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Graves, Edison roll past Tuscarora, 66-52, to earn spot in Va. 5A North final Graves, Edison roll past Tuscarora, 66-52, to earn spot in Va. 5A North final
(35 minutes later)
Going up against Edison’s high-octane offense, defenders know to beware of the sweet-shooting lefty. Jada Graves, the Eagles’ leading scorer for the past four years, can score in a variety of ways, whether it’s finishing through contact at the basket or drilling her signature, high-arcing set shot from long-range. Going up against Edison’s high-octane offense, defenders know to beware of the sweet-shooting lefty. Jada Graves, the Eagles’ leading scorer for the past four years, can score in a variety of ways, whether it’s finishing through contact at the basket or drilling her signature, high-arcing set shot from long range.
Yet Graves might be most dangerous when she doesn’t have the ball.Yet Graves might be most dangerous when she doesn’t have the ball.
Tuscarora was quite aware of Graves’s affinity for disrupting passing lanes and creating takeaways, having played Edison back in December. But that knowledge didn’t do any good for the visiting Huskies, who watched Graves collect seven steals and 21 points en route to a 66-52 win in Thursday’s 5A North region semifinals.Tuscarora was quite aware of Graves’s affinity for disrupting passing lanes and creating takeaways, having played Edison back in December. But that knowledge didn’t do any good for the visiting Huskies, who watched Graves collect seven steals and 21 points en route to a 66-52 win in Thursday’s 5A North region semifinals.
Tuscarora (19-6) came into Edison’s gym looking to avenge its 74-54 loss to the Eagles in last year’s region championship, not to mention its 56-43 defeat to the three-time defending region champions earlier this season. But the Eagles (21-2) never folded, using an 11-0 run late in the first quarter and maintaining a comfortable lead throughout.Tuscarora (19-6) came into Edison’s gym looking to avenge its 74-54 loss to the Eagles in last year’s region championship, not to mention its 56-43 defeat to the three-time defending region champions earlier this season. But the Eagles (21-2) never folded, using an 11-0 run late in the first quarter and maintaining a comfortable lead throughout.
“I knew they were very hungry for this win,” Graves said. “We just needed to be more humble.”“I knew they were very hungry for this win,” Graves said. “We just needed to be more humble.”
Graves put up 30 points in that championship blowout last year, and her performance Thursday was also impressive. The senior manned the top of Edison’s lethal full-court press with aplomb, pressuring the Huskies into bad passes and converting fastbreaks on the other end. Graves put up 30 points in that championship blowout last year, and her performance Thursday was also impressive. The senior manned the top of Edison’s lethal full-court press with aplomb, pressuring the Huskies into bad passes and converting fast breaks on the other end.
“Our girls feed off our defense. It’s like our fuel,” Edison Coach Dianne Lewis said. “When we start with our press and we start to get deflections and steals, it just pumps us up and tends to make us play better and harder.”“Our girls feed off our defense. It’s like our fuel,” Edison Coach Dianne Lewis said. “When we start with our press and we start to get deflections and steals, it just pumps us up and tends to make us play better and harder.”
Edison kept Tuscarora’s offense out of sync, but the Eagles could barely contain Tuscarora guard Chloe Roach. The Huskies’ speedy playmaker finished with a game-high 28 points.Edison kept Tuscarora’s offense out of sync, but the Eagles could barely contain Tuscarora guard Chloe Roach. The Huskies’ speedy playmaker finished with a game-high 28 points.
Graves, meanwhile, had plenty of help. Freshman Carole Miller used her considerable speed to break loose in the open floor for 15 points and her prodigious length to notch three blocks, including two on three-point attempts. Sophomore guard Amaya Gray scored a season-high 12 points.Graves, meanwhile, had plenty of help. Freshman Carole Miller used her considerable speed to break loose in the open floor for 15 points and her prodigious length to notch three blocks, including two on three-point attempts. Sophomore guard Amaya Gray scored a season-high 12 points.
On Saturday the Eagles head to Potomac, where they will once again vie to defend their region title. Beyond that, Graves and company are looking to get past the state semifinal stage that has stumped them the past two years and go after the team’s first state title since 1978. On Saturday the Eagles head to Potomac, where they again will vie to defend their region title. Beyond that, Graves and company are looking to get past the state semifinal stage that has stumped them the past two years and go after the team’s first state title since 1978.
“This is my last chance to get it,” Graves said. “I’m just trying to play every game like it’s my last.”“This is my last chance to get it,” Graves said. “I’m just trying to play every game like it’s my last.”
Elsewhere, the Woodbridge girls fell to Landstown, 53-44, in the 6A South region semifinals Thursday night. The Bruins, who fell to Colonial Forge in last week’s Conference 4 final, will face Cosby in the regional consolation game Saturday afternoon. Elsewhere, the Woodbridge girls fell to Landstown, 53-44, in the 6A South region semifinals. The Vikings, who fell to Colonial Forge in last week’s Conference 4 final, will face Cosby in the regional consolation game Saturday afternoon.
William Fleming beat Loudoun Valley, 48-41, to advance to Saturday’s 4A West region final.William Fleming beat Loudoun Valley, 48-41, to advance to Saturday’s 4A West region final.
nick.eilerson@washpost.com