Osbourn Park Falls Short to Madison in State Championship Rematch

 

Osbourn Park's starters from left to right: Kori Cole, Alana Powell, Hailey Kellogg, Danielle Darfour and Alex Brown.

(photo via InsideNova)

The Osbourn Park lady Yellow Jackets came into Friday's state championship rematch versus the James Madison Warhawks riding a twenty game win streak, most recently beating Thomas Dale on Monday. The streak would be snapped as the Warhawks would defend their championship throne, winning their 19th straight game, 38-29. 

The two teams would battle to break the ice, with no team making a field goal for the first 3:20 of the game. Osbourn Park senior Hailey Kellogg would score the game's first point, going 1-2 from the free throw line. Gritty defense by both squads was front and center early, as both teams shot a combined 5-20 in the game's opening quarter. 

Madison senior Sarah Link would help her team take a 2-1 lead with a layup a minute later. Baskets by Kellogg and junior Alana Powell would give OP their largest lead all night of three points. Link and senior Mia Chapman would give the lead back to the Warhawks with a trio of buckets to end the quarter up 8-5 over the Yellow Jackets. 

The stifling defense would continue from both sides in the second quarter. A Hailey Kellogg floater early in the second quarter got her team within a point of Madison, but it would end up being Osbourn Park's only basket for the rest of the first half. The only other point would come by way of a Chloe Wolfe-Pullen free throw with 3:27 left in the half. 

Madison sophomore Avery Griepentrog would get in on the scoring action with an and-one bucket after a foul by OP, and Sarah Link would end the scoring for the half as Madison led 15-8. 

The sensational Warhawks senior duo of twins Grace and Alayna would be held scoreless for the first two quarters- but that would change immediately as the third quarter kicked off. Grace sank a three-pointer at the 7:05 mark to give her team an 18-8 lead. 

Cedar Run Player of the Year Hailey Kellogg would score 15 points to lead all scorers in her final game as a Yellow Jacket.

(photo via InsideNova)

Junior Yellow Jacket Kori Cole would find freshman Alex Brown for a basket. A minute later, Hailey Kellogg would drill a three-pointer to climb back within seven points of Madison. Kellogg would finish the game leading OP in scoring with 15 points. She'd also add in 4 rebounds, 3 steals and an assist. 

A pair of Osbourn Park turnovers would be capped off with a layup by Grace Arnolie as Madison took a healthy 24-13 lead. She'd have the ball in her hands minutes later and hit a three-pointer to put the Warhawks up 27-15. Hailey Kellogg dazzled fans on the next play when she grabbed a defensive rebound and took it the length of the court using a spin and up and under layup to get her team back within ten points. 

The Arnolie sisters would link up in the fourth as Grace found Alayna on a backdoor cut to give their team their largest lead of the night of 15 points at 33-18. Madison would lead for 25:12 to OP's 4:19.

Osbourn Park head coach Chrissy Kelly has led her team to the state championship in back to back seasons, compiling a 40-5 record, 19-1 in Cedar Run District play. 

(photo via InsideNova)

 

Alana Powell would find Hailey Kellogg for her second three of the game on the next play. Senior Kacey Kelly would steal the ball and race to the other end for a layup. A basket by Alana Powell would continue their momentum, and a pair of free throws by Alex Brown capped off a 9-2 run with 4:44 to go and Madison up 35-27. 

Hailey Kellogg would find Kacey Kelly for a jumper to keep the deficit at eight points at 37-29 with 2:20 left in the game- but a long possession by Madison drained the clock down to just over a minute to go in the fourth. Osbourn Park would have to foul to stop the clock with Madison going 1-4 at the line to end the game. 

I caught up with Osbourn Park head coach Chrissy Kelly after the game to get her thoughts on the team's performance. 

"They're a great team. Defensively we played a really good game. It's a shame we didn't get the scoring we're capable of. But the offensive rebounds for Madison killed us in the first half."

Kelly would then reflect on Osbourn Park's season as a whole. 

"At the very beginning of the season, I don't pay attention to rankings. But a coach showed me the rankings- and there were no conversations about us in them. I told the girls to remember that, because no one thinks you are going to be anything. But in the end, we got to dictate when our last practice was. We got to the state championship with minimal experience and lost by nine to a team that's been together for four years. You can't hang your head on that."

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin presents Osbourn Park with the runner-up plaque. 

Kelly would also speak to Hailey Kellogg's game, and then her effect on this year's team. 

"She can't be sad. She can't be upset. She left it all out there today. She's intangible. Forget the basketball. Her mental toughness with the fortitude, her motor, her leadership- everyone who got to play with her over the last few seasons is privileged."

Hailey Kellogg finishes her career as a Yellow Jacket as a 3-time district champion, a 2-time region champion, a 2-time state runner-up, the 2022 Cedar Run Player of the Year and the 2022 Region 6 Player of the Year. She will continue her basketball career at Christopher Newport University while studying political science. 

Lastly, coach spoke about her other two seniors- Kacey Kelly and Chloe Wolfe-Pullen. 

"Kacey made the decision to come out this year and she was huge in this game: steals, the layup, the jumper at the end. Chloe came in and gave us valuable minutes, She got to the free throw line. Our seniors gave everything they could give to win it today."

Following the game, individual championship plaques and both the runner-up and championship trophies would be presented by Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin. 

Keep up with all things Lady Yellow Jackets by following them on Instagram at @OPHSWBB. 

