Loudoun Co. Is Through to the Finals

Raiders Turn Regional Rematch Into a Mismatch

By Paul Tenorio

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

RICHMOND — After finishing as runner-up for both the district regular season and tournament titles this season, Loudoun County Coach Kevin Reed said he told his team that beginning with the region tournament, the Raiders had an opportunity to make history.

But after winning the girls' Virginia AA Region II Division 4 crown on Feb. 28 in Charlottesville, Loudoun County Athletic Director Ken Wright walked into the classroom where the Raiders were gathered and made a declaration: "That's not the picture we're putting up" on the wall, Wright said.

With those words in mind, the Raiders turned in their second consecutive dominant performance in the state tournament, running Charlottesville off the court with a 77-45 victory in Tuesday night's Virginia AA Division 4 state semifinal and moving one win away from a state championship - and from a new picture to hang in the school's hallways.

"He had a good vision of what we were trying to accomplish," Reed said. "And we got that done tonight."

As they had done earlier this week when they used a 30-point second quarter to kick start a blowout win over Courtland in the quarterfinals, Loudoun County (24-5) looked to get running early on, with senior point guard Kerry Sarver pushing the ball up the court and finding the Raiders two top scorers - Alissa Kain and Brittany Batts - for open looks.

Batts was deadly from long range, draining four three-pointers in the first half en route to a game-high 23 points. And Kain - who has risen out of the shadows of Dulles District Division 4 player of the year Kendra Holmes and Batts to become the Raiders' top threat in the postseason - added 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

With the two guards draining their shots, the Raiders seized control of the game almost immediately, closing out the first quarter on a 19-2 run to open a 16-point lead, then continuing the onslaught with 21 second-quarter points.

"Basically in our system, it's pretty simple," Reed said. "If you're open, shoot. And if you don't shoot, I'm going to yell at you to shoot or I'm going to put someone else in there that does want to shoot."

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Loudoun County Wins State Semifinal Game

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Loudoun County celebrates its 77-45 win over Charlottesville in the Virginia AA Division 4 state semifinals. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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The Raiders' Kerry Sarver comes up with the steal and looks upcourt during the fourth quarter against Charlottesville. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Charlottesville's Jasmyn Jones and Loudoun County's Alissa Kain fight for a loose ball under the Raiders' basket during the first quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County's Erica Linnemann blows past Charlottesville's Elizabeth Von Storch late in the first half. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Loudoun County's Brittany Batts is fouled by Charlottesville's Shontae Payne late in the third quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Charlottesville's Olivia Levine fouls Loudoun County Alissa Kain during the third quarter. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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But despite the gaudy offensive numbers, Sarver credited the team's defense as the catalyst that makes Loudoun County go.

The Raiders fast-paced, high-energy mentality comes from that side of the court, she said, as they apply relentless pressure and look to dominate the boards in order to spark the fast breaks.

The Raiders held Charlottesville to just five points in the first quarter and limited senior star Shontae Payne to just four first-half points. For the game, the Black Knights shot just 30.5 percent and turned the ball over 29 times.

"That's where it all starts," said Sarver, who finished with eight points, nine assists and five steals. "Our whole system is based off our defense and our rebounding. Offense comes after defense."

Notes: Kerry Sarver, the lone senior on Loudoun County’s roster, is used to state competition. Sarver was a member of the Raiders’ state semifinal team in 2005-06 and won state titles with the Loudoun County volleyball team in 2007 and 2008. ... Loudoun County will face Turner Ashby in the final on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Siegel Center. Turner Ashby defeated Loudoun County, 69-57, on Dec. 3 in the Raiders' second game of the season. Loudoun County held a 35-27 halftime lead before Turner Ashby rallied.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks