LIVE Thursday Blog at Scope!
Advertisement
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>11:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Well, Day 2 of the
Eastern Region Tournament quarterfinals at the Norfolk Scope has come to an end
and it matched, maybe topped, the exhilaration seen at the end of Day 1.
style=> We got to witness a buzzer-beater in overtime
on Wednesday night, and then a double-overtime classic the next night.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's review the Finals from Thursday's action and take
a look ahead to Sunday's semifinals.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Boys
Quarters Final - - King's Fork 69, Norcom 59 (2OT's)
Boys Quarters Final - - Kecoughtan 77, Western Branch
66
Girls Quarters Final - - Lake Taylor 61, King's Fork 56
Girls Quarters Final - - Woodside 54, Grassfield 45
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Which brings up to this lineup for the weekend as two
Girls teams and two Boys teams will be trying to punch their ticket to the
Group AAA State Tournament.
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"'>My picks over the last two days - - 8-0!
style=> For my predictions on Sunday's semifinals, be
sure to tune in to High School Sports Talk Presented by VirginiaPreps.com from
10 AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1. We'll
have interviews and analysis all morning, too.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>That will do it until Sunday for our Eastern Region
Tournament Blog. I'll be headed to the
804 area code and Richmond for Friday night's Central Region Tournament
semifinal clash between Henrico and John Marshall - - be sure to check back for
Updates!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:55
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It is now over, a
dramatic and exciting double-overtime classic in the Eastern Region Tournament
quarterfinals. The King's Fork Bulldogs outlasted
the Norcom Greyhounds to advance to the Eastern
Region Tournament semifinals on Sunday against Peninsula District Champ
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the Final Numbers from our pal
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: 2OT's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's
Fork Bulldogs 69:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (23-4 Overall)
Rod Parrett - - 18Pts. 6-21FG, 3-8 3's, 3-4FT, 7Reb.
Jacorey
Smith - - 17Pts. 6-18FG, 2-7 3's, 3-6FT, 6Reb.
Byron Taylor - - 14Pts. 5-10FG, 4-7FT, 16Reb.
Donte
Ralph - - 9Pts. 2-6FG, 5-6FT, 6Reb.
Akanni
White - - 8Pts. 3-12FG, 2-5FT, 7Reb. 3Ast. 2Stl.
Bulldogs - - 23-73FG, 5-18 3's, 18-30FT, 53Reb. 5Ast. 11TO's,
8Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Greyhounds 59:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(17-8 Overall)
James Whitaker - - 21Pts. 9-17FG, 1-4 3's, 2-5FT, 13Reb. 4Ast.
Malique Trent - - 18Pts. 7-15FG, 3-6 3's, 1-4FT,
7Reb. 2Ast. (Fouled Out)
Troy Locke - - 13Pts. 4-12FG, 5-8FT, 9Reb. (Fouled Out)
Antonio Parker - - 6Pts. 1-10FG, 4-6FT, 5Reb. (Fouled
Out), 2Blk. 2Stl.
Greyhounds - - 21-60FG, 4-17 3's, 13-25FT, 51Reb. 10Ast. 18TO's,
7Stl.
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1367445.WMA">Postgame Audio with
King's Fork Head Basketball Coach Josh Worrell
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
loss might've as hard to swallow if not tougher than Landstown's
the night before to Hampton. Trent
fouling out certainly hurt them for the overtime sessions.
style=> The Greyhounds have been through a lot this
season, having to deal with Coach Stevenson's passing earlier in the year.
style=> Whitaker had some pretty good numbers, but
the Greyhounds' 18 turnovers were a few too much and Coach Goolsby
ended up having to play his bench probably more than he would've liked to due
to foul trouble.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For King's Fork, it was another splendid comeback.
style=> They did it against Western Branch, rallying
from 16 down in the fourth quarter to win the Southeastern District Tournament
Championship. No deficit is too large
for these guys. Parrett and White both
rebounded well from the guard spot, combining for 14 of them, and Taylor was
simply an energizer bunny and a beast with 14 points and 16 boards.
style=> Getting to the foul line and getting
offensive boards allowed them to battle back and win the game along with their
rock solid defensive play that made Norcom have to
earn any points they got late.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:52
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The King's Fork
Bulldogs are moving on to the regional semifinals on Sunday at the Norfolk
Scope against the Kecoughtan Warriors of the
Peninsula District.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>BOYS QUARTERS FINAL SCORE IN 2OT'S - -
KING'S FORK 69, NORCOM 59
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"'>9:48
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In the second overtime
session, King's Fork energizer bunny delivers with a big put-back, plus draws
the foul. That's
normal'>Byron Taylor with the three-point play to give the Bulldogs a 60-57
lead. The gas tank seems to have hit
empty for Norcom and King's Fork has a little more
left in the tank in this battle of attrition.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Taylor yanks down a key defensive rebound on a
three-point miss by James Whitaker and
then Donte
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Ralph comes through with a
put-back. Taylor then comes up with a
crucial steal and jam to push the Bulldogs' lead to 64-57.
style=> With 1:08 to go in the second OT,
class=SpellE>Akanni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> White goes to the foul line and makes
1-of-2 to push the advantage to 65-57.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Barring something unforeseen, King's Fork is going to
continue its hot streak and win their 11th in a row.
style=> That will put the Bulldogs at 23-4 overall
and in the regional semifinals against Peninsula District Champ
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan. Stay
tuned for a Final Score and Final Stats in a few.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>One other tidbit - - in the Northwest Region Tournament
semifinals, it was Battlefield surprising GW-Danville to move on to the title
game, where they will take on Mountain View, which beat Stonewall Jackson.
style=> Mountain View owns the longest win streak
among all AAA teams in Virginia at 23 games.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Also in the Central Region Tournament semifinals, John
Marshall defeated Armstrong 65-53. That
means the Justices will play one of the Eastern Region's two teams in the Group
AAA State Tournament quarterfinals, either at ODU or VCU.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:41
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 11.5 seconds
left in OT, Norcom's
normal'>Antonio Parker makes 1-of-2 at the foul line to push the Greyhounds'
advantage to 57-55. King's Fork's
class=SpellE>Jacorey
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith gets fouled with 6.1 seconds
left. Smith calmly steps up and hits two
pressurized free-throws to tie the score at 57.
