by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
It has been 11 years since John Marshall boys basketball has tasted this kind of success.
They’ve gone from power to average and back to power. From coaching legend and back.
It all equals a date in the Central Region final as the Justices defeated L.C. Bird 77-69 Saturday night at VCU’s Siegel Center. The Justices will face Petersburg Monday at 8 p.m. at the Siegel Center for the region crown.
The Crimson Wave knocked off state and DigitalSports No. 1 Highland Springs 65-55 in the nightcap.
“It feels good right now,” said John Marshall coach Frank Threatts, the aforementioned legend. “It’ll feel even better later.”
John Marshall came out on the Siegel Center hardwood like it was their second home instead of a first-time destination, registering a 14-0 run after Bird had jumped out by four early.
Maurice Johnson had eight in the run and guarded Skyhawks star guard Rico Ferguson the entire game.
The tallest defender Ferguson has seen this season, he had some trouble early until he knocked in a 3-pointer to bring Bird within nine at the end of the quarter, 20-11.
“I know Rico from playing AAU,” said Johnson, who poured in 22 points, 12 in the first half. “I know how he plays so I could stop him from driving.”
Bird found its offense in the second quarter, but the Justices didn’t lose theirs as the Skyhawks shaved one point from their deficit going into the half down 34-26.
But the third quarter was all Bird early as the Skyhawks flew to a 13-5 run to tie the ballgame at 39. Scott Palimore put in nine of his 17 points in the bulge.
After a JM timeout, the Justices ran out to a 12-3 run to end the period.
Randall Ward (14 points) had five in the run, including a ridiculously deep 3-pointer in front of his own bench to end the quarter.
“A run always happens in spurts and you know they’re going to come back at you,” said Bird coach Chuck Tester as Dominion District player of the year Travis Keels nursed an ankle injury from the quarterfinals. “[Johnson guarding Ferguson] didn’t hurt as much as Travis not being at full speed.”
JM carried that momentum into the fourth quarter with both teams scored at will as 53 points were scored in the period, 13 by JM star sophomore Travis McKie. He had a game-high of 24 points.
“They’re a good team,” Tester said. “They’ve got a lot of weapons. I know the kids are down now, but they’ll realize what they’ve done and what kind of team they were.”
An even sadder part for the Bird community is a phenomenal career for Tester ending as he’s coached his last game.
“It’s not about me,” said Tester in his normal humble manner. “Right now, it doesn’t bother me. By the time the season starts next year I’ll feel it.”
L.C. Bird 11 15 16 27 – 69
J. Marshall 20 14 17 26 – 77
L.C. Bird (24-4): Ferguson 18, Woodley 3, Palimore 17, Jasper 6, Keels 10, Brown 2, McNair 0, Harris 2, Johnston 3, Pankey 0, Martin 2, White 0, McClary 6. Totals: 27 9-15 69. 3-point goals: Ferguson 3, Palimore 2, Johnston.
John Marshall (24-2): Farrar 2, Johnson 22, Thornton 9, McKie 24, Lee 4, Ward 14, Braxton 2, Jackson 0. Totals: 32 9-18 77. 3-point goals: Ward 2, Thonrton, McKie.
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