge's two lefties, Bienlien
and Andre Banks, continue to make
key plays for the Wildcats. Every time
Banks gets the ball it seems he's able to get his defender where he wants them
to get his shot off effectively.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:42
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through two
quarters of play, it's the Great Bridge Wildcats leading the Hampton Crabbers
by seven and they are just 16 minutes of play away if they can hold this lead
from making it to the Group AAA State Tournament for the first time since 1958.
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"'>Great
Bridge 36:
Andre Banks - - 11Pts. 5-5FG, 2Reb.
Byron Williams - - 9Pts. 4-9FG, 5Reb.
Marcus Evans - - 8Pts. 3-7FG, 2-2FT, 2Stl.
Wildcats - - 15-27FG, 2-5 3's, 4-4FT, 14Reb. 8Ast. 5TO's,
3Blk. 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton
29:
Anthony 'Cat' Barber - - 13Pts. 5-10FG, 2-3 3's
Tre Perry - - 9Pts. 4-10FG, 5Reb. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Jordan Baker - - 2Pts. 1-5FG, 1Reb.
Crabbers - - 11-29FG, 3-8 3's, 4-7FT, 16Reb. 3Ast. 7TO's,
0Blk. 5Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge is getting a lot of good action going to
the basket right now on offense and Hampton's defense has to make them take
some tougher, contested 3's to cut into this lead.
style=> The Wildcats have kept Baker and Sammie Royal
in check; just 4 points on 1-of-6 shooting combined.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Banks has been the key along with Williams shooting the
ball for Great Bridge. Hampton's role
players have to step up and help out Barber and Perry, who have done almost all
of the scoring for the Crabbers. If
Great Bridge continues to execute well and not get bothered by the Hampton
defense and turn it over, they have to like their chances of moving on to
Monday night's region title game.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:37
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>So we've reached
half-time here at the Norfolk Scope and Great Bridge Coach
normal'>Gary Obenour has to be thrilled in how
his team is executing their game-plan, really getting high-percentage shots and
doing an adequate job of containing Hampton's guards on dribble penetration.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Half
- - Great Bridge 36, Hampton 29
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some half-time numbers in a couple minutes!
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:31
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge is
making a lot of timely shots right now, specifically the likes of senior wings
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Byron Williams and
normal'>Andre Banks. Hampton doesn't
have the amount of shooters to match, but they do have defensive grit, heart
and a Championship pedigree that means they won't be going away any time soon
in this one.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Williams and Banks have connected on the last three
shots to give Great Bridge a 34-29 lead on Hampton, which is going to need to
create some turnovers and get points off of it to answer the Wildcats.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 4.8 seconds left in the second quarter, junior
guard Marcus Evans showed great
poise, reading the defense and then attacking the hole with a very good
defender in Jordan Baker checking
him. Evans draws the foul, sinks a pair
of free-throws and the Wildcats extend their lead to 36-29 on a 13-3 run to
close the half.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Before the end of the half though, Great Bridge
sophomore guard Aaron Ferguson was
whistled for a foul, but it was a good one because it made Hampton have to
inbound again and they couldn't get Anthony
'Cat' Barber down the floor quick enough for a shot; Barber actually lost
control of the ball and turned it over.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:24
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 5:34 to go in
the second quarter, Hampton is clinging to a 23-21 lead on Great Bridge in a
very competitive, back-and-forth battle with a State Tournament berth at
stake.
normal'>Steve Bienlien ties the score at 23-all
on a pair of free-throws for the Wildcats.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton has made a defensive switch on
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Andre Banks, who is now being guarded
by ODU football signee Daquin
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Moore, a long and rangy athlete who
comes off the bench and provides some hustle plays for the Crabbers.
style=> Hampton also is going to its bench and using
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jeff Barnes at the guard spot to
complement Anthony 'Cat' Barber and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jordan Baker, who moments ago had a big
steal and lay-up.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meanwhile, the Great Bridge Wildcats have gone to a
switch defensively from man-to-man to zone.