Norcom takes a fall-away three-pointer at the
buzzer that's off the mark.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>DOUBLE
OT - - King's Fork 57, Norcom 57
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>This has been a wonderful game and the players as well
as coaches, Josh Worrell and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Leon Goolsby,
deserve a tremendous amount of credit.
You have to wonder with
normal'>Malique Trent out
for another four minutes can Norcom mustard up enough
energy to pull this out? It's going to
be mighty, mighty tough.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:35
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 1:26 to go in
OT and King's Fork up two,
normal'>Jacorey Smith heads
to the free-throw line for the Bulldogs
Smith makes 1-of-2 foul shots to extend KF's lead to 55-52.
style=> But Norcom has been
through too much to throw in the towel now after all the adversity they've
faced; James Whitaker with a
put-back to slice the deficit to a point.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>After that, Antonio
Parker rejects a shot at the cup.
Whitaker comes through again and puts Norcom
back in the lead. It looked like it was
going to end just a few moments ago for Norcom, but they
are back in front at 56-55 with 47 seconds to play in OT.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Whitaker ties up Smith with 32.5 seconds to go and the
possession arrow points to King's Fork.
Coach Josh Worrell will call
a time-out for the Bulldogs and draw up a play.
I'm thinking double screen and an easy backdoor or isolation play for
Smith. It's an iso
J for Smith, it's no good, but
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Akanni
normal'> White with a steal. That
leaves Rod Parrett wide open for a
three-pointer and it just pops out (it
looked good). Norcom
will shoot two free-throws with 11.5 seconds to play
in OT.
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
class=SpellE>Norcom Greyhounds led by nine in the fourth quarter before
King's Fork staged one of their classic comebacks, rallying to tie the score at
52-all to force overtime. That means
four minutes of action in OT.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Nearing the 2 minute mark, we're still searching for
the first points in the OT as both teams have traded some close misses and the
defense is really tough on both sides right now.
style=>
normal'>Malique Trent,
class=SpellE>Norcom's senior star and the Eastern District Player of the
Year, has fouled out with 2:02 to go and the Greyhounds could be watching this
one slip away.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Donte
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Ralph
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>makes
two consecutive free-throws for King's Fork and the Bulldogs then draw a charge
with 1:46 remaining, ahead by two on the Greyhounds, 54-52.
style=> Norcom is going to
find it mighty difficult to win this game without Trent, their primary
offensive option, down the stretch. They
have to turn to James Whitaker and
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Troy Locke to key the charge.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:24
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The foul shooting
in this one leaves a lot to be desired.
But that aside, this has been one heck of a ball game and fun to watch
with both teams playing with a great amount of intensity and desire on both
ends of the floor. It's sad that a
really fine ball club will be going home and denied a shot at playing
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan, the Peninsula District Champ, in the regional
semifinals on Sunday.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Antonio Parker misses the first foul
shot, and after a time-out, connects on the second to push the Greyhounds' lead
to 52-50. With 15.3 seconds left, King's
Fork senior guard and All-Southeastern District performer
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jacorey
normal'> Smith drives to the hole and scores to knot the score at 52.
style=> All I can say is WOW!
style=> The shot goes in with five seconds left.
style=> Coach Goolsby of
class=SpellE>Norcom gets a time-out with 2.4 seconds left to try and get
a shot here or else we'll see OT in the quarterfinals for a second straight night.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Another crazy turn of event, Norcom
turns it over underneath King's Fork's basket, giving the Bulldogs the ball
with 2.4 seconds left and a shot to win the game.
style=> King's Fork gets a good look, but
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Troy Locke (who missed 2 key FT's
earlier) comes to the rescue with a rejection.
We'll play overtime, folks, for the second night in a row.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>OT
- - King's Fork 52, Norcom 52
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>.
style=> Four more minutes of free basketball, who
doesn't love it? Well,
class=SpellE>Norcom fans aren't because they had this game won and if
they lose this will be a sick feeling for a long, long time.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:19
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Just needing some
free-throws to put this one away, Norcom fails to put
this one on ice as they miss a pair with 53 seconds left.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork, usually a dependable free-throw shooting
team (they made 11-of-11 at a game I saw earlier this year in the first half
vs. Oscar Smith), misses two free-throws.
But fortunately for the Bulldogs, they get the offensive rebound.
style=> The Bulldogs get another chance to tie it
with 22.2 seconds to go.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Freshman guard
normal'>Deshaun
class=SpellE>Wethington misses the first free-throw, and then makes
the second. With 19 seconds to go,
class=SpellE>Norcom calls a time-out, barely ahead by a count of 51-50.
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"'>A side note to
point out here in the Blog - - a much better crowd this evening than on
Wednesday night. Not a surprise as
class=SpellE>Norcom and King's Fork are two passionate fan bases, kind
of like the modern day versions of Booker T. Washington and Nansemond River in
terms of loyal crowds that support their team.
