by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
I’m back for the start of a very long and fun weekend! Check back here for live updates from the John Marshall-William Fleming tilt.
Right now, JM trails 11-8 as WF’s Troy Daniels has come out with eight points, including two 3-pointers.
Tahir Little just buried a 3-pointer to tie the contest at 11. The Justices seem to be getting into the contest.
Marcus Johnson follows for William Fleming, but Travis McKie answers with a soft floater. 13-13, 36.6 to go in the first.
OHHHH! McKie with a sick two-hand follow jam, the JM crowd is going crazy!!! Randall Ward buries a 3-pointer at the buzzer for JM, as the Justices end on a 12-2 run. JM 18-13.
Second Quarter
*Quick note: Videos and photos will be limited since I can’t do much at the press table. I will get what I can. Thanks!
Back to the game! Maurice Johnson just pounded his second dunk of the game. JM 20-13 as WF turns it over again.
Daniels is at it again, reverse layin for two. JM lead cut to 20-15.
Uh-oh, JM’s defense causes two straight TO’s. McKie finishes one with a thunderous dunk and Ward gets an open layup from Little. WF timeout, JM 24-15 with 6:21 to go.
Stay with me, I’m going to try to get some highlights!
OK, JM leads 30-29 at halftime. WF went on a 15-5 run, paced by some hot 3-point shooting and foul shots. This is a good one.
Travis McKie leads John Marshall with 12 points, Quantae Cooley is second with six. Daniels leads WF with 15 points, including 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. JM will have to get a hold of him in the second half.
Third Quarter
Third has started, Eric Thomas‘ putback gives WF a 31-30 lead. He scores again on the glass for a 33-30 lead. But McKie is going to the line for the Justices.
First is…good. Second is…good. WF 33-32. Jamille Hagins, a 6-7 post for WF, scores inside. He’s starting to dominate the glass.
McKie with another flush on the break. JM is going to its halfcourt defense. It gives everyone problems. Watch out for a run.
Yep, here it goes. Ward for a trey. JM 37-35. 4:24 to go in the third period. McKie high tap-in off the board, 39-35, timeout Colonels with 4:04 to go in the third.
Quick note: The recession hasn’t touched William Fleming’s basketball squad. They have their last names on the back of their jerseys. NICE! Back to the action.
Hagins dunks, but McKie backs him down, does one of Hakeem Olajuwon‘s moves and scores, and one. Hagins has four fouls! McKie at the line, it’s good. JM 42-37.
Shaquan Manning dives in for two. Little backs it out for JM, Ward gets it back to Little who turns it over.
Manning drives again, same spot, same play. JM 42-41.
1:25 left, score remains. McKie picks up a loose-ball foul, his third. JM still in its halfcourt D. Daniels rattles in a 3, WF takes the lead and the ball back.
Stephon Anderson knocks in a 3, too. WF up 47-42, but fouls Little taking a 3-pointer. He hits only one of three from the line.
Thomas and the Colonels **** JM on the glass on its last possession, taking a 49-43 lead going into the final eight minutes.
Fourth Quarter
The Justices are stagnant. They need something to happen, quick. But they loose possession on a jump ball.
JM is down 55-51 with 3:18 to go.
Jamille Hagins tips in for WF for a six-point lead. JM forces it to McKie, WF steals it. Timeout WF, 2:35, leading 57-51. JM’s offense is very stagnant.
Thomas gets to the line and hits both for WF. JM misses in close twice, but Cooley finds the loose ball and finds Ward, he strokes a trey. WF 59-54, timeout JM, 1:57 to go.
Fullcourt JM pressure causes a WF turnover. Ward tries to make it two-in-a-row, but hits the front of the rim. Anderson goes to the line, double-bonus. First is good, second is true.
McKie is drawing strong double teams. He gets fouled by Thomas, his fifth foul. He had a good game on the glass with 13 points. McKie to the line…the ACC recruit hits the front end and misses the back. But JM gets the steal as McKie goes back to the line down 61-55 with 1:10 to go.
First is good. Second is nice. JM down four. The Justices almost get a 10-second call, but Little is called for a foul. A little too aggressive. Daniels is at the line, the first is well short. The second is good, WF up five, 62-57.
Ward needs to get loose for JM, or McKie from deep. McKie misses an easy layup, but WF travels. Johnson dunks in McKie’s miss, but fouls Hagins on the other end, and Hagins finishes. WF 64-59 with 30.8 to go, Hagins at the line for one: it is good.
Ward misses, WF gets on the break, McKie blocks the shot, gets it back to Ward, who nails a 3. It’s not over, JM down three, 65-62 with 12.7 to go!
McKie helps get the turnover! 4.3 seconds left! Timeout Fleming.
Tahir Little had a good look at a 3-pointer that hit the back rim as WF advances to the state Group AAA final Friday at 8:45 p.m. versus the King’s Fork, as the Eastern champion down No. 1 Petersburg.
John Marshall 18 12 13 19 – 62
William Fleming 13 16 20 16 – 65
John Marshall (26-5): Ward 19, Johnson 6, Cooley 6, Little 4, McKie 27, O’Neil 0, Brown 0, Braxton 0. Totals: 22 12-19 62. 3-point goals: Ward 5, Little.
William Fleming (25-4): Manning 6, Anderson 8, Daniels 21, Thomas 14, Hagins 14, Henderson 0, Tucker 0, Preston 0, Johnson 2, Jones 0, Brown 0. Totals: 23 13-17 65. 3-point goals: Daniels 4, Anderson 2.
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