Madison Outlasts W.T. Woodson
Thursday, February 16, 2006; Page E12
It's a pleasant mystery to the Madison girls: Why are we such good free throw shooters? The No. 15 Warhawks don't emphasize foul shots in practice, they just seem to hit them during games, at a 72 percent clip, tops in the Northern Region.
It was that accuracy that helped Madison distance itself from unrelenting W.T. Woodson in the Virginia AAA Liberty District semifinals last night at South Lakes. The Warhawks made eight of eight free throws in the final 49 seconds -- both ends of four one-and-ones -- to pull out a 48-40 victory.
  Forest Park's Monica Wright, averaging 22.3 points, was among 20 players selected to the all-America game, to compete on April 1. (By Joel Richardson -- The Washington Post) |
Madison (22-2), winner of 19 in a row, advances to the Liberty championship against Marshall at 6 p.m. tomorrow at South Lakes. Marshall is the only Liberty team to beat Madison this season.
Last night, senior guard Christy Cushnie led the Warhawks with 20 points and made four of the foul shots in the last minute. Sophomore guard Kristen Ceglie and senior forward Kerry Sparrow (10 points) made the others.
"Hitting those free throws -- you can't say enough about how important that is," said Madison Coach Denise Weinig, adding with a laugh, "I've been trying to not talk too much about it."
Until the game-ending free throw flurry, Woodson (12-12) never trailed by more than five points in the second half. But any time the defending district champion Cavaliers pulled within a basket, Madison would score at the other end.
Junior Cathy Cockrum led Woodson with 23 points and seven rebounds. She and senior Casi Donelan, the team's second-leading scorer this season, had combined for 37 points in the Cavaliers' 51-50 loss to Madison on Friday.
Woodson will be paired with the National District champion, likely No. 1 Edison, in the first round of the Northern Region tournament next week.
Lake Braddock Holds On
Lake Braddock had lost twice to Annandale during the regular season, and the Bruins seemed bent on doing so for a third time Tuesday night in the AAA Patriot District quarterfinals, despite leading by double digits late in the fourth quarter.
The Atoms (11-11) trimmed the lead to one thanks to its defensive pressure and the Bruins (10-10) continually missing free throws. On Annandale's final possession, a player drove to the basket and Bruins junior guard Mikala Savaides knocked the ball loose. There was a scramble for it as time expired, and Lake Braddock escaped with a 45-44 win.
"We almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory," Bruins Coach Derek Fisher said. "We were definitely rattled and felt it slipping away. I'm just glad we didn't have another minute to go."
With the win, the Bruins earned a region tournament berth for the fifth straight year.
Wright, McLaren Chosen
Two area players have been chosen to compete in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association High School All-America Game set for April 1 at Northeastern University in Boston, in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four.
Forest Park guard Monica Wright and Good Counsel post player Kaili McLaren were among 20 players selected to the all-American team. The honor squad will be divided into two teams for the all-star game.
The 5-foot-11 Wright, averaging 22.3 points for No. 7 Forest Park, has signed with Virginia. The 6-3 McLaren, averaging 17.8 points for the No. 3 Falcons, has signed with Connecticut.
Epiphanny Prince of Murry Bergtraum High School in New York also was named to the WBCA all-American team. The Rutgers-bound Prince recently scored 113 points in a game, setting a new national record.
