After a week off, the Monticello girls basketball team picked up its third win of the season over cross-county rival Western Albemarle, 39-34, Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Jefferson District tournament.
The Mustangs, who have now won six our of their past seven games, face Charlottesville in Friday’s championship game. Monticello defeated the Black Knights last Tuesday on a last second 3-pointer by Bridget Holleran.
Monticello and head coach Josh McElheny got the start they wanted, leading 14-7 after the first quarter behind a strong zone defense.
“The game plan was to play a zone defense,” McElheny said. “We wanted to limit [Bridget] Shaffrey’s touches inside and we knew they were bigger than us. They made some shots early but I was going to take my chances.”
Western Albemarle responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 12-7 to trail by two heading into the locker room. The second quarter was not all good for the Warriors, however, as they lost senior and leading scorer Sydney Fewell to an apparent knee injury. She did not return.
Monticello turned up the defense in the third quarter, allowing only five Warrior points to lead by six after 24 minutes.
“We were just trying to create turnovers to get the speed of the game to where we wanted it,” McElheny said. “We like to play a little more up-tempo and it’s hard when Western likes to grind the games out.”
Monticello took a 32-27 lead late in the final quarter but the Warriors cut the lead to three on an Alora Henry 3-pointer. It was as close as Western would get for the remainder of the game as the Mustangs knocked down critical free throws and forced Warrior turnovers to clinch a berth in the district title game.
Three Mustangs scored at least nine points as Holleran and freshman Meghan Comer both finished with nine points while freshman Molly Shepherd scored 10.
“Those are the three players we’ve gone with all year,” McElheny said. “We’ve relied on them all year and it’s tough to guard when you have three players of that caliber.”
Western was led by junior Kathryn Crickenberger, who scored a game-high 14 points but fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Shaffrey chipped in with eight points and six rebounds.
Now Monticello turns its sights to a much-anticipated rematch with the Black Knights.
“I’m sure Charlottesville was in the stands cheering for us,” McElheny said. “They want another shot at us after that bank-in 3 last time so we are definitely going to have to come ready to play.”
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