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Boys’ basketball: Westfield, Battlefield advance to Virginia 6A North final Boys’ basketball: Westfield, Battlefield advance to Virginia 6A North final
(35 minutes later)
After Westfield’s Blake Francis barreled downcourt for a transition layup late in overtime of Friday’s Virginia 6A North region semifinal against West Springfield, Hank Johnson almost allowed himself to exhale. Almost.After Westfield’s Blake Francis barreled downcourt for a transition layup late in overtime of Friday’s Virginia 6A North region semifinal against West Springfield, Hank Johnson almost allowed himself to exhale. Almost.
Up to that point, the two teams had surrendered countless opportunities to close out the game, making for a nerve-wracking final minute for Johnson. It wasn’t until the buzzer sounded some moments later, when No. 5 Westfield escaped with a 67-61 overtime victory at Robinson High in Fairfax, that the senior could audibly breathe a sigh of relief.Up to that point, the two teams had surrendered countless opportunities to close out the game, making for a nerve-wracking final minute for Johnson. It wasn’t until the buzzer sounded some moments later, when No. 5 Westfield escaped with a 67-61 overtime victory at Robinson High in Fairfax, that the senior could audibly breathe a sigh of relief.
The Bulldogs advanced to Saturday’s region final, where they will face Battlefield, which beat West Potomac in Friday’s other semifinal.The Bulldogs advanced to Saturday’s region final, where they will face Battlefield, which beat West Potomac in Friday’s other semifinal.
“When Blake hit that layup, I thought we were good. But then we got a foul on the other end, so it was back to the same feeling,” said Johnson, who finished with 15 points. “In a game like this, you can never really be sure until the very end.”“When Blake hit that layup, I thought we were good. But then we got a foul on the other end, so it was back to the same feeling,” said Johnson, who finished with 15 points. “In a game like this, you can never really be sure until the very end.”
The limbo-like trajectory ultimately played in Westfield’s favor. At the outset, however, the Spartans (23-5) quickly grabbed control by working the ball inside to Lewis Djonkam, who whipped passes back out to his open teammates en route to a 12-point lead.The limbo-like trajectory ultimately played in Westfield’s favor. At the outset, however, the Spartans (23-5) quickly grabbed control by working the ball inside to Lewis Djonkam, who whipped passes back out to his open teammates en route to a 12-point lead.
An offensive flurry by Johnson helped the Bulldogs close the gap to three points early in the second half. And while the shooting of Andrew Storr and Djonkam’s interior play soon shifted the momentum back to the Spartans, their 4-for-12 shooting from the free throw line in the fourth quarter once again opened the door for Westfield (23-2).An offensive flurry by Johnson helped the Bulldogs close the gap to three points early in the second half. And while the shooting of Andrew Storr and Djonkam’s interior play soon shifted the momentum back to the Spartans, their 4-for-12 shooting from the free throw line in the fourth quarter once again opened the door for Westfield (23-2).
A three-pointer and two free throws by Francis put the Bulldogs ahead by one with nine seconds left, but Spencer Askew drew a foul and knocked down one of his two shots to force overtime.A three-pointer and two free throws by Francis put the Bulldogs ahead by one with nine seconds left, but Spencer Askew drew a foul and knocked down one of his two shots to force overtime.
With Djonkam on the bench after fouling out, the Bulldogs quickly took control of the extra session. Tyler Scanlon scored inside and Nick Albert made a three-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead and on their way to a 22nd straight win.With Djonkam on the bench after fouling out, the Bulldogs quickly took control of the extra session. Tyler Scanlon scored inside and Nick Albert made a three-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead and on their way to a 22nd straight win.
“In that situation, it’s all about getting stops, making a run and knocking down open looks,” said Albert, who scored nine points off the bench. “We all had to make plays and have each other’s backs.”“In that situation, it’s all about getting stops, making a run and knocking down open looks,” said Albert, who scored nine points off the bench. “We all had to make plays and have each other’s backs.”
After ending the second quarter with a foul that allowed Battlefield’s deficit against West Potomac to grow to three, the Bobcats expected a tense locker room and a stern halftime talk. Instead, they were met with a measured sense of relief. After ending the second quarter with a foul that allowed its deficit against West Potomac to grow to three, Battlefield’s players expected a tense locker room and a stern halftime talk. Instead, they were met with a measured sense of relief.
“Coach [Randall Bills] told us that, with all that didn’t go well in that first half, we should feel pretty good to only be down three,” Bobcats sophomore Brayden Gault said.“Coach [Randall Bills] told us that, with all that didn’t go well in that first half, we should feel pretty good to only be down three,” Bobcats sophomore Brayden Gault said.
Riding a seven-game win streak, all by double-digit margins, the Bobcats weren’t accustomed to playing from behind. Riding a seven-game win streak, all by double-digit margins, Gault and Battlefield were not accustomed to playing from behind.
But the confidence drawn from that stretch translated to Friday’s second half, resulting in a steady offensive uptick and a 82-70 win against the Wolverines (18-8).But the confidence drawn from that stretch translated to Friday’s second half, resulting in a steady offensive uptick and a 82-70 win against the Wolverines (18-8).
Beginning with a Keagan McGinnis basket late in the third quarter and ending six minutes later with two of Shonari Street’s five free throws in the second half, the Bobcats (20-6) outscored West Potomac 22-4 to grab control of the game for good.Beginning with a Keagan McGinnis basket late in the third quarter and ending six minutes later with two of Shonari Street’s five free throws in the second half, the Bobcats (20-6) outscored West Potomac 22-4 to grab control of the game for good.
“We had a lot more energy in the second half, just attacking, being more aggressive and rebounding,” said Street, who had 10 points.“We had a lot more energy in the second half, just attacking, being more aggressive and rebounding,” said Street, who had 10 points.
Blake Pagon paced Battlefield with 24 points while Gault added 22.Blake Pagon paced Battlefield with 24 points while Gault added 22.