Hampton 50, Oakton 43 (OT)

Toya Johnson scored 6 straight points at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. Celanese Bozeman knocked down a huge 2 with :58 left in OT lifting Hampton to the 50-43 win over Oakton and the VHSL AAA Girls Title.

The first half was a battle back and forth. Oakton took the early lead 12-8 after the first quarter. The Cougars led behind the strength of 5 first quarter points for Amaka Agugua and 3 assists for Megan Scott. Hampton battled back in the second using a 7-0 run to take a 18-16 lead into the break. Shavon Earp led the Crabber attack with 8 points including 2 from downtown. Hampton scored 12 of their 18 first half points on 3 pointers.

Oakton took back the lead in third quarter using a balanced attack in which 4 different players scored. The Cougars won the quarter 10-4 and took a 26-22 lead into the fourth quarter.

Oakton still led 28-24 with 7 minutes left on the clock. Shavon Earp (21 points) knocked down a 3 and then hit two free throws in the next minute giving Hampton a 29-28 lead with 6 minutes left. Oakton responded with an 8 -1 run of their own. The biggest three came on this three by Megan Scott. The spurt gave Oakton a 36-30 lead with just 3 mintues on the clock. Oakton missed the front end of a one and one an opportunity to cut into the lead. Toya Johnson's jumper cut the lead back to 4 with 2 and a half to play. On the next trip Amaka Agugua found a streaking Kat Fill who finished with a lay-up pushing the Cougar lead back to 6. With 1:40 on the clock Shavon Earp knocked down another big three putting the Crabbers down 3. The Cougars missed the front end of another one and one giving Hampton the ball back. With a minute left Johnson drove down the lane and hit a short jumper cutting the Cougar lead to 1 at 38-37. Hampton fouled Oakton on the inbounds play and the Cougar foul shooting troubles reared their ugly head again as they missed the front end of a third one and one. Johnson drove the lane and hit nearly an identical shot to the one she just hit. This one however gave Hampton their first lead of the second half at 39-38 with just 32 seconds on the clock. Oakton point guard Kat Fill pushed the ball down floor and found Megan Scott who dropped a HUGE three from the left wing giving the Cougars the lead back at 41-39 with just 17 ticks remaining. Johnson was fouled on the inbounds pass and calmly knocked down 2 free throws knotting the game at 41 with 15 seconds left. The Cougars attempt to get the ball down low resulted in a turnover with 8 seconds left. Hampton's Johnson got a good look at a three as the buzzer sounded but it fell short sending the game into overtime.

Hampton controlled the tip and burned the clock until the 2:30 mark. The Crabbers turned the ball over on an errant pass. Oakton worked it for a good shot and forced a foul with 1:42 on the clock. Oakton missed both free throws leaving the score tied at 41. The Crabbers Celanese Bozeman got this open look from 3 with just :58 seconds left and hit NOTHING BUT THE BOTTOM OF THE NET, giving Hampton the three point lead. The Cougars got fouled and went to the line with 43 seconds left with a chance to cut into the lead but once again came up empty on both attempts. Hampton's Shavon Earp was fouled with 40 ticks left and sank both free throws giving Hampton a 5 point lead. Jennifer Plymouth stepped in the passing lane and picked this pass off taking it the distance for a lay-up with 31 seconds left icing the victory and sending the Crabber faithful into hysteria. The Crabbers finished off the 50-43 win and celebrated their AAA State Championship. Earp led the scoring with 21 points including 4 three-pointers. Johnson also came up big with 18 clutch points. The Cougars played a great game and were lead by Amaka Agugua (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Megan Scott (12 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists).

Video Highlights:

Hampton's Toya Johnson
Hampton's Celanese Bozeman
Hampton's Toya Johnson
Hampton's Jennifer Plymouth
Oakton's Megan Scott
Oakton's Amaka Agugua
Oakton's Katherine Fill
Oakton's Amaka Agugua
Oakton's Megan Scott
Oakton's Melynda Gant
Oakton's Katie Fisher