Council 70, Nandua 47
In the first game of the VHSL A State semi-finals last year's state runner-up Council was all over Nandua winning by the final of 70-47. After falling behind 5-2 Council went on a 17-2 run propelling them to a 19-7 lead with 2:38 left in the first. The run was led by the big man in the middle Brad Nuckles (25 points, 9 boards, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 3 steals). Nuckles scored 10 in the quarter and Council had a 21-11 lead after one.
Council kept up their great play in the second quarter outscoring Nandua 18-6 in the period. Nuckles had 19 in the first half helping Council to the 39-17 lead.
Ryan Rasnake's solid play helped the Council cause in the third quarter as they extended the lead to 25. Rasnake had 18 points, 6 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals on the day.
Unselfish play and great teamwork helped Council finish strong with an impressive 70-47 win. Council ended up with a staggering 21 assists for the game. The Cobras will advance to Saturday's championship game at 7:00 where they will face Radford.
Video Highlights:
Council's Brad Nuckles
Council's Jeremy Ratliff
Council's Brad Nuckles
Council's Ryan Rasnake
Council's Brad Nuckles
Council's Benji Jackson
Council's Brad Nuckles
Council's Ryan Rasnake
Radford 83, George Mason 63
The second semi-final started fast and furious. Both teams were intense going right at each other from the get go. After the first quarter Radford held a slim 21-20 advantage.
George Mason behind the dazzingly play of Kenny Wilson (31 points) fought back and tied the game at 35 going into half-time. Both crowds were at a fevered pitch and everyone was laying it on the line.
Radford began to take control in the second half's early stages. Shane Nichols knocked down 2 huge 3's in a 10-0 run that made the score 49-39 with 4:00 left in the third. There was no quit in Wilson and George Mason though. Wilson kept knocking down shots and Mason kept fighting. Steve Schumann rebounded a Wilson miss and layed it in as the third period buzzer rang cutting the Radford lead to 6 at 59-53.
Behind the play of freshman Terrell Dobbins and Nichols the Bobcats started the fourth quarter on an 11-0 spurt that gave them an 11 point lead at 70-53 with just 4 and a half minutes left on the clock. The spurt seemed to take the wind out of George Mason and decide the games fate. After battling for over 3 quarters the Bobcats cruised in for the 83-63 win and a berth in the State Championship Game.
Video Highlights:
Radford's Shane Nichols
Radford's Preston Simms
Radford's Terrell Dobbins
Radford's Shane Nichols
Radford's Robert Frye
Radford's Terrell Dobbins
Radford's Preston Simms
George Mason's Kenny Wilson
George Mason's Nathan Hamme
