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Deng Nhial, Wakefield return to region final with win over Potomac Falls Deng Nhial, Wakefield return to region final with win over Potomac Falls
(35 minutes later)
Deng Nhial held the ball and watched the clock as the final few seconds of the Virginia 5A North region semifinals ticked away, but the Wakefield senior couldn’t wait. For two years, he’d been thinking about this moment and before it officially arrived, he threw the ball in the air, using the right wrist that kept him sidelined for the region title run in 2014. Deng Nhial held the ball and watched the clock as the final few seconds of the Virginia 5A North region semifinals ticked away, but the Wakefield senior couldn’t wait. For two years, he had been thinking about this moment and before it officially arrived, he threw the ball in the air, using the right wrist that kept him sidelined for the region title run in 2014.
“So much emotion was pouring down,” Nhial said after the Warriors’ 76-67 victory over Potomac Falls. “That right there, all that emotion, knowing that I’m gonna be there and actually gonna play in that game, it was amazing.” “So much emotion was pouring down,” Nhial said after the Warriors’ 76-67 victory over Potomac Falls. “That right there, all that emotion, knowing that I’m going to be there and actually gonna play in that game, it was amazing.”
Nhial broke his wrist on a routine fall just a few games before the 2014 playoffs, and last year Wakefield was upset in the quarterfinals. But the 6-foot-4 senior forward did his part in helping the No. 11 Warriors (24-1) advance Thursday night in Arlington and set up a finals matchup with Potomac. Nhial broke his wrist on a routine fall just a few games before the 2014 playoffs, and last year Wakefield was upset in the quarterfinals. But the 6-foot-4 senior forward did his part in helping the No. 11 Warriors (24-1) advance Thursday night in Arlington and set up a final matchup with Potomac.
Nhial scored 15 points and sparked a defense that had its hands full against Dondrea Tillman and sharpshooter Brian Sweeney. While Wakefield held the lead for most of the game, Potomac Falls stayed within reach.Nhial scored 15 points and sparked a defense that had its hands full against Dondrea Tillman and sharpshooter Brian Sweeney. While Wakefield held the lead for most of the game, Potomac Falls stayed within reach.
Tillman, a 6-4 forward, capped a 10-point first quarter with a mid-range jumper and then capped off a 13-2 run in the second quarter to put the Panthers ahead 28-26. Tillman, a 6-4 forward, capped a 10-point first quarter with a midrange jumper and then capped off a 13-2 run in the second quarter to put the Panthers ahead 28-26.
But that was the last time that Wakefield trailed. The Warriors regained the lead on a three-point play from Jonathan Adams — which drew a second foul from Tillman — and went ahead 36-30 going into halftime. But that was the last time Wakefield trailed. The Warriors regained the lead on a three-point play from Jonathan Adams — which drew a second foul from Tillman — and went ahead 36-30 going into halftime.
Tillman scored 21 points and pounded away at the Wakefield defense while Sweeney paced the Panthers (17-9) with 21 points and five three-pointers. But each time Potomac Falls chipped away at the lead, the Warriors had an answer. Tillman scored 21 points and pounded away at the Wakefield defense, while Sweeney paced the Panthers (17-9) with 21 points and five three-pointers. But each time Potomac Falls chipped away at the lead, the Warriors had an answer.
Adams had 18 points, but it was his passing that created separation in the second half. After a three-point play from Tillman cut the deficit to 63-60, Adams found Amari Cooper for a bucket to extend the lead.Adams had 18 points, but it was his passing that created separation in the second half. After a three-point play from Tillman cut the deficit to 63-60, Adams found Amari Cooper for a bucket to extend the lead.
Moments later that duo connected again — Cooper to Adams — and then again in the final minute Adams passed to the sophomore who ended the fast break with a one-handed slam. Moments later that duo connected again — Cooper to Adams — and then again in the final minute Adams passed to the sophomore, who ended the fast break with a one-handed slam.
“We just know each other, that’s all it takes,” Adams said. “It was just a nail in the coffin. It’s excitement everywhere. Everybody’s just happy. To go out like that it’s beautiful.” “We just know each other. That’s all it takes,” Adams said. “It was just a nail in the coffin. It’s excitement everywhere. Everybody’s just happy. To go out like that it’s beautiful.”
Wakefield regained possession in the closing moments and Nhial tossed the ball in the air, clanking it off the ceiling, causing a stoppage of play with a fraction of a second remaining before time expired. Wakefield regained possession in the closing moments, and Nhial tossed the ball in the air, clanking it off the ceiling, causing a stoppage of play with a fraction of a second remaining before time expired.
“It’s a good feeling now that we’re back where we were two years ago,” Nhial said.“It’s a good feeling now that we’re back where we were two years ago,” Nhial said.
Wakefield is scheduled to play Potomac 7 p.m. Saturday in Dumfries in a rematch of the 2014 final. Jamal Washington had 16 points and seven boards to lead Potomac to a 62-52 win over Albemarle in the other semifinal matchup. Wakefield is scheduled to play Potomac at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Dumfries in a rematch of the 2014 final. Jamal Washington had 16 points and seven boards to lead Potomac to a 62-52 win over Albemarle in the other semifinal matchup.
“At the end of the day this is the playoffs,” Potomac Coach Coach Keith Honore said. “It’s not going to get easier. As a matter of fact it’s going to get tougher and tougher.” “At the end of the day this is the playoffs,” Potomac Coach Coach Keith Honore said. “It’s not going to get easier. As a matter of fact, it’s going to get tougher and tougher.”
Hylton fell to Woodside, 54-41, in the 6A South semifinals.Hylton fell to Woodside, 54-41, in the 6A South semifinals.
In the 4A West region, Loudoun Valley defeated George Washington, 80-59, and Champe defeated William Byrd, 69-66. The Vikings and Knights will meet Saturday at Loudoun Valley.In the 4A West region, Loudoun Valley defeated George Washington, 80-59, and Champe defeated William Byrd, 69-66. The Vikings and Knights will meet Saturday at Loudoun Valley.