We’re here at the Herndon Holiday Hoops for the fifth place game between Yorktown and Gar-Field. At the half the Patriots lead, 32-20. They haven’t had a full squad so far this week due to illness, but look to be at full strength for this one.
Next we’ll get Annandale and Edison for third place, and then St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes will take on the host team for the championship around eight. We’ll be here, as long as the Hornets open up the snack bar as promised around dinner time!
Now, to get things started, a picture of an angelic baby, the coaching offspring of Yorktown coach Joe Reed and Episcopal girls coach Katrina Reed. If you don’t think this kid (Anna Lisa) is ridiculously adorable, I feel sorry for you.
Yorktown holds to a 51-44 lead, four minutes left….Patriots’ 2-3 zone has been pretty effective so far.
–Yorktown senior Nate Kaniut with two free throws, 53-46 Patriots, three minutes left.
–Reverse lay-up by Gar-Field’s Jarred Porter, they’re down five, two and a half minutes left. Gar-Field with the ball after a turnover.
–Jumper by Gar-Field’s Kamden Stubblefield, but Yorktown answers with the three. 56-50, 1:39 left, Patriots with the ball.
Now 58-50 Yorktown with 1:31 left after a couple of free throws. Patriots in the double bonus, unlikely Gar-Field can mount the comeback unless Yorktown really goes cold from the line.
Final here, Yorktown 64-50. Annandale and Edison next.
“The difference between this year and last year was I think we lost ten games by three games or less. Up 14 today, Gar-Field got it to within five…this game today we would have lost last year. Today we managed to pull ahead, make some free throws and big baskets.” –Yorktown coach Joe Reed
Annandale and Edison is underway. This…is going to be really high scoring. Annandale’s Dontae Johnson attacking the rim like a pro, already twelve points total between the teams a minute and a half in.
Annandale 39-27 at the half. Not as high-scoring as we thought, but you wouldn’t notice a shot-clock, either.
Dontae Johnson leading the way for the Atoms with 11 and Jordan Adams with eight. Marquis Washington is pacing the Eagles with 13 points.
Edison got it to within five behind 15 points in the third quarter from senior guard Trey Green, but now 63-54 Annandale to enter the fourth. Back to the high-scoring game we anticipated.
70-64 Annandale with 6:03 left. Gonna be a lot of free throw shooting down the stretch–both teams in the double bonus.
So much scoring. So little defense. 82-73 Annandale, 2:41 left.
Almost done here, Annandale up 89-77 with 1:03 left.
Final here, Annandale 91-79. Johnson finishes with 32 points.
“What hurt us was the first quarter when Marquis picked up two fouls, and I had to sit him. I thought that was the difference in the game. We made runs and cut it to four and six points late, but we were always playing catch-up. It was a lot to overcome.” –Edison coach Terry Henderson
Now, Hornets/Saints.
–Herndon looking good early, up 14-12 late in the first. Saints with a size advantage down low, Denmark Slay and the other St. Stephen’s guards looking to exploit that early, with mixed results. Herndon offense looking good, as it has for the last two weeks, especially.
–Saints lead 17-16 after one quarter. This is a strong team from Alexandria–extremely athletic and with good size. Herndon is playing well, but not sure they’ll be able to go four quarters with this team.
–Of course…if Michael Griffin keeps getting open looks…Herndon led 32-25 at the half thanks mostly in part to Griffin’s 18 points. Kid has legitimate range well past the arc.
–Now Slay much more aggressive for the Saints. After a fast break game now tied at 35 with 4:40 left in the third.
–Dom Bailey 15, Slay 10 for the Saints, who now lead 51-48 early in the fourth. Done a much better job on Griffin this half. (2 points)
–56-48 Saints, 4:47 left.
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes takes the Herndon title with the 69-52 victory. Saints did a much better job defensively in the second half and four Saints we believe finished in double figures. Definitely got more physical in the second half, and Herndon couldn’t keep up the pace.
“We made some halftime adjustments, to find the shooters early and block them out. We went to a 2-2-1 press which really was effective. We’re starting to come together as a team and our leaders are really starting to step up. We want to try and define ourselves on the defensive end and let the offense take care of itself.”
—Saints assistant coach Mike Jones