Anyways, back to the action.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork moves within two points down at 46-44 with
3:36 to go as the junkyard dog starts to fire up his squad,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Byron Taylor with the deuce.
style=> Norcom has to bring
Malique
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Trent back in soon.
style=> Coach Leon
Goolsby subs him in, and Trent goes to the basket
and draws the foul.
normal'>Troy Locke then scores and Antonio
Parker denies a Bulldogs shot attempt at the rim.
style=> That gives Norcom a
49-44 lead with 2:30 to play.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Rod
Parrett
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>hits a shot for King's Fork, but
normal'>James Whitaker answers to make it 51-46 in favor of the
Greyhounds. Whitaker misses a
three-pointer the next trip down on what was a puzzling shot attempt, and King's
Fork seizes the opportunity to move within a possession down.
style=>
normal'>Jacorey Smith drains
a three-pointer with 1:10 left, cutting the Norcom
lead to 51-49.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Can the Greyhounds hang on?
style=> Their shot selection has to be very selective
and wise or else King's Fork may steal this one in regulation or force
overtime.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:09
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With no shot clock,
I'm a little surprised that Norcom isn't trying to
slow the game down some because they don't need to rush.
style=> That plays into the hands of King's Fork
somewhat. The Greyhounds are in a good
rhythm offensively, though.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>What's troubling for Norcom
is that Trent will have to check out with 4:14 to play due to his fourth foul.
style=> King's Fork is on the bonus and they convert
at the foul line to cut the Greyhounds' lead down to 46-40 approaching the
midway mark. It's now 46-42 with 3:49 to
play after Norcom misses three shots at the rim and
King's Fork responds with a fast-break bucket by
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Donte
normal'> Ralph.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach Josh
Worrell calls time-out to set his defense up and his team has all the
energy and momentum on its side, especially with Trent not in the game.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>9:02
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The
class=SpellE>Greyhoudns are trying to continue their magical hot streak
and they are leaning on their two perimeter standouts in
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Malique
normal'> Trent and James Whitaker to
carry them to the finish line. Whitaker
hits a three-pointer and a jumper, followed by Trent's bucket.
style=> That increases the Norcom
lead to 42-33.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork is not out of it at all, but they need to
find an answer fast or else this will grow to a double-digit deficit.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:58
PM:
style=> We've reached the end of three periods of
play and the King's Fork Bulldogs have knocked down a couple of perimeter
jumpers, a three-pointer from
normal'>Jacorey Smith and
a long two from Rod Parrett with a
three-pointer from Norcom's
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Malique
normal'> Trent sandwiched in, to draw closer entering the fourth quarter.
style=> Norcom's lead is
only four.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Norcom 35, King's Fork 31
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork is hanging around, something they are
notorious for and if Norcom doesn't put
class=GramE>them away and gives them a chance to steal this game, they
will do it without blinking.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:51
PM:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
is starting to hit a bit of an offensive lull again and King's Fork is looking
to capitalize and cut into that deficit.
Rod Parrett buries a much
needed three-pointer for the Bulldogs and they trail only 31-26 with 3:14 to
play.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach Leon
class=SpellE>Goolsby asks a time-out as he knows his team is
starting to play just a pinch out of control.
He wants to settle them down and thwart any momentum for King's Fork
before this third quarter comes to a close.
If they don't, the dog pound here in attendance that came from Suffolk
will start to bark loudly.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:44
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork begins
the second half with a three-pointer from guard
normal'>Rod Parrett, much to the delight of Coach
normal'>Josh Worrell, who recently called Parrett one of his favorite
players to coach. After seeing that shot
go in there, it's easy to see why. Coach
Worrell is whistled for a rare bench warming.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
stays on the attack though and they get to the free-throw line, playing a much
smarter and under control brand of basketball than early on in the season when
they were 8-7 overall. Of course,
they've rallied around the tragic death of their assistant coach
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Barney Stevenson and they're playing
with a lot of emotion during this postseason run.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Greyhounds are still ahead, 30-23 on King's Fork
with 5:02 to go, but Jacorey
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith has three fouls and will have to
play the rest of the period without picking up his fourth or they'll be in
serious trouble.
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"'>Who will see
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan in Sunday's Eastern Region Tournament semifinals
and join the Warriors, Great Bridge and Hampton?
style=> It'll either be the Eastern District
Tournament Champion Greyhounds from Norcom or
Southeastern District Tournament Champion King's Fork Bulldogs.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through 16 minutes of play, it's Norcom
in front. Here are some numbers courtesy
href="http://www.statva.com">www.statva.com) at the break.
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"'>Norcom
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> 26:
Malique Trent - - 10Pts. 4-8FG, 2-3 3's, 4Reb.
James Whitaker - - 6Pts. 3-6FG, 4Reb.
Troy Locke - - 8Pts. 3-4FG, 2-2FT
Greyhounds - - 10-22FG, 2-7 3's, 4-6FT, 14Reb. (13Def.),
5Ast. 5TO's, 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's
Fork 18:
Akanni White - - 7Pts. 3-7FG, 2Reb.
Byron Taylor - - 6Pts. 2-6FG, 2-4FT, 6Reb.
Rod Parrett - - 3Pts. 1-5FG, 1-2 3's, 3Reb.
Bulldogs - - 7-28FG, 1-4 3's, 3-5FT, 21Reb. (9Off.) 1Ast.
7TO's, 3Stl.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
two weapons from the outside, Whitaker and Trent, are explosive and showed a
hot streak to close the first half.
Another at any juncture in the second half will be enough in my opinion
for the Greyhounds to hold on and win.
This King's Fork team has a lot of fight in it and battled back from a
16-point fourth quarter deficit against Western Branch in the Southeastern
District Tournament Championship a week ago.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork is +8 on the offensive glass, and if that
continues in the second half, they can claw its way back.
style=> Keeping Smith out of foul trouble is vital,
though.
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"'>We're seeing much
better offensive execution by Norcom against the
King's Fork defense. After
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>James Whitaker knotted the score at
12-apiece, King's Fork would take a brief 15-14 lead on
normal'>Rod Parrett's three-pointer.
