Girls Basketball Roundup: Tabb Avenges Double OT Loss Against Lafayette

In a matchup between two top Bay Rivers District teams, Tabb knocked off the Rams on their home court 46-43.

Both Tabb (11-4, 9-3 Bay Rivers District) and Lafayette had much to gain by earning a win during Friday evening’s Bay Rivers District showdown.

Tabb, who entered the contest one game out of first place in the Bay Rivers District, was seeking revenge from an 80-77 double overtime loss against Lafayette from Dec. 9.

Lafayette, who entered the contest tied with Poquoson atop the Bay Rivers District standings, looked to gain sole possession of the district.

The Tigers opened the game looking like the aggressors. Tabb used height and length on defense to pressure Lafayette’s guards on the perimeter, making the Rams struggle for an open look on each possession.

Tabb held Lafayette (10-3, 9-3) to two points in the first quarter.

The Rams, specifically Rachel Lia, woke up in the second quarter to form a counter attack. Lia, who finished with a game-high 20 points, scored six points while sparking an 8-0 Lafayette run during the opening moments of the second quarter.

The Tigers clawed back into the game with the same gritty defense used in the first quarter, and aided by a major 3-pointer from Brianna Harper.

Tabb entered the half with a 17-14 lead.

The third quarter opened fittingly with runs by each team. Tabb started the second half with a quick 6-0 run before the Rams answered back with a 6-0 run of their own — a run that included Kenya Holiday’s first points of the game.

With shots not falling from the perimeter, Lafayette turned to the interior for an offensive spark.

While not always successful at converting opportunities, Raven Blake became a major piece of the Lafayette offense in the second half. Blake crashed the offensive and defensive glass, scoring put-back points in the process.

The Tigers shifted to a mid-range game in the third quarter, allowing Imani McDowell-Jarmon to sink elbow jumpers for a good chunk of the quarter.

Tabb got an unlikely spark in the fourth quarter from Kenna Williams, who seemed to be in the right place at the right time during fast breaks. Williams, who scored six points in the quarter, found herself alone underneath the basket three times in the fourth quarter during transition opportunities, converting all three layups.

With Holiday struggling offensively, Lia attempted to carry the load for Lafayette, scoring eight points in the final stanza.

With 18 seconds remaining, Lia sank two free throws to bring the Rams within one point of Tabb.

Harper was quickly fouled on the inbounds pass and went to the line for a pair of free throws. Harper sank both, giving Tabb a 46-43 lead.

The game appeared all but over after the Rams suffered a backcourt violation after throwing the ball away from the base line to the top of the key.

On the ensuing inbound, a Tabb player fumbled and lost the ball out of bounds, giving the Rams just over two seconds to get a shot off.

Lia attempted to get within a decent shooting range, but could not put up a shot before the buzzer sounded.

Tabb 46, Lafayette 43

Tabb (11-4, 9-3 Bay Rivers District)

McDowell 8, Royal 2, Smith 11, Williams 6, Macfarlane 5, Harper 14

Lafayette (10-3, 9-3 Bay Rivers District)

Hairston 4, Macomber 3, Lia 20, Holiday 6, Blake 10

Tabb: 9 8 10 19 — 46
Lafayette: 2 12 12 17 — 43

3-point goals: Tabb 2 (Smith, Harper)

Bay Rivers District Standings

*Bruton is ranked higher than York because the Panthers defeated the Falcons earlier in the season.

WCA Loses First Metro Conference Game in Six Seasons

The Williamsburg Christian Academy (14-3, 8-1 Metro Conference), who has dominated the Metro Conference for the past six seasons, suffered its first conference loss of the season, breaking a 97-game conference winning streak in the process.

Charnissa Chillers drained a pair of free throws to bring WCA within two points of Atlantic Shores with 36 seconds left. Kaylee Boger was fouled with 5.6 seconds left and also made both free throw attempts, tying the game at 36-36.

The Eagles were one defensive stop away from forcing overtime, and possibly prolonging the impressive streak.

Brianna Thomas of Atlantic Shores dashed the WCA overtime dreams after hitting a 5-foot floater as time expired.

Imani Bryant led WCA with 13 points, while Chillers added 12 in the uncharacteristic loss.

Walsingham Drops Close One to Norfolk Academy

Despite Stephanie Seaman’s valiant 23-point effort, Walsingham Academy (9-7, 1-2 VISAA) was unable to corral Norfolk’s Tyler Moore during a 43-42 loss.

Moore scored all eight of Norfolk Academy’s fourth quarter points, finishing with a game-high 27 on the evening.

Ashley Barnes logged 13 points for Walsingham Academy.

Norfolk Academy 43, Walsingham Academy 42

Norfolk Academy

Vest 6, Williams 1, Wing 9, Moore 27

Walsingham Academy (9-7, 1-2 VISAA)

Seaman 23, Barnes 13, Boyd 3, McBeath 2, Williams 1

NA: 7 15 13 8 — 43
WA: 10 10 12 10 — 42
3-point goals: Norfolk Academy 1 (Moore), Walsingham Academy 6 (Seaman 3, Barnes 3)

Hampton Roads Academy Controls Peninsula Catholic

Leigha Arcand scored a game-high 18 points during an easy Hampton Roads Academy (3-4, 1-2 TCIS) win against Peninsula Catholic 51-12.

The Navigators dominated defensively from the opening tip, shutting out Peninsula Catholic in the first quarter.

Adriana Shockley added 14 points for Hampton Roads Academy.

Hampton Roads Academy 51, Peninsula Catholic 12

Hampton Roads Academy (3-4, 1-2 TCIS)

Bresee 4, Arcand 18, Shockley 14, Kingsbury 4, Davis 1, Teagle 2, Voigtlander 4, DeChirico 2, Ross 2

Peninsula Catholic

Murray 2, Dinh 1, Fugere 3, Edmunds 4, Darley 2

HRA: 14 8 19 9 — 51
PC: 0 3 5 4 — 12
3-point goals: Hampton Roads Academy 1 (Shockley), Peninsula Catholic 1 (Fugere)