Thomas Dale girls follow district title with tournament crown

PETERSBURG -- Wracked by illness and under intense pressure by a Meadowbrook team playing some of its best basketball of the season, the Thomas Dale girls found strength at the right time.

The Knights defeated the Monarchs 53-49 last night in the final of the Central District tournament at Petersburg High. The victory added another first to the Knights' résumé: first time tournament champions. Thomas Dale also won its first girls regular-season title.

"We're happy, excited and relieved," Thomas Dale coach Kevin Coffey said. "They earned it."

The Knights didn't lose to a district foe this season. They lost three down-to-the-wire games to the Monarchs last year, including the tournament title game.

"We used last year as our reference. That was our motivation," Coffey said.

Thomas Dale started quickly last night. All five starters scored in the first quarter, which concluded with the Knights up 21-10.

Meadowbrook took over the next two quarters. The Monarchs outscored the Knights 31-17 behind Crystal Smith, who scored 15 of her 21 points in those 16 minutes. Smith connected on four of her five 3-pointers during that stretch. Jasmine Hatcher (14 points, 14 rebounds) and Katrina Marks (eight rebounds) dominated the boards for Meadowbrook, and the Knights couldn't generate offense against the Monarchs' pressure.

"Kudos to Crystal," Dale's Ka'lia Johnson said. "That was just good basketball, but once we started to put more pressure on the ball, they started to miss."

The Monarchs, despite missing plenty of shots inside, led 41-38 going into the final quarter.

"Soon as we got a lead, they went to [Andrea] Hobbs. She's their secret weapon," Meadowbrook coach Mike Knight said.

Hobbs plays in the shadow of Johnson, the district player of the year, and shooter Alyssa Frye (12 points). Hobbs scored nine of her 11 points in the second half. She scored on a breakaway and made two free throws in the fourth quarter to give the Knights the lead for good at 44-43.

"She's always there to hit the big shot when you need it," Coffey said.

And the Monarchs grew tired.

Johnson, who played with a 100-degree fever, scored on a three-point play to give Dale a cushion. She finished with 16 points. Taylor Bradley sank four straight free throws to seal the decision.

"We're beat up a little bit, but we pulled through," Coffey said. "We had to be mentally strong, and our up times came at critical times. We were able to get the ball in the hands of the right people at the right time."

MEADOWBROOK (15-10)

Smith 21, Forrest 2, Cunningham 2, Ka. Marks 2, Coleman 8, Arrington 0, Hatcher 14. Totals. 19 4-8 49.
THOMAS DALE (23-1)

Frye 12, Sweeney 0, Johnson 16, Williams 4, Hobbs 11, Scott 4, Bradley 6. Totals 21 8-11 53.
Meadowbrook ------------------------- 10 15 16 8 -- 49
Thomas Dale ------------------------- 21 9 8 15 -- 53

3-point goals: M -- Smith 5, Coleman 2. TD -- Frye 2, Hobbs.