Norcom came right back behind Eastern District
Player of the Year Malique
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Trent, who is starting to get in a
groove.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Trent scores to put the Greyhounds up, King's Fork
answers with Akanni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> White's three-point play, but then
class=GramE>it's Malique again with a
jumper. Trent then sinks a three-pointer
and Norcom takes total advantage of Bulldogs guard
class=SpellE>Jacorey
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Smith getting whistled for his second
foul. Norcom
closes out the quarter with a bang as Trent gets a steal, followed by two field
goals from Whitaker.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Greyhounds end the first half on a 9-0 run to take
a 26-18 lead into intermission. We'll have some numbers in a few minutes, be
sure to check back!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>8:19
PM:
style=> King's Fork is really digging in well
defensively. It's looking as if playing
in this environment and atmosphere at the Norfolk Scope, on a big floor, just
one year ago is paying dividends for the Bulldogs compared to
class=SpellE>Norcom, which is making its first trip here since that
fantastic trio of Dorian Finney-Smith, DeCarlos
Anderson and Jeremy Canty departed.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bulldogs have gone to a 2-3 zone defense and
trapping the corner really well. It has
class=SpellE>Norcom a little befuddled for the time being.
style=> All Norcom needs to
do to adjust is overload one side and there will be a cutter down the
middle. Let's say if they recognize that
as the game progresses.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
is starting to get out of its early offensive funk and North Carolina
class=GramE>A&T commit James
Whitaker ties the score at 12-apiece with 5:39 before half-time.
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"'>It has been a
somewhat ugly opening quarter with both teams trading some turnovers,
a couple early baskets and with 1:29 to go in the period it's King's Fork
leading Norcom 8-6.
An offensive rebound and stick-back by
normal'>Wallace McDowney, a player that has
progressed as the season has gone on, pushes that lead to 10-6.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
isn't getting the outside jumpers to fall early and it'll be interesting to see
how Coach Leon Goolsby
gets them to adjust or counter that in the second quarter.
style=> Troy
Locke, a junior, has four of their six points so far.
style=> For King's Fork,
normal'>Byron Taylor has four points, mostly off his activity and non-stop
motor, and Akanni
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> White has contributed four
points. The good news for King's fork is
their two best scoring weapons at the guard spot,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jacorey
normal'> Smith and Rod Parrett have
yet to get hot, and they normally do,.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>On the flip side, Norcom has
yet to get Malique
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Trent or
normal'>James Whitaker on track shooting the ball and those are two of the
streakiest, most explosive perimeter wings/shooters around.
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"'>We are underway in
the nightcap on this Thursday of the Eastern Region Tournament quarterfinals in
Boys Basketball, where the Eastern District Champion Norcom
Greyhounds (17-7) take on the Southeastern District Tournament Champion King's
Fork Bulldogs (22-4) with a date against Kecoughta in
Sunday's regional semifinals the prize.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Norcom
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
got eliminated by King's Fork in the opening round of last year's Eastern
Region Tournament, but beat the Bulldogs earlier this season in Suffolk.
style=> Who wins this time?
style=> It's very close to call and tough to
say. Both teams rely on their perimeter
play greatly with the Greyhounds asking their guards to strike from behind the
three-point line more and the Bulldogs looking for theirs to attack off the
dribble.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Whichever team can get a lift from its bench and
maximize its possessions via the offensive glass will have a great shot at
pulling it out.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's in the books
and the Kecoughtan Warriors are headed to the Eastern
Region Tournament semifinals for a third time under Coach
normal'>Ivan Thomas in four seasons.
The Warriors improve their record to 23-4 overall, and despite some
sluggish moments late, the Warriors were outstanding at times.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western Branch's fine season comes to a close at 18-9
overall.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>BOYS QUARTERS FINAL SCORE - -
KECOUGHTAN 77, WESTERN BRANCH 66
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Some numbers from Mike
Whittington & STATVA (www.statva.com)
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 77:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(23-4 Overall)
Rajay Bullock - - 27Pts. 10-23FG, 7-7FT, 15Reb. 4Ast
class=GramE>.
Greg Alexander - - 23Pts. 9-15FG, 2-5 3's, 3-4FT, 5Reb.
Lawrence Williams - - 16Pts. 7-10FG, 3Reb. 2Stl.
Kaelin Poe - - 9Pts. 4-4FG, 6Reb. 3Blk
class=GramE>.
Warriors - - 31-57FG, 3-8 3's, 12-16FT, 39Reb. 12Ast. 17TO's,
4Blk. 9Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western
Branch Bruins 66:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (18-9 Overall)
Demonte Burns - - 19Pts. 8-12FG, 2-4 3's, 2Reb. 5Ast
class=GramE>.
Jashad Jamison - - 19Pts. 9-17FG, 9Reb. 2Blk
class=GramE>.
Desmond Johnson - - 12Pts. 5-13FG, 2-2FT, 4Reb.
Nigel Ribeiro - - 9Pts. 3-14FG, 1-7 3's, 2-2FT, 6Reb.
3Ast. 8Stl.
Bruins 28-66FG, 4-23 3's, 6-9FT, 31Reb. 12Ast. 11TO's, 2Blk.
10Stl.
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1367447.WMA">Postgame Audio with
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan Coach Ivan Thomas
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan's Greg Alexander
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western Branch ordinarily wins when they score 66
points, but they couldn't get enough defensive stops against a
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan team that got 50 points combined from their two
main guns, Bullock and Alexander, and 16 points off the pine from Williams on
an efficient 7-of-10 shooting. Western
Branch cooled off considerably shooting it from deep with just four makes from
deep after seeing C.J. Thomas drain six from downtown vs. Kellam
on Monday.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
knows they must play better defensively moving forward to continue to
advance. With the way Bullock is
dominating games and the length the Warriors have on the front-line, it's a
problem for any team they face moving forward.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>7:10
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As much as the
defensive lapses hurt Kecoughtan early, the offensive
mistakes are preventing them from getting any separation from a Western Branch
team that simply won't quit.
style=> The Warriors just turned it over for a 19th
time this evening, and that came after a
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Demonte
normal'> Burns three-pointer trimmed the Kecoughtan
lead to 71-64.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western Branch looks for another long shot to make it
just a two possession game, but it's off the mark and
normal'>Will Askew grabs the board.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Moments earlier for Kecoughtan,
ECU signee Greg Alexander threw down
big-time jam that was SportsCenter worthy as
well.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Rajay
normal'> Bullock rejects a driving lay-up attempt for Western Branch, but
the Warriors are missing some opportunities at the foul line to put this away
and giving up some offensive boards.
