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[Sonny Dearth]

Canes strike first
By Jason Jordan

HAMPTON — Heritage High point guard Evany Dickerson had plenty of motivating factors headed into Tuesday’s game at Hampton. The Hurricanes hadn’t beaten the Crabbers in seven years. ... Hampton is ranked No. 4 in the country by Student Sports. ... The Crabbers are the defending Peninsula District and Group AAA state champs.

But the one thought that Dickerson zeroed in on was the last time she played at Hampton — a 15-point loss on Feb. 2, 2007.

In that game, Bonae Holston and Sonia Johnson accounted for 38 of the Canes’ 39 points.

Dickerson added the extra point.

"All I was thinking was, ‘Nah, I can’t do that again,’ " Dickerson said.

She didn’t.

In the Canes’ 52-47 win over the Crabbers, Dickerson scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

It was one of the most anticipated girls basketball games in Peninsula history, a contest between teams that expect to go well beyond the regular season. At least several, and probably more, of Tuesday’s participants are headed to Division I college teams.

Holston and Johnson combined for 21 points and 16 rebounds. Hampton was led by Tiffany Davis and Alyssa Bennett, who scored 17 points apiece.

"I had to be a big key tonight," Dickerson said. "After I got into the lane on the first play of the game, I knew that I could get in there when I wanted to. I read the prediction in the newspaper about Hampton winning, and that got me going. It feels great to get that monkey off of my back."

Heritage coach Michael Gardner added: "That’s playoff Evany from last year. As she goes, we go."

Dickerson got going early.

Her penetration into the lane created opportune shots for Holston, who poured in seven first-quarter points to give the Canes a 13-8 lead.

After the lead swelled to 18-8 late in the second quarter, Debbie Smith drained back-to-back 3-pointers to cut into the lead, 22-18, with just 11 seconds left in the first half.

But Johnson’s buzzer-beating shot gave Heritage a 24-18 lead at halftime.

Gardner said, "In the pregame meal, I was looking for that little scattered look about playing them, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. They were relaxed and they were ready to play. We expected to win this game, so we weren’t surprised at all that we came out the way we did."

Heritage led by as many as 17 points midway through the third quarter, but then Hampton made its run.

First, the Crabbers went to work on the offensive glass, drawing fouls on putbacks and cutting the lead to 44-34 without the clock moving. Davis came up with back-to-back steals and scored four points to chip the lead to 48-45 with 3:03 left.

Then Joycelyn Davis came up with another steal and dished to Bennett for a layup to come to within 48-47 with 2:51 left.

The Crabbers had plenty of opportunities to take the lead in the final minute, but couldn’t convert. Heritage went 4-of-6 from the free-throw line to seal the win.

"We knew the run was coming because they’re a good team," Gardner said. "We weathered the storm."

Hampton coach David Six was disappointed with the loss, but added that it takes the pressure off of Hampton to be perfect.

"Now we can just get back to being an ordinary team that’s playing basketball," Six said. "I was ready to go today, I don’t think my team was, but we’ll be ready to go next we play them. But give Heritage all of the credit. They were the better team tonight. They had our number tonight."

Gardner admitted that finally beating Hampton felt good, but said the Canes are far from content with a win over their district rivals.

"It’s nice to get that win behind us," Gardner said. "But we’re moving on from here. We’re not finished and Hampton’s not finished. We’re gonna see them again."

The two teams meet again on Feb. 1 at Heritage.

HERITAGE 52, HAMPTON 47

HERITAGE (5-0, 5-0): Johnson 9, Holston 12, Dickerson 15, Thorpe 9, McKeithan 1, Lee 6. Totals 18 16-29 52.

HAMPTON (4-1, 4-1): Bennett 17, T. Davis 17, Smith 11, Sears 2. 16 13-21 47.

Heritage 13- 11- 18- 10 — 52

Hampton 8- 10- 11- 18 — 47

3-point goals – Hampton 2 (Smith 2). Total fouls – Heritage 14, Hampton 24.

[GLYMONT]

Originally Posted by Sonny Dearth

Canes strike first

HERITAGE JOLTS HAMPTON, THE NATION’S NO. 4 GIRLS TEAM

Evany Dickerson helps the Hurricanes knock off the Crabbers for the first time in seven years. They’ll meet again.

By Jason Jordan

jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648

HAMPTON — Heritage High point guard Evany Dickerson had plenty of motivating factors headed into Tuesday’s game at Hampton. The Hurricanes hadn’t beaten the Crabbers in seven years. ... Hampton is ranked No. 4 in the country by Student Sports. ... The Crabbers are the defending Peninsula District and Group AAA state champs.

But the one thought that Dickerson zeroed in on was the last time she played at Hampton — a 15-point loss on Feb. 2, 2007.


In that game, Bonae Holston and Sonia Johnson accounted for 38 of the Canes’ 39 points.

Dickerson added the extra point.

"All I was thinking was, ‘Nah, I can’t do that again,’ " Dickerson said.

She didn’t.

In the Canes’ 52-47 win over the Crabbers, Dickerson scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

It was one of the most anticipated girls basketball games in Peninsula history, a contest between teams that expect to go well beyond the regular season. At least several, and probably more, of Tuesday’s participants are headed to Division I college teams.

