LIGHTRIDGE 51, FAIRFAX 21
The host Lightning took control after a Fairfax run late first quarter to take the victory in the nightcap. Lightridge (6-1) used an aggressive trapping defense to speed up the Lions and force turnovers, holding Fairfax to three second quarter points.
Junior Molly Bollhorst got hot for Lightridge in that second quarter, scoring eight of her game-high 16 points. Bollhorst hit four three-pointers on the evening. Most everyone scored for Ed Knox’s team, which advances to face Battlefield in Saturday’s late game.
Fairfax (3-3) was led by senior Anna Mawloud, who scored 15 of her team’s 21 points.
Like this Lightridge ball movement…high post, short corner, etc. resulting in the layup from Sophie Samson. Lightning lead Fairfax at half, 26-13. Molly Bollhorst got hot in the second quarter, scoring eight points for Lightridge. pic.twitter.com/eimj2qJtza
— Novahoops.com (@novahoopsCom) December 27, 2024
BATTLEFIELD 39, SOUTH LAKES 35
Battlefield held South Lakes to just one first half field goal en route to a 19-6 halftime lead, and led 33-22 halfway through the fourth quarter, but had to hold on for dear life to defeat the Seahawks. South Lakes cut the Bobcats’ lead to 38-35 on a Ruby Karandikar three-pointer and had the ball with 9.1 seconds left, but were stymied by the tough Battlefield defense.
Battlefield (5-3) was led on offense by sophomore guard Madison Huynh, who scored 23 points, Huynh was red-hot in the second half, scoring 14 points.
South Lakes (2-6) will take on Fairfax in the consolation bracket on Saturday.
WASHINGTON-LIBERTY 62, CLARKE COUNTY 42
The hot-shooting Generals buried 11 three-pointers to roll over the Eagles in the day’s second game. Every W-L starter provided at least one made shot from beyond the arc. Senior Julia Kelly had six three-pointers, en route to a game-high 20 points.
Washington-Liberty (5-4) rolled to a lead early, but Clarke County (5-2) closed to within 22-20 in the second quarter. However, the Generals went on a quick 7-0 run to answer, and extended their lead to 16 after three quarters.
Senior Frances Shapiro and freshman Anna Jungman added 12 apiece for the Generals, while junior Alainah McKavish led the way for Clarke with 17 points.
BRIAR WOODS 38, THOMAS JEFFERSON 37
Briar Woods led Thomas Jefferson 31-22 after three quarters, but had to hold off a furious TJ fourth quarter rally to earn the victory.
The Falcons (5-4) fouled TJ’s Josie Clayton late on a three-pointer and the senior calmly drilled three free throws to tie the game at 37. However, TJ then fouled Briar Woods’ Rishithasree Poshala, who made one of her two free throws. The Briar Woods defense then prevented the Colonials from getting another look at the basket.
Briar Woods sophomore guard-forward Sadie Auch led the way for the Falcons with 13 points and eight rebounds–all of her boards coming in the second half. Tanvi Kancharla and fellow junior Poshula added seven points apiece. Briar Woods advances to play Washington-Liberty, while TJ (3-3), which got 10 points from Clayton off the bench, will battle Clarke County in the consolation bracket.
–Chris Jollay