Coach Ivan Thomas can't be
pleased with how Kecoughtan has finished this game as
they had a great shot to go up and win by 20-plus, but are stuck up only nine
with 34.5 seconds to play.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Regardless of some sluggish moments in the fourth
quarter, Kecoughatn will move on to Sunday's
semifinals of the Eastern Region Tournament it appears and play the winner of
the next quarterfinal between King's Fork and Norcom.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:58
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Every time Western
Branch thinks they are right back in it and they get a fast-break opportunity
or lay-up at the rim, Kecoughtan comes right back to
dash those hopes with a basket, either in the painted area or a wide open
jumper.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 3:48 to go though, Western Branch has whittled
down a Kecoughtan lead that was as many as 16 to 11
at 66-55. It's hard to envision them
completing a comeback because of how
normal'>Rajay Bullock has
taken over; the Providence signee and tri-Player of the Year in the Peninsula
District has 24 points. He's got plenty
of help from the supporting cast with Greg
Alexander and Lawrence Williams chipping
in 16 points apiece.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western Branch has to create a couple turnovers with
their press, and be very mindful of where Bullock is at all times because the
6-foot-7 forward is so unique because of his ability to handle the basketball.
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"'>It's becoming an
Xbox360 three-point shoot-pout in here at the Norfolk Scope.
style=> Lawrence
Williams, the game's super sub coming off the bench for Kecoughtan,
drains one from deep, but Western Branch's Nigel
Ribeiro says right back at you with the long
distance connect.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Warriors are getting their big man involved heavily
in the offense now though as
normal'>Rajay Bullock scores
on back-to-back trips in the paint; he's got 22 points through three
periods. Defensively though,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan is having some mental lapses that could cost
them later on at some point in the postseason if they don't correct.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Will
Askew
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>closes out the third quarter for the Warriors with a
gorgeous alley-oop feed to senior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kaelin
normal'> Poe for the flush. Folks,
that slam was simply a thing of beauty and should be on SportsCenter
later.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Kecoughtan 60, Western Branch 47
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bruins, fresh off their first region playoff win
since 1999, need a special comeback and it's not likely going to happen here
because the Warriors have too many weapons to try to stop to slice into this
lead all the way in my opinion.
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"'>This game has kind
of turned into a defense optional affair, at least compared to last night.
style=> Both teams are getting up and down the floor
with regularity and scoring on the other fairly easily.
style=> With 4:08 to go in the third quarter,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan is still up, but it's not as comfortable as it
was earlier.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bruins have trimmed the Warriors' advantage to
42-33.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Jashad
normal'> Jamison and
normal'>Demonte Burns,
two of Western Branch's seniors that have been through the tough times, losing
seasons and some great battles in the past couple years, have combined for 23
points.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kaelin
normal'> Poe's block led to a Greg
Alexander lay-up at the other end.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Coach Chris
class=SpellE>Fuhrmann has to like that his Bruins are starting to
chip away, but Ivan Thomas has the
secret weapon in Rajay
Bullock, who throws down a monster jam.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:30
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We've reached
half-time and Kecoughtan is in firm control.
style=> Fortunately for Western Branch, they don't go
to the locker room down quite as much thanks to
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Demonte
normal'> Burns' three-pointer to take the deficit from 16 to 13.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Half
- - Kecoughtan 36, Western Branch 23
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are some numbers of note
thanks to our pal Mike Whittington of
href="http://www.statva.com">www.statva.com):
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"'> 36:
Lawrence Williams - - 11Pts. 5-8FG, 2Reb. 2Stl.
Rajay Bullock - - 10Pts. 4-12FG, 2-2FT, 10Reb. 3Ast
class=GramE>.
Greg Alexander - - 9Pts. 4-6FG, 1-2 3's, 2Reb.
Kaelin Poe
- - 4Pts. 2-2FG
Warriors - - 16-31FG, 1-4 3's, 3-4FT, 20Reb. 6Ast.
5TO's, 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western
Branch 23:
Demonte Burns - - 9Pts. 4-5FG, 1-2 3's
Jashad Jamison - - 7Pts. 3-6FG, 1-2FT, 1Reb. 1Blk
class=GramE>.
C.J. Thomas - - 5Pts. 2-4FG, 1-3 3's, 2Reb.
Bruins - - 10-24FG, 2-9 3's, 1-4FT, 11Reb. 3Ast. 7TO's, 2Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Bruins aren't doing that bad of a job offensively
and getting a lot of good looks at the basket, but defensively is where they
are getting eaten up as the Warriors are shooting 51.6% from the floor and it
seems like 60%. Kecoughtan's
offensive rebounding has allowed them to make it seem higher, plus the Warriors
have 11 points off turnovers. Bullock's
10 boards alone is nearly as much as the Bruins
have.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Western Branch just has to take better care of the ball
to start the second half. If you're
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan, stomp on their throat early and take away any
doubt and increase the lead over 20 to where it puts the nail in the
coffin. That's the difference between
good teams and great teams, Championship caliber ones and the Warriors aspire
to be that this postseason.
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"'>A nice drive by
Western Branch's Demonte
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Burns allows the Bruins to cut the
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan lead down from 11 to nine
midway through the second quarter, but they can't find an answer
defensively for the Warriors.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Lawrence Williams is driving to the cup
at will, Greg Alexander is scoring
inside and outside, and Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock's length and skill level is
slowly but surely starting to take effect in this one.
normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
lead is back up to double-figures, 32-19 with just under two minutes to go in
the first half, and Ivan Thomas has
to feel this is the best first half showing his team has shown at the Scope in
the Eastern Region Tournament yet since his arrival to the program from T.C.
Williams, where he won a state title back in 2008.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bullock is starting to heat up; he now has eight points
to go with Williams' 11 and Alexander's nine.
Western Branch trying to put its first guy in double-figuers.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:20
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 6:15 to play,
Western Branch is trying to inch its way back in it and might
class=GramE>be able to do so to a certain degree now that sophomore
point guard Marcell
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Haskett of
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan has to go to the bench with his second
foul.
normal'>C.J. Thomas hits a three-pointer for Western Branch; he's drained
12 over his last two games, including six in the first quarter alone vs.
class=SpellE>Kellam.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Right now though, Western Branch's defense does not
have an answer for Lawrence Williams'
penetration. At times, the Bruins are
over penetrating and settling for some 3's, leading to fast-break opportunities
for Kecoughtan.
