Hampton, Jamestown win, secure state bids
Hampton will return to the Class 4 girls basketball state tournament to defend the title it won a year ago. Jamestown will play in a state tournament for the first time since 2006, the year it brought home the only girls hoops state championship by a Bay Rivers District school.
The Crabbers of the Peninsula District made it back to the state tournament with a 54-48 win over Eastern District co-champion Manor in the first Region A semifinal Tuesday at Jamestown. The host Eagles broke their 18-year state tourney drought with a 79-37 win over Bay Rivers and James City County rival Warhill.
Before moving on to state play, the Crabbers (20-3) and Eagles (22-0) will play for the region title. That game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday in Hampton’s gym because the Crabbers’ boys serve as host for both finals.
No. 2 Hampton 54, No. 3 Manor 48: The Crabbers seized control by jumping out to a 13-3 lead to start the game. Manor (19-4) scored first to take a 2-0 lead via the fast break Crabbers coach Shanda Bailey insisted her team had to slow to win.
They slowed it thereafter and were dominant in their half-court defense for the next three quarters, taking numerous charges, tallying 14 steals and dominating the boards. Offensively, the Crabbers spread the wealth throughout.
Kaliya Perry’s 10-foot jumper gave the Crabbers a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish, and she also scored during the early run on one of many offensive rebounds her team had. Point guard Dreyanna Foster (seven assists) capped the run by stealing an inbound pass and driving the length of the court for a layup.
The Crabbers continued to build on the run in the next three quarters with Perry (19 points) leading the way offensively, while four others contributed at least six points. Their lead peaked at 48-26 with a five-point run to end the third quarter.
Manor did not fold. Led by Jada Clark (15 points), Kobbie Haggins (12) and Lauren Williams (8), they pressed defensively and started to make baskets. Clark’s putback cut the deficit to 52-48 with 1:15 to play.
Dajanelle Linton-Robinson’s basket and strong defensive play in the final minute clinched the victory, and state tournament berth, for the Crabbers. No. 1 Jamestown 79, No.
4 Warhill 37: Maddie Leach scored a career-high 37 points to lead the Eagles to their 22nd consecutive victory. Her two free throws gave the Eagles a 6-4 lead, and they led the rest of the way.
Leach, a sophomore, scored 12 points in the first quarter, after which the Eagles led 16-7. She added seven more in the second quarter, while teammate Raini Mayo (13 points) scored eight as the margin increased to 15 points by intermission.
Leach added 18 more points in the second half as the Eagles continued to pull away. In addition to Mayo, she got offensive support from Phoenix Williams (10 points) and Jordan Moore (8).
The Eagles’ zone defense kept the Lions (17-4) in check on the perimeter from start to finish, but Mary Drakes (16 points) was often effective in the paint for Warhill.