Coming back 4 more
CLASS AA STATE PLAYOFFS: Model girls 62, Bryan County 45
Victaria Saxton’s big night sparks Model’s girls as they advance to the Final Four.
Saxton’s big night sparks Model’s girls as they advance to the Final Four.
Despite a humid gym, hard fouls on both ends of the court and a region champion on the other side, the Model Lady Blue Devils stood tall.
And after exits in the quarterfinals the last two seasons, nothing was stopping them from reaching the Final Four this time.
Backed by a powerful performance from junior center Victaria Saxton, Model broke away in the second half for a 6245 win against Bryan County in the GHSA Class AA quarterfinals Tuesday in Shannon.
The Lady Devils (25-5) finished the game on a 22-11 run to make their first Final Four in eight years. They will play Laney in the semifinals Saturday at 2 p.m. at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.
“I think the girls just showed their heart tonight, from the inside out,” Model coach Sally Echols said. “I think toughness and grit is what the playoffs are made of, and that’s what our team showed tonight.”
Saxton finished her night with 29 points, 25 rebounds and 14 blocks, an astronomical triple-double that displayed her power on each end of the court. Senior guard Bailey Upton finished with 14 points, including 10 in the second half.
Bryan County’s defense was physical with Saxton early in the game, but she began to get her looks in the second half and scored 17 in the final two quarters. Saxton played nearly the entire game, only taking a break with one minute left and victory in hand.
Bryan County senior Julianne Brown finished with 20 points, with Olanna Rawls recording nine points. But in a boisterous opposing gym against a team that takes pride in its defense, the Lady Redskins tied their second-lowest point total of the season.
Many of Bryan County’s shots ended in the swatting hands of Saxton, who would then turn the block into points on the other end. She welcomed Bryan County’s brute style and actually scored more in the paint as the game went along.
“It honestly felt like a lot of the games I’ve had this season, with the pushing and that,” Saxton said. “That just makes me play harder. It just makes me turn my intensity up.”
Most of the game was a series of steals, deflections and hardearned fouls as neither team could break loose in the first half. Model led 25-24 at the break, with most of its offense coming in transition.
The Lady Redskins (24-4) often countered with Brown, who was able to find open spots despite Model’s swarming guards. Bryan County coach Mario Mincey said he’s come to expect the drive in Brown throughout her four-year career.
Brown scored seven points in the final quarter, but Saxton and Model continued to roll offensively to halt a comeback. Brown was one of four Lady Redskins playing the last game of their career.
“Brown has been playing with me for four years. She is always going to fight no matter what,” Mincey said. “This senior group, I’ve loved the year I had with them. I really appreciate it.”
As the fouls started to mount, Model senior leaders like Upton and AnnaGrace Turrentine ran into foul trouble. That left Saxton on the floor all first half, helping her team trade blows with the Lady Redskins.
Despite showing some weariness, Saxton did not lack any hustle on the court. She was often leading the team on fast breaks after getting a rebound, looking for quick and easy offense from whoever could produce it.
“You always get one hundred percent from her,” Echols said of Saxton. “And when you have a playoff game on the line, there’s no fatigue in mind. You just have to play every possession, and that’s literally what she did.”
But Saxton was not the only Lady Devil going for every loose ball, with Upton, Kyla Reynolds and Turrentine all making plays in the third quarter. Model was able to lead by double digits for the first time during the period, and finished the quarter on a 7-0 run to go up 47-34.
The lead only expanded in the fourth quarter, with Model’s crowd getting louder after every steal or basket. Saxton made a basket while getting fouled to put her team up 59-43 with three minutes left, putting a cap to the team’s performance.
“The atmosphere just makes the game different,” Saxton said. “The intensity can be felt not only by the fans but on the court too.”