Star Elijah Moore carried the scoring load for three quarters before letting point guard Tyler McMillan close things out in the fourth, but the biggest difference in Grafton’s 57-45 Bay Rivers District victory over Warhill Wednesday night came on the other end of the court.
Moore’s season-high 18 rebounds were a clear factor, as was athletic forward Jesse Santiago’s bold defensive effort on Warhill point guard Jacary Crew, but it took a collective effort from the Clippers’ unit to hold the visiting Lions without a single made field goal the entire fourth period.
Warhill shot 0-11 from the floor during the final eight minutes, netting all five of their fourth-quarter points from the free-throw line as the first-place Clippers pulled away for their 15th straight Bay Rivers District victory.
More importantly, the win guaranteed the Clippers (17-2, 15-0 BRD) at least a share of their second-consecutive district title, which they can clinch outright on Friday with a victory over rival Tabb.
“Our goal all season has been to run the table in districts and get that No. 1 seed in regionals,” Grafton Coach Jeremy Jordan said after the game. “I was really happy with the way we defended tonight, especially in the fourth quarter.
“The focus coming in was to limit [Warhill] to 12 points a quarter because we feel like we’re capable enough offensively, and Elijah [Moore] and Tyler [McMillan] really carried us in that aspect.”
Moore, who turned in a solid all-around performance with 21 points and 18 boards, dominated early scoring 18 of Grafton’s 32 points in the first half. Warhill (11-5, 9-5 BRD) hung ,never trailing by more than seven thanks largely to the strong play of Marcus Brooks, who thrived off second-chance points during the first two periods, inside.
Grafton led 13-12 after one before Moore caught fire in the second quarter scoring 12 points, including the final six of the half on back-to-back 3-point buckets. The Clippers’ lead grew to 32-29 lead at the break.
The third period was an exchange of runs, although neither side gained enough momentum for a commanding lead.
Warhill’s talented backcourt duo of Devonte Dedmon and Crew set an aggressive tone to start the second half, sparking a 6-0 run for the Lions, who took a 35-32 lead in the opening minutes of the third period.
McMillan answered back with six points during a 10-0 Grafton run as the Clippers went back up 42-35, although Brooks and Dedmon closed the quarter strong in helping Warhill trim Grafton’s lead to 43-40 heading into the fourth.
It appeared as if the battle was going to be a fight to the finish after Brandon Pugh knocked down a pair of free throws to bring the Lions within one, 43-42, to open the final period, but Warhill fell into a dreadful 0-11 shooting slump – a credit to Grafton’s stifling man-to-man defense – and never recovered after Joey Miller’s 3-pointer followed by two made free throws with 2:55 gave the Clippers their largest lead of the game, 50-42.
“In the fourth quarter we did a much better job with our defensive rotations, switching on the ball, and forcing them into tough shots, and then we rebounded well,” Jordan said.
McMillan, who has emerged as Grafton’s fourth-quarter closer from the free-throw line, went 7-8 from the stripe the rest of the way as the Clippers’ lead grew to double digits in the waning minutes.
“We really wanted to shut down their two scorers, Dedmon and Crew,” said Santiago, who led Grafton’s stout defensive effort. “Joey [Miller] did a nice job on Dedmon I thought, and I just tried to keep [Crew] in front and not let him get around me with his quickness.
“Being in so many games like this helps because we’ve gotten used to having to come up with stops, and that’s what we did tonight.”
Added Jordan, “We expected a close game because they’re a quality opponent, but we also expect to win here at home where we haven’t lost in over two years.
“We were confident going into the fourth quarter that we would find a way, because that’s what good teams do.”
Grafton 57 Warhill 45
Grafton- 13 19 11 14 – 57
Warhill- 12 17 11 5 – 45
Grafton (15-0 BRD)- McMillan 22, Moore 21, Miller 10, I. Moore 4. Totals 19 11-16; 57.
Warhill (9-5 BRD)- Brooks 11, Crew 11, Dedmon 10, Pugh 7, Tyler 6. Totals 17 10-16; 45.
