An important game that was scheduled to take place a week ago finally tipped off yesterday afternoon as the Langley Saxons hosted the Yorktown Patriots for first place in the Liberty District.
After being held without a field goal in the first quarter, the Yorktown Patriots rallied behind 24 points from senior forward Ana Bournigal to take the dub and control of the Liberty, 45-34.
The Saxons had the momentum in the opening quarter, especially when senior point guard AB Holsinger got a steal and layup on the opening possession. As both teams got settled in their halfcourt offense, the game slowed down and the first ended with a low score of Langley ahead 6-2. But the Patriots did not panic on the second end of a rare back-to-back.
“Our game plan was to try to ride the waves early on. We played our fourth game this week, we had a bruiser game the previous night against McLean, so ultimately we tried to just get our legs under us early on. I told them not to be too nervous if shots don’t fall early,” said Yorktown Head Coach DeVaughn Drayton.
His squad began to find its rhythm in the second quarter, first beyond the arc. Bournigal hit a three-pointer to open the quarter, and then Patriots sophomore point guard Asha Goodwin (eight points) and Helene Lydon joined in on the fun with one of their own each. They outscored Langley in the quarter 13-3 to take a 15-9 lead at the half.
As Langley continued to struggle to score in halfcourt sets, Bournigal began to go to work in the post. Langley threw many different defensive looks at her, but the Patriot guards made the reads to get her the ball inside, where she had her way. Bournigal registered 17 of her 24 points in the second half, and always had an answer for when the Saxons would threaten to rally.
“The game of basketball has changed in that there’s not too many true post players still around, so Ana is a throwback. She’s a dominant post player, but her ability to step out and stretch the floor is an asset for us,” said Drayton about his star post.
Langley got as close as six in the fourth quarter, but costly turnovers and missed shots kept the Saxons at arm’s reach down the stretch for the Patriots to close it out comfortably. Holsinger led her team once again with 13 points, and freshman Anya Rahman impressed with seven points and nine rebounds, displaying the ability to be in the right place at the right time for several of the Saxons’ buckets.
Langley guard Caitlyn Shumadine went down with an arm injury late in the game, but should be back in about two weeks. The Saxons (8-1, 14-2) will have to fare without their sharpshooter for the remainder of the regular season and possibly into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Yorktown (9-0, 16-3) gains control of the Liberty, but will see Langley again next week for a rematch that will be just as important as postseason play inches closer.
“The Liberty is bruising,” said Drayton. “Every night you have a ballgame. So even with this win, we’ll appreciate it but look to continue to move forward, because we know everybody is good in the Liberty. Well-coached, kids play hard, and it’s just fun.”
–Max Nagle
@MaxWritesHoops