We'll see how that affects things going forward.
style=> Rebounding out of it will be one of the main
priorities.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:17
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hampton has composed
itself after the 7-0 Great Bridge run and forced the Wildcats
into a couple of questionable shots late in the first quarter.
style=> The Crabbers have a no-nonsense look about
them and they scored the final four points of the first quarter to claim the lead
going into the second quarter, where both teams have only been whistled for one
foul apiece, although the one for Great Bridge was on 6-foot-7 center
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Steve Bienlien;
one of the keys in this game.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Hampton 16, Great Bridge 15
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tre
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Perry
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>,
a senior forward for the Hampton Crabbers with improved shooting range this
season, has been vital for them with seven points in the opening period.
style=> Barber also has seven through one quarter of
play. For Great Bridge,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Andre Banks has six points being
guarded by Sammie Royal and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Byron Williams has five.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:13
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We've got a great
pace to start in this one. NC State
signee Anthony 'Cat' Barber, the
McDonald's All-American selection who was the State Player of the Year a season
ago, comes out with the game's first jumper, sticking a pull-up jumper just
inside the arc. Barber has a very
determined look about him to start.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Great Bridge doesn't panic after a quick deficit and a
Barber three-point that puts the Crabbers up 7-4.
style=> Byron
Williams of Great Bridge finds a cutting
normal'>Andre Banks open for a deuce underneath the bucket out of a
trap. Hampton has been very aggressive
defensively, showing some traps in the early going.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tre
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Perry
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>has
been a key and potential x-factor for Hampton with seven points in this opening
quarter, including a timely three-pointer that gave the Crabbers a 10-6
advantage. Back comes Great Bridge
though behind Marcus Evans' basket
and a Williams three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 13-10 lead on a 7-0 run.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Williams might be the best rebounder for his size (only
about 6-foot-tall) in the region; his put-back makes it 15-12 in favor of the
cats late in the opening quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:05
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We're about to
tip-off in the first Boys Eastern Region Tournament semifinal matchup of the
day between the reigning State Champion Hampton Crabbers (22-6) and the
Southeastern District regular season Champion Great Bridge Wildcats (23-3).
style=> The winner gains an automatic State
Tournament berth and will play either Henrico or John Marshall in the State
Quarters, but before that, will take on the winner of the game later on tonight
between Kecoughtan and King's Fork in Monday's
Eastern Region Championship.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Keys for Great Bridge are simple - - keep
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Anthony 'Cat' Barber (NC State signee)
and Jordan Baker (ODU signee) out of
the lane, force Hampton to beat you with 3's and get a spark off the bench from
someone, most likely Aaron Ferguson.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meanwhile for Hampton, they want to contain
Southeastern District Player of the Year Marcus
Evans for the Wildcats, get offensive rebounds and contest Great Bridge's
three-point looks.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:40
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's now in the
books and the Princess Anne Lady Cavaliers are headed to the Group AAA State
Tournament for a sixth consecutive year, defeating the Maury Lady Commodores in
the Eastern Region Tournament Girls semifinals.
For Maury, their season comes to a close at 21-6 overall, falling in the
regional semis for a second year in a row.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the numbers to review from this one from
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Mike Whittington of
style='mso-bidi-font-weight: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"'>Princess
Anne Lady Cavaliers 48:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (27-1 Overall)
Morgan Cooper - - 20Pts. (all 2nd Half), 7-14FG, 6-7FT, 3Reb. 3Stl
class=GramE>.
Alexis Platt - - 7Pts. 3-5FG, 5Reb.
Janayla
White - - 6Pts. 1-2FG, 4-11FT, 18Reb. 6Blk.
Danyael Goodhope - - 5Pts.
2-3FG, 1-2FT
Lady Cavs - - 17-43FG, 1-7 3's, 13-24FT, 49Reb. 6Ast. 19TO's,
9Blk. 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury
Lady Commodores 33:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (21-6 Overall)
Jayda Luckie - - 15Pts.
