Andi
02-16-2008, 11:19 PM
Bruton drops pooped Poquoson
By George Watson/Correspondent
JAMES CITY — According to Bruton’s Jen Falin, it was the first time she has seen coach Wayne Burnett break a smile during a game.
What brought that little grin to the Burnett’s face was Jenny Rolley’s successful heave from midcourt just before the halftime buzzer sounded in Saturday’s 41-26 Bay Rivers District playoff victory over Poquoson at Warhill High School.
That basket boosted Bruton’s lead to 14 points (27-13) and seemingly broke the spirit of the fatigued Islanders, playing their third game in three days.
"That was totally unexpected," said Rolley of her only basket of the game and Bruton’s lone 3-pointer. "It really got everyone hyped. The crowd noise was great. You could tell their (Poquoson’s) spirits dropped."
The victory earns the Panthers (17-4), who tied Poquoson (17-6) and Lafayette for the district championship, the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout next week’s tournament. On Tuesday night, Bruton will host Grafton, Tabb will be at No. 2 Poquoson, York visits No. 3 Lafayette and Southampton is at No 4 Smithfield.
Both Bruton and Poquoson have earned first-round home games in the Region I tournament the following week. Lafayette also advances to the regionals unless someone other than the top three seeds wins the district tournament.
Bruton wasted no time jumping on the Islanders, spurting to a quick 7-0 lead. Falin, who topped the Panthers with 18 points, managed to penetrate Poquoson’s 1-3-1 zone for six straight points.
The Panthers built their halftime margin by shooting 50 percent (11-of-22) in the first half, while the Islanders could manage just 22 percent (5-of-23).
"We did a good job of being patient on offense and putting pressure on them by attacking the basket," Burnett said.
Bruton’s margin ballooned to 18 (31-13) by the end of the third quarter. The Islanders did not score, missing all seven of their shots, as they couldn’t penetrate nor shoot over the hosts’ 1-2-2 zone.
But Poquoson made a charge at the outset of the final period. Sparked by a pair of 3-pointers by Kelly Halverson (she had five for 15 points) and one by Page Turner, Poquoson made an 11-2 run to slice the margin to seven (33-26) with 4:58 left. That would be as close as the Islanders got. The Islanders missed their final nine shots while Falin scored her team’s last eight points.
"I think we just wore down," Poquoson coach Jeff Gross said. "Playing three nights in a row is tough. We were just tired and Bruton played very well."
"Jen (Falin) did a super job tonight," Burnett said. "She showed a lot of leadership on the floor. She said she wanted to take charge at the end and she did."
Burnett also praised the play of Rebecca Ellis and freshman Sharmaine Baker who, along with Falin, helped the Panthers, who have won five straight games, control the boards.
"We have been able to rotate them (Ellis and Baker) in and out and they are both showing signs of stepping up," Burnett said. "We will need their size in the regionals.
"We had some injury problems earlier but we have been back to full strength for four or five games now. I think we are back in rhythm now."
BRUTON 41, POQUOSON 26
POQUOSON (17-6): Halverson 15, Turner 5, Brown 2, Wilson 2, Brogden 2. Totals 10 0-2 26.
BRUTON (17-4): Falin 18, Legaspi 2, Rolley 3, Fowler 7, Ellis 7, Baker 2, Koliopolous 2. Totals 15 10-16 41.
Poquoson
8- - 5- 0- 13 — 26
Bruton
14- 13- 4- 10 — 41
3-point goals — Poquoson 6 (Halverson 5, Turner), Bruton 1 (Rolley). Total fouls — Poquoson 13, Bruton 3.
By George Watson/Correspondent
JAMES CITY — According to Bruton’s Jen Falin, it was the first time she has seen coach Wayne Burnett break a smile during a game.
What brought that little grin to the Burnett’s face was Jenny Rolley’s successful heave from midcourt just before the halftime buzzer sounded in Saturday’s 41-26 Bay Rivers District playoff victory over Poquoson at Warhill High School.
That basket boosted Bruton’s lead to 14 points (27-13) and seemingly broke the spirit of the fatigued Islanders, playing their third game in three days.
"That was totally unexpected," said Rolley of her only basket of the game and Bruton’s lone 3-pointer. "It really got everyone hyped. The crowd noise was great. You could tell their (Poquoson’s) spirits dropped."
The victory earns the Panthers (17-4), who tied Poquoson (17-6) and Lafayette for the district championship, the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout next week’s tournament. On Tuesday night, Bruton will host Grafton, Tabb will be at No. 2 Poquoson, York visits No. 3 Lafayette and Southampton is at No 4 Smithfield.
Both Bruton and Poquoson have earned first-round home games in the Region I tournament the following week. Lafayette also advances to the regionals unless someone other than the top three seeds wins the district tournament.
Bruton wasted no time jumping on the Islanders, spurting to a quick 7-0 lead. Falin, who topped the Panthers with 18 points, managed to penetrate Poquoson’s 1-3-1 zone for six straight points.
The Panthers built their halftime margin by shooting 50 percent (11-of-22) in the first half, while the Islanders could manage just 22 percent (5-of-23).
"We did a good job of being patient on offense and putting pressure on them by attacking the basket," Burnett said.
Bruton’s margin ballooned to 18 (31-13) by the end of the third quarter. The Islanders did not score, missing all seven of their shots, as they couldn’t penetrate nor shoot over the hosts’ 1-2-2 zone.
But Poquoson made a charge at the outset of the final period. Sparked by a pair of 3-pointers by Kelly Halverson (she had five for 15 points) and one by Page Turner, Poquoson made an 11-2 run to slice the margin to seven (33-26) with 4:58 left. That would be as close as the Islanders got. The Islanders missed their final nine shots while Falin scored her team’s last eight points.
"I think we just wore down," Poquoson coach Jeff Gross said. "Playing three nights in a row is tough. We were just tired and Bruton played very well."
"Jen (Falin) did a super job tonight," Burnett said. "She showed a lot of leadership on the floor. She said she wanted to take charge at the end and she did."
Burnett also praised the play of Rebecca Ellis and freshman Sharmaine Baker who, along with Falin, helped the Panthers, who have won five straight games, control the boards.
"We have been able to rotate them (Ellis and Baker) in and out and they are both showing signs of stepping up," Burnett said. "We will need their size in the regionals.
"We had some injury problems earlier but we have been back to full strength for four or five games now. I think we are back in rhythm now."
BRUTON 41, POQUOSON 26
POQUOSON (17-6): Halverson 15, Turner 5, Brown 2, Wilson 2, Brogden 2. Totals 10 0-2 26.
BRUTON (17-4): Falin 18, Legaspi 2, Rolley 3, Fowler 7, Ellis 7, Baker 2, Koliopolous 2. Totals 15 10-16 41.
Poquoson
8- - 5- 0- 13 — 26
Bruton
14- 13- 4- 10 — 41
3-point goals — Poquoson 6 (Halverson 5, Turner), Bruton 1 (Rolley). Total fouls — Poquoson 13, Bruton 3.