Orange County outlasts Monticello in quarterfinals

ORANGE — Orange County’s basketball team is peaking at just the right time. The Hornets, fresh off a thrilling win over Western Albemarle on Tuesday, kept the momentum going on Friday night, dispatching a pesky Monticello squad in the quarterfinals of the Jefferson District tournament.

The Mustangs chipped away at the double-digit lead before Orange pulled away in the final minute for a 75-69 victory.

“I’m happy to get a win. Monticello’s record doesn’t show how tough a team they are,” Orange coach Keyode Rogers said. “They play with a lot of grit and a lot of heart and they played hard the whole game — you can’t count them out. We did a good job rebounding tonight and finishing our sets and that was key to our victory tonight.”

The Hornets were able to take control by halftime with the help of D.J. Brown. The 6-foot-5 senior scored 16 points in the second quarter, including 15 straight for Orange to end the half.

Brown, who poured in a game-high 26 points, drained three 3-pointers during that span as the Hornets took a 35-29 lead.

Orange continued to build on that lead in the third quarter, with several key baskets from Spencer Jarrell. The Hornets extended their advantage to 12 by the end of the quarter.

But Monticello wouldn’t go away. The visitors opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to five, and continued to keep it close. The Mustangs cut into the deficit behind baskets from Hines Banks, Kevin Archer and Channing Grey. Archer, who came off the bench to score 16, hit his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 45 seconds to play as the Mustangs pulled within four points.

But Jarrell hit one of two free throws, then Brown got the rebound and putback to help seal the win.

As was the case much of the year, Monticello played well in spurts, but struggled to put it all together. Banks paced the Mustangs with 20 points and Mark Brady added 10.

“When we play together we’re a very good team. When we decide we want to play one-on-one basketball is when we get in trouble,” Monticello coach Kareem Martin said. “They played hard and they’re going to play hard. The difference is playing hard as a team and playing hard as individuals, you can’t beat anybody.”

Orange on the other hand, got a balanced effort all around. While Brown had the hot hand most of the night, Quintin Hunter also had a stellar night with 17 points and nine rebounds. The Hornets also got key contributions from role players Jarrell and Mike Nixon. Jarrell finished with nine points, while Nixon added 11 before fouling out.

Orange will play top seed Charlottesville in the semifinals on Tuesday at Western Albemarle.

Orange girls knock off Monticello

The Orange County girls basketball team broke to an early lead and cruised past Monticello, 68-41, in the Jefferson District quarterfinals on Friday night.

The Hornets, which never trailed, got contributions up and down the lineup in the win. Jasmine Johnson paced Orange with a season-high 20 points, while Christina Harvey added 10 points.

“It’s great to see them get the lead and build on the lead,” Orange coach Lauren Luck said. “We’ve had problems in the past with losing the lead and having to catch up, so we’re proud it was a team effort. We ran our defense really well, we ran our press really well and they stuck with it and did the things they were supposed to do.”

The Hornets advance to the semifinals on Wednesday against Charlottesville.

Skylar Scott finished with eight points and Dee Dee Hopkins and Micalah Sacre each contributed seven.

Monticello did not have a player reach double figures in the win. The Mustangs were led by Lisa Marshall, who had eight points. Chelsea Reynolds and Tia Shelton had seven points apiece.