7-17FG, 4Reb. 3Stl.
Gianna Smith - - 11Pts. 4-19FG, 2-4FT, 8Reb. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Kishona Sutton - - 4Pts. 4-4FT
Lady Commodores - - 12-55FG, 2-14 3's, 7-15FT, 33Reb. 3Ast.
10TO's, 11Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://www.rivals.com/uploads/914/1368439.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Princess Anne's Darnell Dozier
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Cooper absolutely grabbed the game by the throat in the
second half in scoring all 20 of her points to take command and help PA pull
away from Maury. The Lady Cavs had a 9-0
advantage in blocks and defensively held Maury to just 21.8% shooting from the
field. Their bench gave them 12 points
and Maury's played didn't really factor in the game much at all.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hicks got worn out for Maury, but she'll be a great
player and perhaps a record setter before she graduates.
style=> The Lady Commodores didn't get enough points
from the three-point line to off-set the advantage PA had inside.
style=> In the second half, PA was +15 on the glass
after being +1 at the break and that was one of the things that allowed them to
separate.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A matchup against Woodside or Lake Taylor will be
mighty fascinating in Monday night's Girls Eastern Region Championship.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Don't go anywhere because up next it's Great Bridge vs.
Hampton in the Boys Eastern Region Semis here from Scope!
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"'>The Princess Anne
Lady Cavaliers are moving on the Eastern Region Championship game on Monday
night where they will take on the winner of Woodside/Lake Taylor.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>GIRLS SEMIS FINAL - - PRINCESS ANNE 48,
MAURY 33
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:22
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Foul shooting has
not helped Maury out a ton as they are 7-of-15 thus far.
style=> The Lady Cavs have played a much better
second half offensively.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Morgan
Cooper
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>continues to take control of this second half for
Princess Anne with 20 of her team's first 24 points this half after not scoring
in the first half. She's had a
remarkable 16-mintue stretch of basketball to put her team on her back.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Lady Cavs lead it 41-29 with 2:45 remaining and
class=SpellE>Janayla
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> White will head to the free-throw line
to shoot a pair.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:17
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Although Maury's
girls are fighting to the finish line, they are getting very
winded. Their main standouts,
particularly Chanette
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Hicks and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Gianna
normal'> Smith, haven't had much of a chance to catch their breath, whereas
Princess Anne comes at people in waves.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Additionally, PA's defense has done a very effective
job of being physical with Hicks on any of her drives or whenever she catches
the basketball. That has certainly taken
a toll one of the Eastern Region's top players.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:10
PM:
style=> These two themes from this game so far have
been the D's, that's defense and depth.
Princess Anne's Lady Cavs have gotten some significant contributions
from their subs to steady the ship, while defensively they have contained
Maury's two main perimeter players,
normal'>Gianna Smith and
class=SpellE>Chanette
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Hicks, to a combined 11 points.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Defensively, PA has held Maury to 8-of-39 shooting from
the field and gotten to the foul line a good deal.
style=> Morgan
Cooper has really raised her play in the second half after a scoreless
first half for the Lady Cavs.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Barring a remarkable comeback, Princess Anne will be
playing for a tenth regional title under Coach
normal'>Darnell Dozier come Monday night against the winner of
Woodside/Lake Taylor later on today.
Woodside has played Princess Anne each of the past two years in the
regional title game, beating the Lady Cavs last year and losing to them in
2011.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:03
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Foul trouble is
starting to add up for Princess Anne.
