jeffpatterson
03-13-2008, 10:38 PM
http://www.dailypress.com/media/alternatethumbnails/storylink/2008-03/36735319-13194146.JPG
Bruton’s Jen Falin looks for room to pass around Waynesboro’s Devon Brown during their state semifinal in Richmond on Thursday. Photos by Rob Ostermaier/Daily Press
No rally this time for Bruton
By MARTY O’BRIEN | mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963
RICHMOND — Bruton High star Jen Falin long has dreamed about playing in the state semifinals at a big college basketball venue. So, when Falin stepped onto the court at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center on Thursday for the Group AA semifinals, she had to catch her breath.
Unfortunately for Falin and the Panthers, they ran into a player with the talent to star in big-time collegiate gymnasiums for years to come. Devon Brown displayed her gifts in a 31-point, 16-rebound performance that lifted Waynesboro to a 63-53 win over Bruton and into the state title game.
The Little Giants (26-3) play Hidden Valley (25-4) at 7 p.m. on Saturday for the championship. The Panthers (22-7) headed back to York County after advancing farther into the tournament than anyone figured they would four months ago.
“At the beginning of the season, we were picked to finish third in the (Bay Rivers) district,” Bruton coach Wayne Burnette said. “We made it to the final four. How can I complain about that?
“I’m really proud of our team and the effort they gave this season. They never gave up, even down the stretch in a game like this when some kids would’ve dropped their heads.”
Brown, a 5-foot-11 senior bound for Liberty University on a basketball scholarship, tested the Panthers’ resilience like no player they’ve faced this season. But it wasn’t so much her numbers that made things difficult for the Panthers — she entered averaging 31.6 points, 18.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists — so much as her versatility.
“She does so many things and plays all over the floor,” Burnette said. “Normally, when you’re dealing with a kid her size, you pretty much can figure out where she’s going to be on the floor.
“You can’t do that with her. She’ll shoot the perimeter shot, she’ll bring the ball down the floor, she’ll get inside and post up, and she hits the boards and rebounds.”
Brown’s only 3-pointer gave the Giants an 8-6 lead with 2 minutes, 38 seconds to play in the first quarter. They never trailed again.
Her best moments came after consecutive rebounds in the midst of a 15-point run the Giants used to stretch their lead to 24-8. Following the first carom, she passed long to Shawnte Woodson for a breakaway layup.
Upon grabbing the Panthers’ next miss, she dribbled the length of the court, hesitated and then made a smooth move to her left before banking the ball in for a basket. Later in the second quarter, she dribbled through the Bruton trap and down the lane for a basket.
She scored 18 points before halftime, and the Giants led 35-22 at intermission. Woodson complemented her nicely, from the perimeter or on the break, scoring 11 of her 16 points in the first two quarters.
But such double-digit deficits rarely have fazed the Panthers, who rallied from 13 or more points behind to win three postseason games. Full-court trapping pressure ignited those comebacks, and the Panthers had some success against Waynesboro by forcing 19 turnovers.
Bruton battled back to within 47-38 early in the fourth quarter. Falin led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Freshman center Sharmaine Baker led the effort inside with 10 points (on 5-for-7 shooting) and seven rebounds.
But both girls sat for stretches because of foul trouble, as did defensive ace Shariece Samuel. Falin and Samuel eventually fouled out. Burnette said the foul trouble and poor shooting (34.9 percent) kept the Panthers from making it all the way back.
But the end was no shame. Both Falin and Samuel acknowledged as much while fighting their tears.
“We built from so little to a lot,” Samuel said.
“We came together as a team and as sisters.”
Falin added, “We tried, even though a lot of people thought we didn’t have a lot to work with. This doesn’t happen to a lot of people, but it happened to us and we’ll remember it forever.”
WAYNESBORO 63, BRUTON 53
WAYNESBORO (26-3): Woodson 16, Berry 9, Diggs 5, Brown 31, Dudley 2. Totals 20 19-31 63.
BRUTON (22-7): Legaspi 2, Rolley 8, Samuel 5, Falin 16, Baker 10, Fowler 4, Ellis 8. Totals 22 7-18 53.
Waynesboro 16 19 12 16— 63
Bruton 6 14 14 17— 53
3-point goals — Waynesboro 4 (Berry 2, Woodson, D. Brown), Bruton 2 (Rolley, Samuel). Total fouls — Waynesboro 12, Bruton 25. Fouled out — Samuel, Falin.
