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Girls' basketball: Freedom outlasts James Monroe
FAIRFAX--The Freedom Eagles showed the heart of champions March 7 during their Virginia Division 3 quarterfinal game against James Monroe at Robinson Secondary School.
After their 10-point halftime lead was sliced to three and with two of their top players -- Meixandra Porter and Dionna Scott -- in foul trouble late in the third quarter, the Eagles buckled down and rattled off 12 of the game's next 14 points to build a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Though Porter, Freedom's floor general, fouled out with 3:43 left in regulation, the Eagles held off a late charge from the Yellow Jackets to win 64-57 and claim their spot in the state semifinals.
"I think that's scheduling," Freedom coach Jason Eldredge said of what helped his team overcome James Monroe's challenge. "That's putting us on the road against tough opponents. Our out of district schedule was very tough. That's why they weren't rattled."
Junior center Kelsey Buchanan paced the Eagles (25-2) with 23 points and 15 rebounds. In limited minutes, Scott scored 20 points and grabbed 13 boards, while Porter added 14.
While the big three once again led the way, Eldredge felt his team's depth was the difference in the win.
"I went 10 or 11 deep on my bench. I knew everyone was going to come in and contribute," he said. "I wanted to wear them down a little bit. I knew they didn't have anything coming off the bench. We did that.
"But give [James Monroe] a lot of credit. They fought back. I thought they were a little undermanned but they were still able to give themselves a chance. We just outlasted them."
Freedom's victory sets up a rematch with Millbrook in the Virginia Division 3 semifinals March 10, 11 a.m. at the Siegel Center in Richmond. The Eagles defeated the Pioneers 61-43 in the Region II Division 3 title game Feb. 28. Millbrook topped Greensville 45-40 in the state quarterfinals.
"They are going to come out more aggressive," Porter said of Millbrook's approach to the rematch. "It's going to be an interesting game. We are definitely excited to play them again."
All photos by Greg Nash.
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