The Bruins do want to play up-tempo, and while the Warriors are
effective at doing that, Kecoughtan has to be careful
not to let Western Branch make it a speedy and sloppy game that allows them to
crawl back into it little by little.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
leads 22-15 with 4:47 to go in the second quarter, and Williams, who has 10
points off the pine for the Warriors, heads to the foul line to shoot a pair.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>6:14
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>At the end of the
first quarter, it's all Kecoughtan, comfortably ahead
18-8 on Western Branch and doing a great job of executing its offense in the
half-court. They are driving pretty much
whenever they want, and while
normal'>Jashad Jamison of
the Bruins has done a pretty solid job defensively on Providence signee
class=SpellE>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock of the Warriors,
class=SpellE>Kecoughtan is starting to open up the defense by spreading
the floor and getting really good perimeter looks.
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"'>Out of the gate,
Western Branch has shown some good energy and responded from a 4-0 deficit and
two quick Kecoughtan baskets by Providence signee
class=SpellE>Rajay
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Bullock and East Carolina signee
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Greg Alexander, who I might add has one
of the purest shooting strokes in all of Virginia.
style=> The Bruins answer with baskets by
class=SpellE>Jashad
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Jamison and
normal'>C.J. Thomas.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kecoughtan's
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
lead is only 8-6, but the Warriors are playing at a patient pace that makes you
think a run is coming very soon.
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"'>The Boys Eastern
Region Tournament quarterfinals tonight between the Western Branch Bruins
(18-8), the #3 seed out of the Southeastern District, and the Peninsula
District's top seed, the Kecoughtan Warriors
(22-4). That'll be followed by Eastern
District #1 seed Norcom vs. Southeastern District #2
seed King's Fork.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Before we get to that tip, let's review the numbers
from Lake Taylor's 61-56 victory over King's Fork in the Eastern Region Girls
Basketball Tournament quarterfinals.
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 61:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (24-0 Overall)
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 24Pts. 6-27FG, 4-7 3's,
8-12FT, 10Reb. 9Ast. 2Stl.
Endia McKinney - - 14Pts. (12 in 2nd Half), 7-11FG,
8Reb.
Kyara Cooper - - 8Pts. 3-10FG, 2-7 3's, 5Reb.
Jordan Mitchell-Harmel - - 8Pts.
2-12FG, 3-5FT, 14Reb. 4Ast. 2Stl.
Courtney White - - 7Pts. 3-6FG, 2Reb.
Lady Titans - - 21-69FG, 8-20 3's, 11-18FT, 49Reb.
class=GramE>14Ast. 12TO's, 7Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's
Fork Lady Bulldogs 56:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (23-4 Overall)
Khadedra Croker - - 14Pts. 7-12FG, 9Reb.
class=GramE>(9Def.), 3Ast. 6Blk.
Chantel Roberts - - 12Pts. 6-13FG, 9Reb. 6Ast
class=GramE>.
Julissa Riddick - - 11Pts. 5-10FG, 3Reb. 4Ast. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Adrienna McCrary - - 9Pts. 3-8FG, 1-5 3's, 4Reb.
Lady Bulldogs - - 24-52FG, 2-13 3's, 6-9FT, 33Reb.
class=GramE>17Ast. 17TO's, 6Stl.
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1367261.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Lake Taylor Lady Titans Coach Saundra Sawyer
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Needing to foul
down a deuce, King's Fork finally does and Lake Taylor heads to the foul line
with 22.7 seconds to go. The Lady Titans
miss the front-end of a one-and-one opportunity, but get the offensive board
and will shoot a one-and-one again with 19.6 seconds left.
style=> King's Fork still has life after the miss,
except Lake Taylor gets the offensive rebound AGAIN.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 16.3 seconds to go,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald makes two free-throws to push the Lady Titans' lead to
four. They then steal the inbounds pass
and Fitzgerald makes 1-of-2 at the foul line.
Another King's Fork turnover will do it, and a valiant effort by the
Lady Bulldogs comes up short. Lake
Taylor's Girls squad has been tremendous and they keep their record
unblemished, moving to 24-0 overall.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>GIRLS QUARTERS FINAL SCORE - - LAKE
TAYLOR 61, KING'S FORK 56
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Final Numbers coming momentarily, and don't forget,
we've got two Boys Basketball games in the quarterfinals upcoming with Western
Branch vs. Kecoughtan followed by Norcom
taking on King's Fork.
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"'>King's Fork is
starting to get better movement against that usually difficult to
class=GramE>solve 1-3-1 zone defense of Lake Taylor.
style=> It's still tied with 2:38 to play in a game
that has gotten extra scrappy, physical and aggressive for Girls Hoops, a real
good one here at the Scope.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A missed three-pointer that would've given King's Fork
the lead with 2:05 to go turns into a Lake Taylor three-point lead with 1:52
left as Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald feeds sophomore guard
class=SpellE>Kyara
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Cooper for a trey.
style=> Credit the Lake Taylor offensive execution
with great spacing, spreading the floor and finding the open shooter
consistently this afternoon.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>With 1:29 to go,
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Julissa
normal'> Riddick makes 1-of-2 from the foul line for King's Fork to trim
the Lake Taylor lead to 58-56.
class=GramE>It's Lake Taylor ball with 45.2 seconds to go and up two, so
King's Fork will have to get a turnover or foul here.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5:03
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>To counter the 2-3
class=GramE>zone by King's Fork, Coach
normal'>Saundra Sawyer has turned to a 1-3-1 zone defense to bottle up the
Lady Bulldogs' offense in the half-court.
