by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
John Marshall was certainly happy about its 74-68 win in the Central Region semifinals over Highland Springs.
But Quantae Cooley? Ecstatic.
“This is the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my life,” said Cooley, a Thomas Jefferson transfer who has never been to the state tournament like his fellow Justices have. Now he has the opportunity.
“I feel like no one can beat us when we play to our full potential.”
Some would say Petersburg can beat Jayem, and we’ll find out Monday night at 8 p.m. at VCU’s Siegel Center in the region final rematch that is sure to draw an overflow crowd of 7,500 like Friday’s doubleheader did.
“It’s the rematch we’ve all been waiting for,” JM star junior Travis McKie said. “It’s going to be a classic.”
It was a classic spurt by an experienced team that foiled Highland Springs’ season.
The contest was tied at 44 with 1:14 left, with both teams putting on a defensive exhibition.
The defending region champion Justices then went on a 13-0 bolt (two free throws by Quantae Cooley – game-high 23 points, 11 boards, five steals, a jumper from Randall Ward – 14 points, Ernest Brown‘s layup, an alley-oop slam from McKie – 19 points, nine boards, six blocks, and a Cooley trey ball).
It effectively ended the game, though the Springers chipped away.
“I think that we fell victim to experience,” said Highland Springs coach George Lancaster, who hinted that it may have been his last game coaching the Springers. “I think John Marshall’s experience paid off for them. They stepped up in crucial times.”
The Springers received 21 points from Jeri Mask, 17 from Xavier Parham, another 14 from Natwan Young and 12 from Sage Reed.
All are Springer seniors that led Highland Springs to its seventh straight final four appearance.
It was only Jayem’s second straight, but they made it count.
“Within the last three or four games, our [defense] has been coming back,” Jayem coach Frank Threatts said. “We can see the difference because we shut down a good club. And Highland Springs is a good club.
“We’re going to show up [Monday].”
Highland Springs 17 12 15 24 – 68
John Marshall 20 14 12 28 – 74
Highland Springs (25-3): Parham 17, Young 14, Mask 21, Williams 2, Reed 12, Lewis 0, Hodnett 0, Judon 2, Hopkins 0. Totals: 22 20-26 68. 3-point goals: Parham 2, Mask 2.
John Marshall (25-3): Ward 14, Johnson 10, Cooley 23, Little 6, McKie 19, O’Neil 0, Brown 2, Braxton 0. Totals: 29 13-18 74. 3-point goals: Ward 2, McKie.
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