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Oakton survives scare, Fairfax rolls to set up Virginia 6A North region final matchup Oakton survives scare, Fairfax rolls to set up Virginia 6A North region final matchup
(35 minutes later)
Before senior Alex Marquis sank the free throws that clinched No. 3 Oakton’s 44-41 win over No. 14 Langley in Friday night’s Virginia 6A North girls’ basketball semifinals, it occurred to her just how rare these sorts of moments had become this season.Before senior Alex Marquis sank the free throws that clinched No. 3 Oakton’s 44-41 win over No. 14 Langley in Friday night’s Virginia 6A North girls’ basketball semifinals, it occurred to her just how rare these sorts of moments had become this season.
In compiling an undefeated record to this point, Oakton (27-0) had won all but one of its games by double digits. But here the Cougars were, at Lake Braddock, facing a rival using the same physical formula Oakton has mastered to go toe-to-toe with them.In compiling an undefeated record to this point, Oakton (27-0) had won all but one of its games by double digits. But here the Cougars were, at Lake Braddock, facing a rival using the same physical formula Oakton has mastered to go toe-to-toe with them.
“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Marquis said. “We don’t have to do that a lot.”“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Marquis said. “We don’t have to do that a lot.”
Oakton had to show off its resolve to advance to Saturday’s 6A North region final at Robinson, where a showdown with No. 7 Fairfax awaits. First, though, the Cougars got a scare from Langley (23-5).Oakton had to show off its resolve to advance to Saturday’s 6A North region final at Robinson, where a showdown with No. 7 Fairfax awaits. First, though, the Cougars got a scare from Langley (23-5).
Playing deliberately, and with poise — “A lot like us,” Oakton Coach Fred Priester pointed out after the game — the Saxons closed their deficit to within one basket on at least 10 occasions in the second half. A three-point play by junior Ariana Aulisi (12 points) with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter cut the Cougars’ lead to 42-41. Playing deliberately, and with poise — “A lot like us,” Oakton Coach Fred Priester pointed out after the game — the Saxons closed their deficit to one basket on at least 10 occasions in the second half. A three-point play by junior Ariana Aulisi (12 points) with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter cut the Cougars’ lead to 42-41.
But Oakton milked the clock and Marquis proved clutch at the free throw line, hitting four foul shots in the final 18 seconds. Langley’s potential game-tying three-pointer as the buzzer sounded fell just short, leaving Oakton free to exhale after “our toughest game yet,” Marquis said. But Oakton milked the clock and Marquis proved clutch at the free throw line, hitting four foul shots in the final 18 seconds. Langley’s potential game-tying three-pointer as the buzzer sounded fell just short, leaving Oakton free to exhale after what Marquis called “our toughest game yet.”
The Cougars had their stifling defense to thank, as they limited Langley star Paige Galiani to just one field goal. Junior Maddie Royle (10 points) set the tone early, blocking a shot off the opening tip and altering many of Langley’s forays into the lane. She then steadied Oakton late with a couple baskets in the post right as the Saxons seemed primed to pull off an upset.The Cougars had their stifling defense to thank, as they limited Langley star Paige Galiani to just one field goal. Junior Maddie Royle (10 points) set the tone early, blocking a shot off the opening tip and altering many of Langley’s forays into the lane. She then steadied Oakton late with a couple baskets in the post right as the Saxons seemed primed to pull off an upset.
“Just kind of camp out in the middle and wait to block someone,” Royle said of her defensive role. “It gets me excited.”“Just kind of camp out in the middle and wait to block someone,” Royle said of her defensive role. “It gets me excited.”
Fairfax senior Jalita Montgomery hesitated for only a second, but it nonetheless became the highlight of the Rebels’ 62-47 win over Herndon in Friday night’s opening semifinal matchup at Lake Braddock.Fairfax senior Jalita Montgomery hesitated for only a second, but it nonetheless became the highlight of the Rebels’ 62-47 win over Herndon in Friday night’s opening semifinal matchup at Lake Braddock.
Montgomery came out blazing, hitting two three-pointers in a row to spark No. 7 Fairfax (27-1) early, but she paused upon catching the ball with just a few seconds remaining in the first quarter. Teammate Alex Wendling yelled and pointed toward the clock, jolting Montgomery into action. Two dribbles later, she let loose a three-quarter court heave that sailed through the net. Montgomery came out blazing, hitting two three-pointers in a row to spark No. 7 Fairfax (27-1) early, but she paused upon catching the ball with just a few seconds remaining in the first quarter. Teammate Alex Wendling yelled and pointed toward the clock, jolting Montgomery into action. Two dribbles later, she let loose a three-quarter-court heave that sailed through the net.
The buzzer-beater jump-started a 15-2 run that lasted most of the second quarter and gave the Rebels all the cushion they would need to advance to the 6A North championship. The buzzer-beater jump-started a 15-2 run that lasted most of the second quarter and gave the Rebels all the cushion they needed to advance to the 6A North championship.
Montgomery had 16 of her 17 points before halftime when leading scorer Noe’ll Taylor (12 points) was stuck on the bench in foul trouble.Montgomery had 16 of her 17 points before halftime when leading scorer Noe’ll Taylor (12 points) was stuck on the bench in foul trouble.
“I hit the first three and after that I just felt like I was on fire,” Montgomery said. “We had to step our game up while she wasn’t on the court.”“I hit the first three and after that I just felt like I was on fire,” Montgomery said. “We had to step our game up while she wasn’t on the court.”
Fairfax used its speed and full-court pressure to overwhelm Herndon (20-7) as all five starters finished in double figures. The Hornets cut their deficit to single digits early in the fourth quarter behind senior Shawnice Gresham (17 points), but Taylor found her groove down the stretch and the Rebels were never challenged again.Fairfax used its speed and full-court pressure to overwhelm Herndon (20-7) as all five starters finished in double figures. The Hornets cut their deficit to single digits early in the fourth quarter behind senior Shawnice Gresham (17 points), but Taylor found her groove down the stretch and the Rebels were never challenged again.