Monday at Stafford, Colonial Forge got 29 points from sophomore Raegan Brimhall to defeat the Indians, clinching the Commonwealth District regular season title.
While Brimhall was the headliner, it took a team effort for the Eagles to avenge their only district loss and defeat Stafford in a tough, back-and-forth game. Brimhall had 15 points at halftime, but her team still trailed 30-25. Only two other Eagles had scored at that point: sophomore guard Sydni Nicholson (seven points) and junior Destiny Moore (three points).
Basically, Brimhall needed more help, and she got it in the second half.
“Everything we do is centered around each other,” said Forge Coach Marquel Jones. “We are a one voice, one village, one vision type of team…we understand that it takes a village in order to secure a tough win. Trust each other, understand that each person is going to do what they do well…I think that we are a great team when we play together.”
Colonial Forge went on a 14-2 run to open the second half with Brimhall’s teammates leading the way. Nicholson hit two threes, while starters Noni Jones and Kailyn Joseph got their first points of the game. Still, even with Forge’s offense thriving, Stafford came battling back beyond sophomore power forward Sanaa Jenkins, who finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds on the night.
Down 45-41 after three quarters, Stafford took the lead after consecutive three-pointers by sophomores McKee Wall and Carrie Burton. Brimhall knotted things up with a bucket, and then she got even more help from her teammates down the stretch.
With the game tied at 50, Forge junior guard A’nya Woods scored her first points of the game, an and-one on a feed from Nicholson. Then, she got a steal and returned the favor with a pass to Nicholson for a basket. Stafford couldn’t score down the stretch, in part because of good Eagles defense and in part because the Indians were without Jenkins, who fouled out with under three minutes left.
Forge (11-1, 15-5) also got a good performance down the stretch from sophomore forward Rachel Paulo, who grabbed three key rebounds and sank a free throw in crunch time.
“When we rely on just one person to do everything…that’s when the margins are a lot closer in games,” said Jones. “Very proud of my team and the players that came off the bench that did that I know what they are capable of doing. [Paulo] is a very good rebounder.”
While it was a disappointing loss for Stafford (10-2, 14-8), it’s hardly the end of the season for the Indians. They’ll be the #2 seed in the Commonwealth and may get another crack at Colonial Forge sooner than later. Senior Kalaia Handy had 15 points in the loss, and Burton finished with nine points on three three-pointers.
Nicholson finished with 17 points for Colonial Forge, who are regular season champions for the second season in a row despite not having any seniors in the roster.
Stafford will begin the Commonwealth Tournament on Wednesday, while Colonial Forge will receive a bye in the first round.
–Chris Jollay
Correction on name!
Not Jalani Davis…Number 23 is Sophmore Rachel Paulo!
Thanks, corrected!!!