By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Made free throws helped the Washington girls knock off White Oak, 50-41, in Monday’s Coastal Conference clash. Missed free throws cost the Pam Pack boys dearly in their 64-61 setback to the Vikings.
In the girls game, Washington (4-8, 3-1) was able to convert all ten of its free throws in the fourth quarter to help overcome White Oak. Rakira Ward (12 points) and Kristen Williams (9 points) each buried all four of their shots and Beth Batchelor hit both of her attempts.
“That was huge,” Washington coach Allison Jones said. “That’s an area we’ve worked on in practice so I was glad to see the girls take advantage of those opportunities.”
The free throw shooting was key in staving off a White Oak comeback. The Vikings had trailed by 10 (36-26) after three quarters, but a 9-0 spurt to start the fourth pulled them within 36-35.
“We knew (the Vikings) were going to make a run and we just had to sustain that,” Jones said. “The girls took care of the ball and we started working on the time. They made the most of their opportunities.”
After being tied 10-10 after the first quarter, senior Hayley Stowe helped the Pack take a 25-21 halftime lead thanks to 12 first-half points. Stowe finished with 14 points.
White Oak tied it up at 25-25 early in the third, but the Pack responded with an 11-1 run to close the quarter. Williams and Shaquana Rascoe got inside for easy baskets, thanks to nice passes, to cap a 7-0 spurt as the Pack led by 10 going into the final period.
Rachelle Smith, who led White Oak with 14 points, and Kiara Cruse (13 points) led a 9-0 rally that trimmed Washington’s lead to a single point.
However, Staneshia Griffin’s drive stopped the Viking run and gave Washington a 38-35 lead. The Pack went on to hits its free throws to pull away down the stretch.
“I was really pleased with our effort,” Jones said. “The girls played smart tonight, and it was a team effort.”
BOYS FALL
Washington seemed poised to win its first game of 2010, but White Oak had other ideas.
The Pack (6-7, 1-3) couldn’t hold onto a late eight-point lead, missing 14 costly free throws and allowing a handful of turnovers that led to easy White Oak points in the 64-61 setback.
The loss spoiled a 26-outburst by Lindsey Harris.
“They wanted it a little bit more than we did,” Washington coach Joe Lawrence said. “I really believe that. I just don’t think we were focused.”
Tremayne McNair, who paced the Vikings with 24 points, helped White Oak outscore the Pack 16-5 to end the game.
Washington came out shooting lights out, getting nine points from Harris for a 20-16 lead. The Pack’s lead was whittled to one, 31-30, at halftime. Taraja Langley (8 points) had a chance to increase the lead after getting fouled while shooting a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the usual solid shooter misfired on all three shots.
The Pack pushed its lead to 39-33 in the third before White Oak used a 7-0 run to grab a 40-39 advantage. Langley’s driving basket shortly before the horn gave Washington a 41-40 edge heading into the fourth.
Triples by Josh O’Neal and Harris handed the Pack a 50-44 lead. Washington led by as many as eight (56-48), but couldn’t put the Vikings away. McNair’s steal and layup capped another 7-0 spurt, giving the Vikings a 60-59 lead.
Chris Albritton got inside for Washington the next time down the floor, making it 61-60. But McNair’s two free throws with 17 seconds left gave the Vikings a 62-61 lead.
A missed assignment foiled a potential game-changing shot by the Pack.
After two more free throws gave White Oak a 64-61 lead, the Pack had one last chance at tying it. However, Harris missed a heave from the top of the circle at the buzzer.
Washington plays at D.H. Conley on Wednesday, before returning home Friday to face South Central.
GIRLS
White Oak 10 11 5 15 — 41
Washington 10 15 11 14 — 50
White Oak (41)
Rachelle Smith 14, Kiara Cruse 13, McLain 6, Hardison 6, Young 2.
Washington (50)Hayley Stowe 14, Rakira Ward 12, Williams 9, Griffin 7, Batchelor 4, Rascoe 3, Cantrell 1.
BOYS
White Oak 16 14 10 24 — 64
Washington 20 11 10 20 — 61
White Oak (64)
Tremayne McNair 24, D. Sanders 12, Simmons 9, T. Hardison 6, Adams 4, Wilson 4, P. Hardison 2, Jones 2, Speight 1.
Washington (61)
Lindsey Harris 26, Hodges 8, Langley 8, Tripp 7, O’Neal 6, Albritton 6.