Holston and Johnson combined for 21 points and 16 rebounds. Hampton was led by Tiffany Davis and Alyssa Bennett, who scored 17 points apiece.

"I had to be a big key tonight," Dickerson said. "After I got into the lane on the first play of the game, I knew that I could get in there when I wanted to. I read the prediction in the newspaper about Hampton winning, and that got me going. It feels great to get that monkey off of my back."

Heritage coach Michael Gardner added: "That’s playoff Evany from last year. As she goes, we go."

Dickerson got going early.

Her penetration into the lane created opportune shots for Holston, who poured in seven first-quarter points to give the Canes a 13-8 lead.

After the lead swelled to 18-8 late in the second quarter, Debbie Smith drained back-to-back 3-pointers to cut into the lead, 22-18, with just 11 seconds left in the first half.

But Johnson’s buzzer-beating shot gave Heritage a 24-18 lead at halftime.

Gardner said, "In the pregame meal, I was looking for that little scattered look about playing them, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. They were relaxed and they were ready to play. We expected to win this game, so we weren’t surprised at all that we came out the way we did."

Heritage led by as many as 17 points midway through the third quarter, but then Hampton made its run.

First, the Crabbers went to work on the offensive glass, drawing fouls on putbacks and cutting the lead to 44-34 without the clock moving. Davis came up with back-to-back steals and scored four points to chip the lead to 48-45 with 3:03 left.

Then Joycelyn Davis came up with another steal and dished to Bennett for a layup to come to within 48-47 with 2:51 left.

The Crabbers had plenty of opportunities to take the lead in the final minute, but couldn’t convert. Heritage went 4-of-6 from the free-throw line to seal the win.

"We knew the run was coming because they’re a good team," Gardner said. "We weathered the storm."

Hampton coach David Six was disappointed with the loss, but added that it takes the pressure off of Hampton to be perfect.

"Now we can just get back to being an ordinary team that’s playing basketball," Six said. "I was ready to go today, I don’t think my team was, but we’ll be ready to go next we play them. But give Heritage all of the credit. They were the better team tonight. They had our number tonight."

Gardner admitted that finally beating Hampton felt good, but said the Canes are far from content with a win over their district rivals.

"It’s nice to get that win behind us," Gardner said. "But we’re moving on from here. We’re not finished and Hampton’s not finished. We’re gonna see them again."

The two teams meet again on Feb. 1 at Heritage.

HERITAGE 52, HAMPTON 47

HERITAGE (5-0, 5-0): Johnson 9, Holston 12, Dickerson 15, Thorpe 9, McKeithan 1, Lee 6. Totals 18 16-29 52.

HAMPTON (4-1, 4-1): Bennett 17, T. Davis 17, Smith 11, Sears 2. 16 13-21 47.

Heritage 13- 11- 18- 10 — 52

Hampton 8- 10- 11- 18 — 47

3-point goals – Hampton 2 (Smith 2). Total fouls – Heritage 14, Hampton 24.

One close game and now this loss, I see the Crabbers taking a big dive in the national standings.........maybe out.

[GLYMONT]

TITLE SHOULD READ Heritage 52, Hampton 47...........

[swampcane]

Good work lady canes. This season has had a great start but there is still lots of work left to do.

[RSpen]

Originally Posted by GLYMONT

One close game and now this loss, I see the Crabbers taking a big dive in the national standings.........maybe out.

Shouldn't have been No. 4 in the first place, that ranking was given off of last seasons performance, that is what's wrong with these mythical rankings in the first place, how can you possibly tell who are the best teams in the country, you can only assume and you know what that means. This weeks rankings you'll probably see Heritage jump into the National spotlight, you might as well put Woodside in as well, they played Both Hampton & Heritage toe to toe could have gone either way......

[Phoebus_Dynasty]

Originally Posted by RSpen

Shouldn't have been No. 4 in the first place, that ranking was given off of last seasons performance, that is what's wrong with these mythical rankings in the first place, how can you possibly tell who are the best teams in the country, you can only assume and you know what that means. This weeks rankings you'll probably see Heritage jump into the National spotlight, you might as well put Woodside in as well, they played Both Hampton & Heritage toe to toe could have gone either way......

Hampton deserved the ranking they returned their whole team basically plus the usual transfers. They are the most consistent team in this area in my opinion because they are always a contender. They are highly favored to win the state title this year and again next year, but that doesn't mean anything because you know over here on Ireland St we were picked to easily win the next two football state chips but we ran into a little problem.

[GLYMONT]

Originally Posted by RSpen

Shouldn't have been No. 4 in the first place, that ranking was given off of last seasons performance, that is what's wrong with these mythical rankings in the first place, how can you possibly tell who are the best teams in the country, you can only assume and you know what that means. This weeks rankings you'll probably see Heritage jump into the National spotlight, you might as well put Woodside in as well, they played Both Hampton & Heritage toe to toe could have gone either way......

The Crabbers have a very good basketball team. Rankings mean nothing, but if they did, Hampton shouldn't be ranked as high as #4 regardless of what they did last year.