Atlee’s girls hang on to capture Capital title

Richelle Price's confident play served as the bulwark that helped Atlee withstand a furious fourth-quarter comeback by Highland Springs and claim a 53-47 victory in the Capital District girls basketball championship at Hanover High School last night.

The senior forward overcame a two-point third quarter, scoring seven points in the final eight minutes to give the Raiders the winning margin in a quarter in which they were outscored 17-9.

Atlee (21-3), ranked No. 5 in the Times-Dispatch poll, next plays host to Patrick Henry in the first round of the Central Region tournament on Monday. The ninth-ranked Springers (16-9) play host to J.R. Tucker.

Price led the Raiders with 21 points. Guard Brittany Hill added 14. Guard Kyra Coleman led Highland Springs with 14 points. The Springers made but 14 of 30 free throws.

Price said fatigue had nothing to do with the diminished Raider momentum toward the end of the game.

"I don't think we were tired," Price said. "I think it was a lot of mental lapses in the game. We just have to work on playing hard throughout the game."

Throughout the game, Atlee seemed plagued by offensive lapses, with quite a few turnovers from bad passes and a number of missed easy shots - layups included.

"It wasn't a fluid game. I don't think either team really got going on offense," said Atlee coach Anna Prillaman. "We kind of gritted our teeth and toughed it out."

A 10-0 second-period spurt sent the Raiders into halftime with a 29-19 lead. Even though Atlee outscored Highland Springs 15-11 in the third quarter, cracks were beginning to show, and the Springers took full advantage of them before running out of time in the fourth.

Part of Atlee's troubles may have reflected a late shift in the Springers' style of play.

"We kind of changed our philosophy the last couple of games," said Highland Springs coach Franklin Harris. "We started playing full-court man. We'd been playing probably 95 percent zone, but just decided going into the regionals to really use our athletic ability. We needed to go man-to-man on everybody."

The defensive change worked against Hanover in the district semifinals, and at least slowed Atlee down last night.

"I can see where it made one or two turnovers maybe off their press," Prillaman said. "I think it served to slow us down more than anything."

Prillaman confessed to getting a bit nervous as the lead dwindled in the fourth quarter, but her team showed no sign of concern.

"We just had faith in each other," said Sydney Henderson. "We always talk to each other. I know we always say we never feel like we're going to lose."

HIGHLAND SPRINGS (16-9)

Jones 5, Jefferies 0, Dabney 4, Taylor 8, Hart 6, Coleman 14, Cannon 2, Tinsley 2, Ross 6. Totals 16 14-30 47.
ATLEE (21-3)

Hill 14, S. Henderson 9, T. Henderson 7, Price 21, Ashcraft 0, Eberle 2. Totals 20 10-14 53.
Highland Springs ------------------------- 12 7 11 17 - 47
Atlee ------------------------- 14 15 15 9 - 53

3-point goals: HS - Dabney. A - Hill, T. Henderson, Price.