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Rossview handles Wilson Central, advances to region semifinal




Rossview's Ever Walker (3) drives past Wilson Central's Jakoria Woods (25).ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s Ever Walker (3) drives past Wilson Central’s Jakoria Woods (25).ROBERT SMITH

After winning their second consecutive District 10-AAA title on Monday night, the D10 No. 1 seed Rossview Lady Hawks knew they had a taller task ahead of them. They’ve been to the Region 5 quarterfinal in each of the past eight seasons but have not gotten out of the round since 2017.

On the other end were the D9 No. 4 Wilson Central Lady Wildcats, a program that was well on their way to rebuilding to their former glory before losing their star point guard, Sydnee Richetto, toward the end of the season.

Combine the two, and the Lady Hawks are headed to their first region semifinal in three years with a 57-39 victory on Friday.

“I thought (we) executed the game plan very well,” said Rossview coach Justin Woods. “We talked about controlling the tempo, I definitely thought we did that. Defensively we pressed the ball all night (and) scored a lot of transition buckets.”

The Lady Wildcats made things tough, though. They had trouble scoring in the half-court without their primary ball handler, but were able to get a few transition buckets and keep the Lady Hawks’ offense in check.

As things ramped up, Wilson Central began to dominate the offensive glass with their distinct size advantage, drawing fouls and getting extra possessions to keep the game close.

Forward Campbell Strange was a primary beneficiary of the whistles, going 6-for-8 from the line before the fourth quarter. She finished co-leading the team with Nicole Brill with 12 points.

“We were out of position in the press getting back,” Woods said. “We let them throw it over our head a couple times so we’re chasing the play, and they’d be able to get a layup or miss or whatever and we’d be late to the play and we would foul. We wanted the tempo high so we were talking about how fouling them slows the game down and it’s counterproductive to what we’re trying to do.”

Through three quarters, 13 of the Lady Wildcats’ 29 points came from the charity stripe, making only eight field goals.

They went into the fourth trailing by just eight points, but Rossview erupted for 20 points in the final eight minutes compared to WCHS’ 10.

“We talked about defense and rebounding was going to be key and at the end of the day, we got them in foul trouble, we did everything we wanted to do, but they closed it,” said Wilson Central coach Erica Wilson. “They made a lot of shots.”

The Lady Hawks will head to Springfield High School on Monday to face the D9 No. 2 Beech Lady Bucs with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Beech is one of only three teams to have beaten Rossview this season, having handed them a 41-31 loss on Nov. 29.

“We played them on Friday, we hadn’t practiced since Tuesday coming off a holiday where we were eating good,” Woods said. “We went over there and laid an egg basically. They had something to do with it, they’re a good team, but I’ll be anxious to see how we fare with them. I know the girls will be ready.”

BOX SCORE

Rossview (57): Ever Walker 17, Courteney Daniels 13, Emani Collier 11, Kayla Gilmore 5, Chelsea Williams 3, Sarah Beth Johnson 3, Emma Monson 2, Rayanna Grant 2, Kristin Edwards 1. 

Wilson Central (39): Campbell Strange 12, Nicole Brill 12, Jakoria Woods 9, Jasmin Angel 4, Sydney Dalton 2, Cloe Smith 1.

Rossview's Kristen Edwards (2) and Wilson Central's Sydney Dalton (24) fight for a loose ball.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s Kristen Edwards (2) and Wilson Central’s Sydney Dalton (24) fight for a loose ball.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview's Emma Monson (0) and Wilson Central's Cloe Smith (1) fight for a loose ball.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s Emma Monson (0) and Wilson Central’s Cloe Smith (1) fight for a loose ball.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview's head coach Justin Woods shouts instructions to his team.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s head coach Justin Woods shouts instructions to his team.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview's Courtney Daniels (33) shoots during the Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s Courtney Daniels (33) shoots during the Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game.ROBERT SMITH

Wilson Central's Jakoria Woods (25) shoots against Rossview's Kayla Gilmore (44) and Maggie Croom (20).ROBERT SMITH

Wilson Central’s Jakoria Woods (25) shoots against Rossview’s Kayla Gilmore (44) and Maggie Croom (20).ROBERT SMITH

Rossview's Ever Walker (3) shoots against Wilson Central's Jakoria Woods (25).ROBERT SMITH

Rossview’s Ever Walker (3) shoots against Wilson Central’s Jakoria Woods (25).ROBERT SMITH

Rossview students cheer during the Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game against Wilson Central.ROBERT SMITH

Rossview students cheer during the Region 5-AAA quarterfinal game against Wilson Central.ROBERT SMITH

 

 

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