At this point you can’t blame Charlottesville and Western Albemarle for being sick of facing each other. In fact, at this point, CHS coach James Daly is looking forward to facing any non-Jefferson District foe.
“This is like the second time in three years that we’ve played (Western) four times in a year,” Daly said with a laugh. “They do a good job and they’re able to throw you off your game. I would love to see someone different, absolutely.”
Monday night in the Warriors and Black Knights’ fourth meeting of the season, the Black Knights again held off the Warriors for their third victory over Western. Charlottesville snagged a 42-36 victory in the Jefferson District semifinal, making enough plays and free throws down the stretch to hold off the Warriors.
“They make plays, they clearly are a team that gets the job down the stretch in games,” said Western coach Kris Wright. “That’s why they won the regular season, that’s why they’re playing for the tournament title and it could be why they make a run in the conference tournament too.”
The Black Knights were in danger several times of allowing Western to even the game, but with just over two minutes to play, things appeared particularly dire, with Western on a breakaway with a numbers advantage. The Warriors attempted a pass on the fastbreak, looking to lift it over the head of a streaking Alajiah Ragland who was sprinting down the court in between the two Western players. Ragland somehow hit the brakes, leapt up and intercepted the pass. She then sped down the right side of the court and hit Kajesha Taylor on a short pass for an easy bucket and a 34-28 lead.
“We talked in the locker room about what a big play that was,” Daly said. “Things weren’t going her way, she wasn’t hitting shots she normally hits…she didn’t let that faze her. She could’ve easily hung her head for a second when we didn’t score. Instead she sprints back and steals what would’ve been a sure lay-up for them.”
Western, meanwhile, was trying to even the game behind Deja Newton-Grant’s strong fourth quarter play, including a coast to coast take and drive shortly after Ragland’s incredible play. Newton-Grant connected on the free throw and pulled the Warriors within three at 34-31.
“We definitely needed somebody out of those low post players in the rotation to get going and Deja did late,” said Western coach Kris Wright. “She gave us an opportunity there in the last couple of minutes.”
The Warriors couldn’t climb much closer though as Charlottesville took care of business at the free throw line, hitting 9 of 14 at the charity stripe during the fourth quarter. Destinee McDonald was particularly prolific at the line, scoring eight of her 14 points at the stripe. Alexis Henderson also hit a couple of big free throws in the final frame as did Daeja Wade.
Taylor finished with 11 points on the night, handling things nicely in the post for the Black Knights as she continues her emergence as another threat in the Charlottesville offense.
“She’s come a long way, she went from being the ninth or tenth player on last year’s team and now she’s starting every game and that hasn’t been a big deal,” Daly said. “That hasn’t fazed her, she’s been pretty unflappable. She’s been really strong with the ball.”
Western freshman Elizabeth Coffman finished with 10 points for the Warriors while Newton-Grant notched nine points.
The Black Knights advance to the Jefferson District final where they’ll face Fluvanna County. The Warriors move on to the Conference 29 tournament next week where they’ll likely also face Fluvanna County, that bracket is still to be determined.