But Lake Taylor is giving up some offensive rebounds and that's allowing
King's Fork to hang around, trailing only 52-51 with 5:04 remaining after their
latest put-back.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor has to feel confident because their star
guard Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald has thrived in so many
close games before, but King's Fork is playing like a very live underdog and
the Lady Bulldogs are trying to notch arguably the biggest win in school
history. One or two mistakes late may
ultimately determine the outcome of this game.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:59
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Utilizing a 2-3 zone
defense, King's Fork has stayed within striking distance of Lake Taylor, trying
to stay unbeaten and move on to the regional semifinals on Sunday vs. reigning
Eastern Region Champ Woodside.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Endia
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> McKinney
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>of
Lake Taylor had 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter for the Lady Titans to
really spark their offense, getting most of those points off feeds from star
guard Feyonda
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Fitzgerald, the Temple commit.
style=> Sophomore
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Kyara
normal'> Cooper hit a huge three-pointer to break a 47-all tie with King's
Fork with under a minute to go in the third quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork missed two lay-ups underneath that would've
drawn them closer before the end of the third period.
style=>
normal'>Khadedra Croker has
been a factor with 14 points, but the Lady Bulldogs have to keep the tempo up
to have a shot in this one because scoring in the half-court has been tricky at
times vs. this Lake Taylor defense.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>End
3rdQ - - Lake Taylor Girls 50, King's Fork 47
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>This has been one of the best games of the tournament
so far.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:47
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork comes
out of the second half very inspired and sharing the basketball exceedingly
well. They move it around and get a
three-pointer from Adrieanna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> McCrary to take a 39-37 lead less than
two minutes into the third quarter to answer
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald's tying bucket for Lake Taylor.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>After Lake Taylor gets two offensive rebounds, one
leading to a basket, and it must be pointed out that
normal'>Jordan Mitchell-Harmel is hustling really
well on the offensive glass, the Lady Bulldogs come back for a deuce
again. Lake Taylor ties it at 41-all on
class=SpellE>Endia
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> McKinney's bucket and this has a very
exciting, up-tempo pace about it that reminds you of a Boys game.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>McKinney is warming up and giving Lake Taylor that
second, reliable scorer to complement Fitzgerald; she's got six of her eight
points this half and the Lady Titans are on top 43-41 with 5:10 left in the
third quarter.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:39
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are some
numbers at the break in this Girls Eastern Region Tournament quarterfinal match
between undefeated Lake Taylor and King's Fork.
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"'>Lake
Taylor 32:
Feyonda Fitzgerald - - 17Pts. 5-21FG, 4-6 3's, 3-4FT,
7Reb. 4Ast.
Courtney White - - 7Pts. 3-5FG, 2PF
Jordan Mitchell-Harmel - - 4Pts. 1-7FG, 3Reb.
Lady Titans - - 11-40FG, 6-12 3's, 4-6FT, 22Reb.
class=GramE>6Ast. 5TO's, 5Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's
Fork 32:
Khadedra Croker - - 8Pts. 4-9FG, 8Reb.
class=GramE>(8Def.), 1Ast. 2PF
Chantel Roberts - - 8Pts. 4-6FG, 7Reb. 3Ast
class=GramE>.
Adrienna McCrary - - 4Pts. 2-6FG, 3Reb.
Lady Bulldogs - - 14-31FG, 1-7 3's, 3-4FT, 24Reb.
class=GramE>10Ast. 10TO's, 2Stl.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Lake Taylor has done a great job shooting from behind
the arc. Fitzgerald is on pace to shoot
42 shots, which would be some kind of record or something.
style=> I see her being more of a distributor this
half though and getting to the foul line when the opportunities are there.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For King's Fork, they have to like how they are
rebounding and getting the ball in deep, but they must continue to hit the
offensive glass and keep the turnovers to a minimum; if that total grows above
20 they are in trouble.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:27
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Wow, it's been an
entertaining second quarter to say the least here at the Norfolk Scope between
the Lady Titans of Lake Taylor and King's Fork.
King's Fork tied the score at 16 early in the period on
class=SpellE>Adrienna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> McCrary's bucket and then Lake Taylor
revved up its offense behind star guard
normal'>Feyonda Fitzgerald.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Temple-bound guard lit it up from beyond the arc
and you could hear some chants of 'Fey for 3.'
Fitzgerald isn't just a scorer either; she's a great playmaker, who on
the break had the presence of mind to stop, pull up on her dribble and feed it to
an open teammate in Courtney White,
who scored five straight points in a key sequence in the second quarter.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork didn't flinch one bit though and came back from
Fitzgerald's back-to-back three-pointers and the five straight points from
White. Junior
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Shanell
normal'> Pope drained an important three-pointer, the lone one of the half
for the Lady Bulldogs, and McCrary's hoop before the horn tied the score at the
half.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Half
- - King's Fork Girls 32, Lake Taylor 32
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We'll have stats in a little bit!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Through one quarter
of play, it's deadlocked at 12 between King's Fork and Lake Taylor.
style=> Coach Maurice
Fofana of the Lady Bulldogs has to be pleased
that his team is hanging in there against the tenacious full-court press of
Lake Taylor. However, let's point out
that press is built to wear teams down over 32 minutes as much as force
turnovers that translate into easy buckets.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork has gotten the ball inside effectively to
class=SpellE>Khadedra
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Croker, who got called for an early
charge, but responded with some key buckets inside, plus an elbow area
jumper.
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Chantel
normal'> Roberts and
normal'>Adrienna McCrary are
getting some high percentage looks in the painted area as well.
