Appalchia 49, J.J.Kelly 41
VHSL Girls Group A Basketball State Championship, 12/02/00 1:00 pm
The Appalachia Bulldogs led from the start to finish to secure the Virginia Group A Girls Basketball State Championship 49-41 over close rival J.J.Kelly High School.
Superstar C/F Roshana Jackson led a balanced attack with 15 pts, 9 boards, 6 blocks and 3 steals. Erica Varner (13 pts) and Leah Leedy (12 pts) took the pressure off their forward by coming up with big play after big play for the Appalachia Buldogs.
Both teams dug in defensively as you would expect in a championship game. The effort showed as Appalachia forced 34 J.J.Kelly turnovers. J.J.Kelly forced 31 Bulldog miscues.
In the end, Appalachia showed tenacity as they drained 8 of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the championship.
Don't look for too much to change next year. Appalachia graduates just 1 senior from this championship team and will once again be led by superstar Roshana Jackson (pictured right).
Game Stats for Individual Athletes: Appalachia High School
J.J.Kelly High School
Appalchia 60, West Point 50
VHSL Girls Group A Semi-Final, 12/01/00 2:00 pm
The Appalachia Bulldogs (25-6) reached the Virginia High School League Class A Final this afternoon with a 60-50 win over the Pointers of West Point High School (21-6). Stand out Roshana Jackson, a 6 ft forward, lived up to her superstar billing with a dominating 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 steals performance for the Lady Bulldogs.
Both teams went to their strong inside games in the first half as Appalachia built a 24-17 halftime lead.
West Point rallied in the third quarter behind the 1-2 punch of forwards Laurie Pennington (23 pts, 9 rebounds) and Lindsey Brizendine (11 pts, 7 rebounds) to close the quarter trailing by only 3 at 37-34.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged to Jackson. Everytime it looked as though West Point had gained momentum, Jackson would either grab a rebound or jump a passing lane and go coast to coast for a score.
Appalachia gaurd Erica Varner went 9-for-12 from the free throw line to add 12 points for the Bulldogs, and forward Amanda Turner added 10. West Point shot 37 percent for the game, while Appalachia shot 50 percent.
"Roshana just played a great game for us" said Bulldog Coach Patton Jervis, "but we've come to expect that from her." Appalachia hopes Roshana has one more great performance ... the State Championship final, December 2nd.
J.J.Kelly 73, Prince Edward 49
VHSL Girls Group A Semi-Final, 12/01/00 3:30 pm
In the second semi-final game of the VHSL Girls Basketball State Championship, J.J.Kelly High School (27-2) proved once again that a great team performance will always triumph over a great individual performance. With 3 players in double figures, J.J.Kelly, led by LaShay Colliers' 20 points and 6 assists, dominated a gritty Prince Edward team 73-49.
Both teams executed well in the first half as the Prince Edward Eagles (24-4) closed the half trailing by only 5, 31-26, thanks in large part to a stunning performance from C/F Jennifer Jackson. Jackson, who is bound for East Carolina, scored 26 points and pulled down a game high 12 boards to go along with her 5 blocked shots. But her heroics just weren't enough.
With Collier getting help from Sara Helton (18 points) and Rachel Yates (16 points), the J.J.Kelly Indians slowly but steadily pulled away for the easy win. J.J.Kelly forced the Eagles into 36 turnovers and outrebounded Prince Edward 44-37.
Prince Edward, the defending Group A Champion, ends their season at 24-4. J.J.Kelly moves on to meet Appalachia High School in the State Championship match, Saturday 1:00pm. Team work, once again, will be needed to overcome Appalachia and their superstar Roshana Jackson.