Bruton’s Jen Falin looks for room to pass around Waynesboro’s Devon Brown during their state semifinal in Richmond on Thursday. Photos by Rob Ostermaier/Daily Press
No rally this time for Bruton
By MARTY O’BRIEN | mobrien@dailypress.com | 247-4963
RICHMOND — Bruton High star Jen Falin long has dreamed about playing in the state semifinals at a big college basketball venue. So, when Falin stepped onto the court at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center on Thursday for the Group AA semifinals, she had to catch her breath.
Unfortunately for Falin and the Panthers, they ran into a player with the talent to star in big-time collegiate gymnasiums for years to come. Devon Brown displayed her gifts in a 31-point, 16-rebound performance that lifted Waynesboro to a 63-53 win over Bruton and into the state title game.
The Little Giants (26-3) play Hidden Valley (25-4) at 7 p.m. on Saturday for the championship. The Panthers (22-7) headed back to York County after advancing farther into the tournament than anyone figured they would four months ago.
“At the beginning of the season, we were picked to finish third in the (Bay Rivers) district,” Bruton coach Wayne Burnette said. “We made it to the final four. How can I complain about that?
“I’m really proud of our team and the effort they gave this season. They never gave up, even down the stretch in a game like this when some kids would’ve dropped their heads.”
Brown, a 5-foot-11 senior bound for Liberty University on a basketball scholarship, tested the Panthers’ resilience like no player they’ve faced this season. But it wasn’t so much her numbers that made things difficult for the Panthers — she entered averaging 31.6 points, 18.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists — so much as her versatility.
“She does so many things and plays all over the floor,” Burnette said. “Normally, when you’re dealing with a kid her size, you pretty much can figure out where she’s going to be on the floor.
“You can’t do that with her. She’ll shoot the perimeter shot, she’ll bring the ball down the floor, she’ll get inside and post up, and she hits the boards and rebounds.”
Brown’s only 3-pointer gave the Giants an 8-6 lead with 2 minutes, 38 seconds to play in the first quarter. They never trailed again.
Her best moments came after consecutive rebounds in the midst of a 15-point run the Giants used to stretch their lead to 24-8. Following the first carom, she passed long to Shawnte Woodson for a breakaway layup.
Upon grabbing the Panthers’ next miss, she dribbled the length of the court, hesitated and then made a smooth move to her left before banking the ball in for a basket. Later in the second quarter, she dribbled through the Bruton trap and down the lane for a basket.
She scored 18 points before halftime, and the Giants led 35-22 at intermission. Woodson complemented her nicely, from the perimeter or on the break, scoring 11 of her 16 points in the first two quarters.
But such double-digit deficits rarely have fazed the Panthers, who rallied from 13 or more points behind to win three postseason games. Full-court trapping pressure ignited those comebacks, and the Panthers had some success against Waynesboro by forcing 19 turnovers.
Bruton battled back to within 47-38 early in the fourth quarter. Falin led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Freshman center Sharmaine Baker led the effort inside with 10 points (on 5-for-7 shooting) and seven rebounds.
But both girls sat for stretches because of foul trouble, as did defensive ace Shariece Samuel. Falin and Samuel eventually fouled out. Burnette said the foul trouble and poor shooting (34.9 percent) kept the Panthers from making it all the way back.
But the end was no shame. Both Falin and Samuel acknowledged as much while fighting their tears.
“We built from so little to a lot,” Samuel said.
“We came together as a team and as sisters.”
Falin added, “We tried, even though a lot of people thought we didn’t have a lot to work with. This doesn’t happen to a lot of people, but it happened to us and we’ll remember it forever.”
WAYNESBORO 63, BRUTON 53
WAYNESBORO (26-3): Woodson 16, Berry 9, Diggs 5, Brown 31, Dudley 2. Totals 20 19-31 63.
BRUTON (22-7): Legaspi 2, Rolley 8, Samuel 5, Falin 16, Baker 10, Fowler 4, Ellis 8. Totals 22 7-18 53.
Waynesboro 16 19 12 16— 63
Bruton 6 14 14 17— 53
3-point goals — Waynesboro 4 (Berry 2, Woodson, D. Brown), Bruton 2 (Rolley, Samuel). Total fouls — Waynesboro 12, Bruton 25. Fouled out — Samuel, Falin.