Pushed to the Brink, Loudoun County Pushes Back

By Garrett Downing

Saturday, February 9, 2008

With 4 minutes 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter Friday against Briar Woods, the Loudoun County girls' basketball team found itself in the unfamiliar position of trailing in a game.

Loudoun County Coach Kevin Reed called a timeout to calm down his team, which was trailing by two points.

The visiting Raiders turned to senior leader Samantha Akers, who was having a quiet game up to that point, to take control.

Akers came out of the timeout and scored a quick basket, then grabbed a steal and put up another two points to give the Raiders a lead they would never surrender. Loudoun County went on to win, 60-57, for its 16th consecutive victory and clinched at least a share of the regular-season Dulles District title.

"The timeout was a chance for us to recuperate, get our breaths and settle down," Reed said.

Akers's late baskets helped the Raiders open up a four-point advantage with 2:30 left. Loudoun County then shifted its focus to draining the clock, and spreading the ball around to find the open shots underneath the hoop.

"If we usually get to 60 (points), we are going to win the majority of our basketball games," Reed said. "I did have my doubts there in the fourth quarter. We were at a point where we could have lost that game."

The Raiders (18-2, 12-0) took a four-point lead into halftime, but then the lead changed hands four times in the second half before they ultimately pulled away.

Even though she only had five points in the first half, Akers came up big when her team needed her most, and finished with a team-high 16 points.

Briar Woods (12-7, 6-5) offense runs primarily through Kim Bell, one of the district's most dominant inside players. She caused problems for the Raiders for most of the game, totaling 20 points and 13 rebounds.

"It is important that she plays well, especially against good teams," Briar Woods Coach Ben Thompson said. "She has been doing that all year."

In the fourth quarter, Bell's offense was limited, as she attracted double-teams in the paint, and the Falcons opted for several three-point shots to try to erase the Raiders' late lead.

Both teams played a fast-paced game, pushing the ball up the court on transition and always looking for the fast-break opportunity. Junior Krysta Gardner led the Falcons with 17 points.

When the fast break did not work, Loudoun County also elected to use the inside game to provide some of its offense.

The Raiders turned to sophomore Kendra Holmes to put up points in the paint, and also to guard Bell. She scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Raiders have beaten most district opponents pretty handily this year, but they have also shown the ability to come from behind for victories. Against Broad Run, Freedom and Briar Woods they have overcome second-half deficits to win.

In order to win the regular season district outright, the Raiders have to beat Freedom or Heritage in their final two games of the season.

"This Dulles District championship means everything to us because it sets us up for a major postseason run," Reed said.

Tagged: basketball, Briar Woods High School, high school sports, Loudoun County High School, sports

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