STATE EXTRA: Lee advances to title game

RICHMOND — A youth-fueled Robert E. Lee girls basketball team used its speed and spunk to defeat Lord Botetourt 55-49 in the Group AA, Division 3 semifinals Tuesday at VCU’s Siegel Center in Richmond.

Lee combined for a total of 52 rebounds and outscored the Cavaliers 15-5 in the final frame to secure a spot in the championship game Friday against Freedom High School.

Lee took a 20-12 lead in the first stanza, but was slowed down by the Cavaliers’ man-to-man defense.

With Lee shut down offensively, the Cavaliers’ Tyree MacKenzie hit a 3.

The Cavaliers’ Grace Blaylock had a walloping 30 points in the game and contributed 18 points in the second half.

The Cavaliers enjoyed a 10-point run that gave them a 22-20 lead, but it would not be enough to stop Lee.

The Cavaliers added three points but Lee’s Blair McDonough spotted an opening, drove the ball for a bucket and added a point from the line. The Cavaliers had a of 29-28 lead, but Angela Mickens attacked with back-to-back baskets to put Lee ahead 30-29.

“It’s been a tremendous ride,” said Lee coach Jeremy Hartman. “To be 23-5, and to get a state championship — this is what we set our sights on. We’re one step away.”

After the half, the Cavaliers collected 15 points and exchanged baskets. Lee pounced on the Cavaliers and started to slow down their physical game in the fourth quarter.

The Cavaliers had a one-point 45-44 lead but Lee, who struggled from the line during the first quarter, reclaimed its points.

Daquaa Scott was 6-for-6 from the line and pushed her team to a 49-45 lead.

Mickens collected 18 points and Scott collected 20 rebounds. Lee’s defense stopped the Cavaliers from advancing by keeping the ball in their zone.

Mickens admitted they had trouble containing Blaylock.

“She’s a very good player,” Mickens said. “We knew we had our help in the back, we needed to step up our game. You could tell that she was hurt and getting tired in the second quarter.”

Cavaliers coach Chuck Pound praised his team.

“We played this team twice in 10 days, I think our girls did a very good job and I think we were underestimated this season,” he said

Scott said she was getting upset with herself during the game.

“I was getting frustrated with it. I knew I wasn’t doing good in the first three quarters,” she said. “I knew that I had to come out here and play hard.”