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 underway in
the second Girls Basketball quarterfinal matchup in the Eastern Region Tournament
at the Norfolk Scope. Unbeaten Lake
Taylor, which won a state title back in 2010, has another group capable of
making a deep run in the tournament like that squad did.
style=> Coach Saundra
Sawyer watched her husband Hank led the football team to a football state
title back in December and the Girls Hoops team has its eye on a second trophy
come March.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>King's Fork is led by its interior star, junior center
class=SpellE>Khadedra
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Croker, who can score, rebound and
block shots with the best of them. Lake
Taylor has the Eastern District Player of the Year in guard
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Feyonda
normal'> Fitzgerald, who'll play her College Basketball at Temple.
style=> They have a host of others that are able to
fill it up with Fitzgerald.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:25
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It's in the books
and the Woodside Lady Wolverines are heading to Sunday's Eastern Region
Tournament semifinals. The reigning
Eastern Region Champs await the winner of Lake Taylor/Kings' Fork.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>GIRLS QUARTERS FINAL SCORE - - WOODSIDE
54, GRASSFIELD 45
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Here are the Final Stats 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"'>Woodside
Lady Wolverines 54:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
style=> (26-1 Overall)
Adrienne Motley - - 20Pts. 5-21FG, 10-12FT, 8Reb. 3Ast. 2Stl.
Aianna Kelly - - 18Pts. 6-14FG, 6-9FT, 10Reb.
class=GramE>(8Off.), 3Ast. 4Stl.
Kemonei Earp - - 6Pts. 2-5FG, 2-4FT, 11Reb.
DaQuila Washington - - 6Pts. 3-4FG, 5Reb.
Lady Wolverines - - 18-48FG, 0-1 3's, 18-27FT, 42Reb. 8Ast.
11TO's, 8Stl.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Grassfield
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Lady Grizzlies 45:
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
(21-5 Overall)
Derika Sims - - 10Pts. 5-7FG, 5Reb.
Nola Anderson - - 10Pts. 5-14FG, 0-7 3's, 3Reb. 2Ast.
Felise Keys - - 10Pts. 4-10FG, 2-5 3's
Cortni Williams - - 9Pts. 4-12FG, 1-3Ft, 3Ast. 2Stl
class=GramE>.
Lady Grizzlies - - 21-51FG, 2-14 3's, 1-4FT, 25Reb. 11Ast.
10TO's, 5Stl.
href="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/914/1367212.WMA">Postgame Audio with
Woodside Lady Wolverines Coach Mike Tallon
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Certainly the difference in the game for Woodside
besides having two stars in Motley, a Top 100 prospect in the nation, and Kelly
who can create their own shot was rebounding.
They crashed the offensive glass for a 17-2 second chance
class=GramE>points advantage and played really sound defensively down
the stretch, committing only five personal fouls for the whole game.
style=> Their experience of playing in big games
shined through down the stretch.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Up next it's undefeated Lake Taylor (23-0) taking on
King's Fork (23-3) in a battle between the Eastern District Champion, both
regular season and tournament, and the Southeastern District tourney
Champ. Stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:15
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It looks like the
reigning Eastern Region Champion Woodside Lady Wolverines will be moving to
26-1 overall and playing in the regional semifinals on Sunday against the
winner of the next game between Lake Taylor/King's Fork.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>It was deadlocked at 39-all in the fourth quarter with
just under five minutes to play when Woodside closed strong on a 15-4 spurt,
keyed by their two D-1 standouts in Adrienne
Motley (Miami) and Ainna
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Kelly (Presbyterian).
style=> Those two combined for 38 points, 16 of which
came from the free-throw line, as well as 18 rebounds, six assists and six
steals.
115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Grassfield
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
put three players in double-figures with
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'>Derika
normal'> Sims, Nola Anderson and
Felise
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'> Keys, but couldn't make enough outside
shots to keep pace, going 0-for-4 in the second half from long distance.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>My National Hoops Expert sitting next to me here
courtside, Jonathan Watford, tells
me the difference was second chance points.
Woodside got 19 offensive rebounds, turning that into a 17-2 second
chance points advantage.
style=> Once again, Jay was spot on with that
analysis.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>So Woodside gets a 54-45 victory.
style=> Back with some final numbers in a few . . .
stay tuned!
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3:00
PM:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We're
Baaaaack! It's Day 2of the Eastern
Region High School Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at the Norfolk Scope,
where the action will try to match what was a wild Wednesday, especially in the
nightcap that saw an overtime thriller and a buzzer-beater.
style=>
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Before we get to today's slate, here are the scores
from Tuesday's quarterfinals in case you missed them.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Boys
Quarters Final - - Hampton 50, Landstown 49 (OT
class=GramE>)
Boys Quarters Final - - Great Bridge 54, Maury 42
Girls Quarters Final - - Princess Anne 70, Wilson 38
Girls Quarters Final - - Maury 51, Western Branch 42
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>See
Wednesday's Live BLOG Here
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As always, the region playoffs at Scope means we have
some exciting basketball in store and you can stay tuned here to the site and
feed for Updates, Analysis, Stats and tons of reaction.
"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let's go into the schedule and then go through the
picks I have set. For the first round of
the AAA Region Playoffs around the state, I went an unprecedented 28-0.
style=> That was followed by a rough 7-5 record in
Round Two for the Central, Northern and Northwest Region, bringing my total
mark to 35-5. Yesterday, I went 4-0 to
go to 39-5 overall.
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Thursday's
Eastern Region Tournament Quarterfinals Schedule:
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2:00
PM (Girls) - - #1 Woodside (25-1) vs. #3 Grassfield
(21-4)
4:00 PM (Girls) - - #1 Lake Taylor (23-0) vs. #2 King's Fork (23-3)
6:00 PM (Boys) - - #3 Western Branch (18-8) vs. #1 Kecoughtan
(23-4)
8:00 PM (Boys) - - #1 Norcom (17-7) vs. #2 King's
Fork (22-4)
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"'>Woodside
Girls by 6, Lake Taylor Girls by 15
Kecoughtan Boys by 12, King's Fork Boys by 2
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
"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 info and
updates. To contact Matthew, please
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
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"'>
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"'>
Sign up for premium access to VirginiaPreps.com with a 7-day free trial!
Check out our FREE top prospect listings:
Class of 2012 |
Class of 2013 |
Class of 2014 |
Class of 2015 (Premium)
Follow all the hoops commitments via
our
Basketball Commitments Tracker (FREE!)
The
VIP Board provides the latest in recruiting updates plus in-depth top
prospects lists for football, basketball and baseball!