by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
(804) 240-2191
slewis@digitalsports.com
What’s going on? It’s Stephen Lewis here live at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax for the state Group AAA quarterfinals.
The girls are about to kickoff, Atlee (24-4) leaving Mechanicsville to face unbeaten Oakton (28-0). Just keep refreshing your page for updates!
First Period
Atlee gets possession off the tip. Tight defense from Oakton, but Britt Hill gets loose for the first two points of the contest.
Erin McGartland scores off a nice inbounds play for Oakton to tie the contest. Then Caroline Coyer knifes through the lane for a 4-2 Oakton lead.
Sydney Henderson coast-to-coast, ties it at four, then bombs a 3-pointer from the top of the key and scores in transition. Atlee 9-8, with 3:52 to go.
Henderson is on fire, hitting another 3-pointer to force an Oakton timeout at 3:31. She has 10 points already. Atlee 12-8.
It continues! Henderson knocks in another trey. Atlee 15-8, 13 points for Henderson.
Pace of play picking up as Zora Stephenson bangs in a trey for Oakton. Atlee 15-11, 2:16 to go. Offensive foul nullifies another Henderson 3-pointer, giving McGartland’s 3-pointer a chance to cut the lead to one.
McGartland again, over Richelle Price for two. Uh-oh, Price just picked up her second foul at the end of the first period, as Henderson’s layup is too late. Oakton leads 16-15 going into the second period.
Second Period
Oakton’s Katherine Coyer gets to the line to start the period for Oakton. She hits the first free throw. And the second, Oakton 18-15.
Katherine and Caroline Coyer are freshmen twins that are very tough players. So is McGartland. Her stickback forces an Atlee timeout, 20-15 Oakton.
Taylor Henderson, Sydney’s sister, cuts through the lane and is found by Taylor Ashcraft for Atlee’s first second period points. But Katherine Coyer answers, followed by a Price bucket. Oakton 22-19, 5:32.
Taylor is off early, she misses her first free-throw attempt. And the second. But Hill steals the ball from Oakton and finishes on the break with the foul. She hits nothing but net on the free throw, game tied at 22, until McGartland again gets on the offensive glass. Oakton 24-22, 4:33.
Weave action allows Caroline Coyer to bomb a 3-pointer, Oakton 27-24 with 3:44 left in the half.
In other news, Terrell Owens just signed with the Buffalo Bills. One year, $6.5 million.
Back to the action, as Caroline hits a short jumper. Oakton has its biggest lead, 29-24. Oakton’s defense is much tougher on Sydney Henderson, so Price gets loose on the baseline.
Caroline back to the line, strokes two free throws, nothing but twine. Oakton 31-26, two minutes to go.
Stephenson is left open on the left wing again, knocking in another trey. Oakton 34-26. Tori Eberle is giving Atlee some minutes, but her putback misses.
Katherine Coyer goes to the line now, the Cougars are living at the stripe. She hits both for a 10-point lead.
McGartland is Oakton’s MVP of the game so far. Her latest move, a clean strip of Price. She threw it down to Stephenson, who strokes a jumper. The bank is open for Taylor Henderson at the buzzer, but Atlee trails 38-28 at halftime. WHEW, my fingers are getting a little tired!
Wednesday at the Siegel Center at 3 p.m., the winner of this contest will face Lake Taylor, who downed Forest Park earlier Saturday.
Third Period
The half didn’t cool Zora Stephenson, she hits another 3-pointer. All of the Cougar girls can hit from the perimeter. Oakton 41-28.
Price is at the line for Atlee, she swishes the first and the second. Oakton by 11. Quick hands by Hill gets the steal and she finishes on the break from Sydney.
Sasha Borojeni gets in the book for Oakton, 42-32 lead.
Atlee’s looking tired on defense as Brianna Johnson waltzes down the lane for two. Oakton 44-32, 5:28 of the third. Caroline with a nifty layup for the Cougars. I think they’ll be good for a while with these two freshmen and the sophomore Stephenson.
Atlee turns the ball over, getting former U.Va. star and Atlee coach Anna Prillaman off the bench for a 30-second timeout. Oakton 46-32.
Richelle Price gets loose or two, then Sydney’s tight D forces a TO. Price puts it on spin cycle, two more. Oakton lead cut to 10.
Atlee’s not rebounding, as Borojeni strokes a 3-pointer on their third shot at the basket. Another offensive rebounds leads to a 3-pointer from Caroline. Oakton 52-36, 2:44.
Caroline Coyer, the Northern Region tournament MVP, hits another 3-pointer. Seems like Oakton has 25 treys already. Oakton 55-36, Atlee timeout.
Stephenson for another bonus shot, WOW. Oakton 58-37.
Atlee is dead tired. Everyone is walking back to the bench, hands high or on hips.
Fourth Period
Sydney Henderson hits two free throws, lead down to 19. Raiders show pressure, Oakton breaks it but Price blocks McGartland’s shot. Atlee’s showing some energy, but it may be too late.
McGartland again, driving the lane and scores with the foul. She’s a 5-8 senior, tough today. She completes the three-point play, Oakton 61-39.
Oakton scores again 63-39. The Cougars are one 3-pointer away from tying the state tournament record in a game of nine.
Beautiful outlet from Price to Sydney to Hill for two. Lead by 20 for Oakton.
Borojeni’s would-be 3-pointer bounces out. Timeout Cougars, 3:16.
Stephenson steps inside the 3-point line, scoring from McGartland.
McGartland just twisted in ankle, not good for the Cougars. She’s sucking it up and stays in, she’s a senior. Doesn’t want to waste any more moments.
McGartland (16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists) goes out to a standing ovation minutes later as the game is in hand for Oakton, 69-45.
Sydney Henderson fouls out, ending a spectacular Raider career. She’ll play in college, look for an announcement soon!
Reserves for both teams are getting some state tournament time. Marisa Mahony ties the 3-point record at the buzzer! Oakton wins 74-45.
Atlee 15 13 9 8 – 45
Oakton 16 22 20 16 – 74
Atlee (24-5): Townes 0, Hill 13, Taylor 0, Spiers6, 0, S. Henderson 17, T. Henderson 4, Price 13, Ashcraft 0, Dandridge 0, Eberle 0. Totals: 17 8-15 45. 3-point goals: S. Henderson 3.
Oakton (29-0): Cahill 0, C. Coyer 20, K. Coyer 6, Mahony 4, Cummins 0, Borojeni 4, McGartland 16, Johnson 6, Lyles 0, Stephenson 18. Totals: 26 12-14 74. 3-point goals: Stephenson 4, C. Coyer 2, Borojeni, McGartland, Mahony.
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