IAABO GIRLS' FINAL
No. 1 Riverdale Baptist Cruises to Another Title
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
No matter what was happening in the game last night, or whether her team was on offense or defense, Riverdale Baptist guard Jazzmine Johnson knew the whereabouts of Forest Park guard Danni Jackson.
If Jackson drifted downcourt without the ball, Johnson was there. If Jackson lined up in the back court during a free throw, Johnson was next to her. "I'm always thinking about where Danni is," Johnson said. "Wherever she is, I was right beside her."
Johnson's attention to Jackson -- Forest Park's electrifying senior point guard -- helped top-ranked Riverdale Baptist cruise to a 55-31 victory over the fifth-ranked Bruins in a matchup of area powers in the IAABO Christmas Tournament championship at C.H. Flowers in Springdale.
The victory gave the Crusaders (10-2) their second straight IAABO title and prevented Forest Park (8-1) from knocking off its fourth ranked opponent this year.
"It's a big tournament, and everybody was anxious to get this victory," said Crusaders center Tianna Hawkins, a Maryland recruit who had a game-high 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Forest Park had beaten two ranked opponents -- Wise and C.H. Flowers -- to reach the tournament final in large part because of Jackson, who entered last night's game averaging 25.9 points per game, including a season high of 44.
But Johnson, a junior being recruited by such Division I programs as Seton Hall, Clemson, Richmond and American, focused on forcing the lefty Jackson to dribble to her right. It was a tactic Johnson gleaned from a long line of past AAU battles against Jackson, who has orally committed to George Washington.
"I also had a lot of help on defense," added Johnson, who added 10 points and seven rebounds. "My teammates were there."
Jackson was limited to 2-for-21 shooting, setting the tone for the rest of the team. Together, the Bruins made just 11 of 54 shots.
Forest Park was deterred by a Riverdale Baptist squad that boasts three players committed to Division I schools, two others being recruited to that level and a Division II recruit.
"Riverdale was the first team that matches our athleticism at every position," Bruins Coach Rebecca Tillett said.
The Crusaders led 24-17 at intermission, then used a 19-4 spurt in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
No. 1 Riverdale Baptist 55 No. 5 Forest Park 31 Missing in Action: Riverdale Baptist played without junior forward Ataira Franklin, a Virginia recruit who missed the game with tendinitis in both knees. Big Differences: Riverdale Baptist had seven players 5 feet 10 or taller; Forest Park had just two. The Crusaders outrebounded the Bruins 60-29.