Freshman guard Danyael
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Goodhope just
got whistled for her fourth personal foul with 3:02 left in the third
quarter. Princess Anne has six team
fouls with over two minuets to go in the third period.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A couple of tremendous drives to the cup by
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Morgan Cooper has
given Princess Anne the lead and some breathing room, ahead 31-24 with under a
minute to go in the third quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Princess Anne 31, Maury 24
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:56
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the third
quarter, both teams come out with a great amount of energy and intensity.
style=> Princess Anne's offense in the half-court
looks a little crisper as they are spreading the floor well to get pretty good
shots that are starting to fall.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The three-point shot is the great equalizer and Maury
drills one midway through the period to give them some momentum.
style=> Maury now leads Princess Anne 24-23 with
class=GramE>under four minutes to go in the third quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:41
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are some
numbers at the break in the Eastern Region Tournament Girls Semis at the
Norfolk Scope between Maury and Princess Anne courtesy of
normal'>Mike Whittington and STATVA (
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"'>Princess
Anne 15:
Danyael Goodhope - - 5Pts.
2-3FG
Justyce Swango - - 4Pts.
1-4FG, 2Reb. 2Ast.
Janalya White - - 0Pts. 0-1FG, 9Reb. 4Blk
class=GramE>.
Lady Cavs - - 6-21FG, 1-4 3's, 2-8FT, 23Reb. 3Ast. 11TO's,
7Blk. 3Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury
13:
Gianna Smith - - 6Pts. 2-12FG, 2-4FT, 5Reb.
Jayda Luckie - - 4Pts.
2-7FG, 4Reb. 2Stl.
Chanette Hicks - - 0Pts. 0-7FG, 0Reb.
Lady Commodores - - 5-30FG, 1-6 3's, 2-6FT, 22Reb.
class=GramE>1Ast. 7TO's, 7Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Princess Anne didn't have a finish to the half that
Coach Dozier would like, but they are in the lead thanks to White's work on the
boards and defensively. They have
bottled up Maury's star player, Hicks, who nearly had a triple-double in the
quarterfinals vs. Western Branch. Their
bench seems to be a little bit better with seven points off the pine, giving
them a much-needed offensive lift after a sluggish start.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury wants to keep this game in transition because in
my opinion their odds of winning are better.
Make PA beat you from the outside because they may not be able to do
so. One of the keys coming in was
staying close on the boards and PA is only +1, which Coach Woods will
take. Maury has to find a way to get
Hicks on track, and more importantly, get her to the foul line and get one of
PA's front-line players in foul trouble.
Remember, Hicks got to the foul line 17 times last time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:36
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It was an exciting
end to the first half between Maury and Princess Anne Girls here in the
regional semifinals at the Norfolk Scope.
Princess Anne led 15-7 after a 13-0 run to begin the second
quarter. Maury didn't get its first
points of the second period until 1:24 left in the first half on free-throws
from Gianna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury then went to its full-court press and it forced
some turnovers by PA.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:26
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Darnell Dozier's Lady Cavaliers of
Princess Anne have turned up the heat and are playing some suffocating defense
of their own, doing an excellent job of clogging the middle on drives by
Maury's guards. The Lady Commodores have
also settled from jumpers that aren't falling for them.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>After a horrendous 1-for-12 shooting start by the Lady
Cavs, PA has been able to get to the free-throw line a few times and gone on a
10-0 run, keyed by baskets from
normal'>Danyael
class=SpellE>Goodhope and
normal'>Edley
class=SpellE>Drawhorn.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Alexis
Platt
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>'s bucket off a steal pushes the PA lead to 14-7 with
3:05 to go before half-time. Maury has
given up 12 unanswered points and better finds its offense before the break or
else it might be too late.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:18
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The defense by
Coach Woods' gals from Maury has been superb.
They are challenging everything Princess Anne throws up.
style=>
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
1stQ - - Maury Girls 7, Princess Anne 2
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Eventually, you would expect Princess Anne to heat up
and turn things around in a hurry. Two
straight buckets from Gianna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith, a sophomore guard with D-1
potential that goes by the nickname of 'Gigi,' increased the lead from one to
five on PA.
normal'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To start the second quarter though, Princess Anne pulls
within a possession down as junior guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Justyce
normal'> Swango, drains a three-pointer to cut
Maury's lead to 7-5. Maury leads it by
five despite shooting 3-for-15 from the field to open the game.
style=> It is a defensive slugfest to say the least.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury Lady
Commodores Head Coach Jermaine Woods,
who won a state title as an assistant on the Boys side with Booker T.
