Justices pull away from Springers, look forward to a ‘classic’ rematch

The rematch is upon us.

Reigning Central Region champion John Marshall and last year's runner-up, Petersburg, tangle Monday night at 7:45 at the Siegel Center.

After undefeated and nationally ranked Petersburg defeated Henrico in the first semifinal last night, John Marshall, No. 2 in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, earned the opportunity to defend its title with a 74-68 victory over third-ranked Highland Springs before a capacity (7,500) crowd at the Siegel Center.

JM and Petersburg also gained spots in the Group AAA quarterfinals against representatives from the Northern Region.

Monday's final will determine which team gets a home game Friday night at the Siegel Center. The runner-up has to travel either Friday or Saturday.

"It's the rematch we've all been waiting for," John Marshall's Travis McKie said. "It's going to be a classic."

John Marshall and Highland Springs didn't play a classic last night, but the teams went toe-to-toe on both ends of the floor for three quarters. The Justices led 14-5 in the first quarter, but the Springers bounced back to take a 21-20 lead early in the second quarter.

John Marshall closed the first half with 6-0 run and led 34-29 at halftime. The third quarter was more of the same back and forth. Two free throws by Quantae Cooley after Highland Springs' Derrick Hopkins was called for a blocking foul gave the Springers the lead for good with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

"That was the defining moment. Derrick took a charge that was called a block, and I think that took the wind out of our sails," said Highland Springs coach George Lancaster, who hinted that last night's game may well have been his last after 30 years of guiding the Springers. "After that, we turned the ball over. We fouled. It hurt our morale, and it hurt our focus."

Out of 20 possessions in the fourth quarter, John Marshall put points on the board 14 times. The Justices could have scored more but missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Maurice Johnson and Cooley missed dunks.

The Justices scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to break the game open. The big crowd was subdued for most of the game until Randall Ward and McKie teamed for a spectacular dunk off a high lob pass.

"We work on it in practice," Ward said. "Sometimes I throw good ones; sometimes I throw bad ones. I think this was a bad one, but he went up and got it."

Among the spectators were several college coaches, including Wake Forest's Dino Gaudio.

JM's biggest lead was 14 points with 2:52 remaining in the game. Johnson sealed the victory with a three-point play off a long inbounds pass from McKie at 1:09.

Cooley finished with a game-high 23 points and added 11 rebounds. McKie contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots. Ward chipped in 14 points, and Johnson had 10.

"We beat a good team, but we're also a good club," longtime JM coach Frank Threatts said. "If we play the way we are capable of playing, we can beat anybody. The last three or four games, our defense has come back. We can see the difference."

Jeri Mask scored 21 points to lead the Springers. Xavier Parham (17 points, five assists), Natwan Young (14 points) and Sage Reed (12 points, four blocks) also scored in double figures.

"I love this team," Lancaster said. "It's a blessing at the end of a long career to have a bunch of guys like these."

Contact Arthur Utley at (804) 649-6559 or .

HIGHLAND SPRINGS (24-3)

Parham 17, Young 14, Mask 21, Williams 2, Reed 12, Lewis 0, Hodnett 0, Judon 1, Hopkins 0. Totals 22 20-26 68.
JOHN MARSHALL (25-3)

Ward 14, Johnson 10, Cooley 23, Little 6, McKie 19, O'Neil 0, Brown 2, Braxton 0. Totals 29 13-18 74.
Highland Springs ------------------------- 17 12 15 24 -- 68
John Marshall ------------------------- 20 14 12 28 -- 74

3-point goals: HS -- Mask 2, Parham 2. JM -- Ward 2, McKie.