James Wood Girls Avenge Loss To Handley

Posted: February 6, 2016
By JOSH DORSEY
Special to The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — By both coaches’ admissions intensity was the deciding factor between Handley and James Wood on Friday night.

After the first quarter, the Colonels had a surplus.

James Wood outscored Handley 41-17 over the final three periods to net a 56-37 romp. The triumph avenged a 72-41 loss against the Judges earlier in the season.

“They had 20 points in the first quarter and we held them to 17 in the next three quarters,” said James Wood coach Krista Crites. “So defensively we did exactly what we wanted to do. Offensively we were patient and got the shots that we wanted to get.”

The big difference from the first game was the defensive effort the Colonels had against Jay Cain. The Judges’ senior had 38 in the first meeting, but was held to seven points on Friday.

“Jay Cain is a phenomenal player and the first game she came out and just scored 38 points on us,” Crites said. “... Our intensity on defense was much better once the first quarter was over. I can pretty much tell when I look at them when they are ready to go and I could tell. ... You could tell on the bus ride here that it was going to be a completely different ball game tonight.”

Handley did get off to a hot start, with Angelica Robinson scoring 13 points as the Judges led 20-15 after one quarter.

The Colonels opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run and held the Judges to a dismal four second quarter points to take a 26-24 halftime lead.

The Colonels began to bury Handley with a 10-2 run after the break. They would go on to outscore Handley 23-8 to take a commanding 49-32 edge into the final quarter.

“We were stronger than last time and more confident,” said Colonels senior Grace Greene, who scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. “We went in knowing that we could do this and that we are a good team. We have the players and we just had to go out and do what we knew we could do. It just feels really good.”

Fellow senior Keiana Brooks led the Colonels with 18 points, but also dished out nine assists and frustrated Handley with seven steals.

Robinson was the lone Judge in double figures with 23 points.

“You don’t stop key players, you contain them,” Crites said of Robinson. “I felt we did a nice job of containing her tonight. We don’t have the height to stop that but I do feel that we did a nice job containing her and keeping the ball out of her hands.”

Robinson was frustrated by the outcome.

“Our lack of intensity and playing together was totally different than last game against them,” Robinson said. “Last game, we were all hyped and excited for each other. We picked each other up when something happened. Tonight it was like everyone was playing for themselves. People had other things going on in their mind and it affected our play.”

Handley coach Randi Jones agreed with her senior captain.

“Intensity and lack of effort was the difference,” said Handley coach Randi Jones. “We did not show up. I remember last game Crites said her team didn’t show up. Well, this time we did not show up.

“This is something that they need to remember. This is the breaking point.

“... They need to remember that we are a better team than the way that we played. We should be playing better and be mentally tougher at this point of the season. Credit James Wood, they played hard and forgot about the last game and played with confidence. We just came out on our heels.”

The two teams will get to break the tie as they are slated to meet again on Feb. 13 in the opening round of the Conference 21A Tournament.

“This is definitely a big confidence builder since we lost three big games in a row,” Brooks said of Friday’s win. “This is definitely helping with our momentum and it’s good confidence for us playing them next week because we know we can do it.”

“Next week, I anticipate a battle,” Jones said. “I anticipate a closer game than the two games we’ve had.”

James Wood will have a final tune up game Monday at Skyline while Handley will host Sherando on Monday.

“Our mindset is to come back hungry and ready to play,” Robinson said.