Washington back in 2006, has to like the start his team is off to, leading
Princess Anne 3-2 as we near the midway mark o the first quarter.
style=> On the flip side though, his team has had its
chances to increase the lead and failed to do so to this point.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Princess Anne, they are missing a lot of shots at
or near the rim, which you would figure is going to change for the Lady
Cavs. PA is doing a good job of getting
the ball out of Chanette
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Hicks' hands.
style=> The Lady Cavs' first field goal wax scored by
freshman Gadiva
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Hubbard, a guard that Coach Dozier
says is going to be their next great prospect at PA.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:04
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We're about to
tip-off in the first Girls semifinal between Maury (21-5), the #2 seed out of
the Eastern District, and Princess Anne (26-1), Champions of the Beach once
again looking for a regional title, which would be #10 under Coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Darnell Dozier.
style=> The winner plays in tomorrow night's Championship
game of the Eastern Region between the winner of Lake
Taylor/Woodside later today.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Keys for Maury are simple - - don't turn the ball
over, let Chanette
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Hicks be a playmaker at the guard spot
whether it's coring or distributing and stay even or close to it with Princess
Anne on the boards.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For PA, they have to be able to make someone other than
Hicks beat them, use their bench and depth to their advantage and dominate in
the painted area.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury strikes first on a three-pointer from junior
guard Jayda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Luckie to
grab a quick 3-0 lead.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>1:50
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Howdy folks, and
welcome to a special Sunday edition of the LIVE Hoops Blog on
VirginiaPreps.com. Why are we doing it
on a Sunday you ask? Well, it's the 2013
Eastern Region Tournament Semifinals being played on a Sunday instead of a
Saturday because the Admirals' hockey team had to play a game on Saturday night
here at the Norfolk Scope.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Two Boys Basketball teams and two Girls Basketball
teams will be punching their ticket to the Group AAA State Tournament,
completing the field for the State Playoffs.
However, we won't know where those teams are seeded until Championship
Monday night.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's get to the matchups for today and predict some
winners.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:00
PM (Girls) - - #2 Maury (21-5) vs. #1 Princess Anne (26-1)
4:00 PM (Boys) - - #2 Hampton (22-6) vs. #1 Great Bridge (23-3)
6:00 PM (Girls) - - #1 Lake Taylor (24-0) vs. #1 Woodside (26-1)
8:00 PM (Boys) - - #2 King's Fork (23-4) vs. #1 Kecoughtan
(24-4)
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>So far, I'm 16-0 on picks in this Eastern Region
Tournament, 12-0 on the Boys side and 43-5 overall in the AAA playoffs across
the state. This might be my best
predicting year yet since joining VirginiaPreps.com in 2004, but let me tell
everyone that I'm due for a bad day.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Hatfield's
Picks:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Maury
Girls by 1, Woodside Girls by 2
Great Bridge Boys by 2 in 2OT's, Kecoughtan Boys by
10
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>I will readily admit that I'm more likely to get the
Girls games wrong, both of them, than the Boys, although I'm making an
unpopular pick by projecting Great Bridge to oust the reigning State Champion
Crabbers of Hampton.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
href="http://virginiapreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1475678&PT=4&PR=2">LIVE
Central Region Tournament Semis Blog from VCU on Friday
LIVE
Eastern Region Tournament Quarters Blog from Scope on Thursday
LIVE
Eastern Region Tournament Quarters Blog from Scope on Wednesday
"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 AAA 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">
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 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
normal'>,
and don't forget to listen to him on the VirginiaPreps.com Hour every Saturday
at 11AM 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"'>
and watch him on the
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";text-decoration:none;text-underline:
none'>Cox 11 Sports Report
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
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