Personally this has been a very fun run to cover. The schedules didn't always match up for me to cover both girl's and boy's basketball, but when I was able to get the opportunity to watch these girls in action, it was a blast. The effort was always there, even in games where they were up big. The hunger to be better each time out was there, too. 

Watching Chrissy Kelly coach was an honor and I always appreciate the time she would give me after games were over and fans had filed out. Her staff is incredibly hard-working just like her, and their cohesiveness on the sidelines was a smooth operation. Their ability to get the absolute most out of each player was very impressive. 

I'd once again like to thank student activities director Keith Lane for allowing me to cover the team as well.  

Thank you to all the parents I would meet at the games. I highly enjoyed talking with you and breaking down the games. It's easy to see why these girls were so successful and determined throughout the season. 

Also a big shout-out to RJ Jones and Mark Boakye who worked with the girls during practices after their season had ended. 

These nine girls may have come up short in their bid for a championship, but this season will go down as one of Osbourn Park's most impressive in school history. 

Catch everyone next season. 

The Osbourn Park 9 finished 26-2, winning 20 of their last 21 games.

Lady Yellow Jackets Topple Thomas Dale in State Semifinals

Osbourn Park won their 20th straight game Monday night to earn a spot in the state championship game for the second straight year. (photo via InsideNova)

With a nineteen-game win streak and a spot in the state championship in Richmond on the line, the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets had plenty to play for at home Monday night against Thomas Dale. Just like against James River Midlothian, they'd use strong second half play to secure a second straight state championship appearance, winning 50-37. 

Points would come at a premium from the very beginning of the game. An early OP turnover led to an early 2-0 lead for the Knights. Junior guard Alana Powell would rectify things with a layup of her own and tie the game. A pair of free throws by junior guard Danielle Darfour would keep things even at 4 with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. 

Osbourn Park would fail to get any real traction with turnovers, fouls and a 1-14 start from the field. Despite all of that adversity, they'd trail by one basket with the Knights up 7-5 after one. 

The home team would strike first in the second quarter when junior forward Kori Cole found freshman center Alex Brown to tie the game 7-7. Senior point guard Hailey Kellogg would be the next to find Brown for a basket. An Alana Powell steal would turn into Kori Cole dishing it to Kellogg to spur a 4-0 OP run and an 11-9 lead. An 11-4 quarter would give the Yellow Jackets a 16-11 lead heading into the half. 

Senior Hailey Kellogg led OP with 17 points, including a perfect 10-10 at the free throw line. (photo via InsideNova)

Thomas Dale would use a quick 4-0 run led by freshman guard Nylah Wilson to open up the second half. Alana Powell countered with two free throws and a tremendous basket while getting fouled to put OP up 21-15. Powell would finish the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists. 

A basket from senior forward Anaya Peoples and an and-one opportunity for Nylah Wilson would keep the game within three points at 23-20. Kori Cole would spend a majority of the third quarter keeping OP in front with six free throws. Nylah Wilson would use a 10 point quarter of her own to get within one point as OP led 29-28 after three quarters. 

An early Osbourn Park turnover would lead to Knights sophomore guard Mycah McDowney drilling a three-pointer. The shot would give her team their first lead since they were up 9-7 in the beginning of the second quarter. 

Faced with a shift in momentum, the lady Yellow Jackets did what they have all season: put their foot on the accelerator. Alana Powell would find Hailey Kellogg for a three-pointer, followed by Danielle Darfour assisting in a Kori Cole and-one. Cole would finish 9-14 on the night from the charity stripe as Osbourn Park knocked down 26 of 33 free throw attempts for the game. 

The lady Yellow Jackets shot 26-33 (79%) at the free throw line. (photo via InsideNova)

Thomas Dale threatened to end OP's run when an Alex Brown block called as a foul awarded the Knights two free throws. They'd miss both, and Danielle Darfour found Kori Cole for another and-one. 

Darfour would hit one of the biggest shots of the night- a three-pointer off a Kellogg assist- on the Yellow Jackets next possession, giving her team a ten point lead at 42-32. 

"I knew I had to release it quickly. I knew the three would set us up for the rest of the game, so I knew I had to take that shot," said Darfour. 

OP would find themselves up 46-32 with just under a minute to go, capping off a 17-1 Yellow Jackets run over the course of six minutes. 

The rest of the game was a majority of Kellogg free throws, knocking down eight straight to seal the game. Kellogg would lead her team in scoring with 17 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a flawless 10-10 from the free throw line. 

I asked Hailey how it feels to once again be in the championship game. 

"It feels amazing to go back to the championship. You put into perspective that this could be the last game, and we want to go as far as we can. We all love each other- this is a family. We just have to lock in and stay composed. We’re ready. We want to get this championship and our revenge."

A 17-1 run over the course of 6 minutes in the fourth quarter led to OP's 26th win on the season.(photo via InsideNova)

I also caught up with Kori Cole who has scored at least 14 points in three straight games. 

"I'm so proud of us. From the beginning, we were counted out. No one thought we could get here, but we did. Coach Kelly- that woman is phenomenal. When it came down to it- I embraced the contact. Knocking our free throws down, the and-ones...that's what got the hype up."

I finally caught up with an emotional Chrissy Kelly who gave Thomas Dale credit in their tough style of play.

"They're good. That athleticism, speed, their intensity. That was hard what they did for thirty-two minutes. They're insane."

She also spoke to her team's second half 17-1 surge. 

Junior forward Kori Cole scored at least 14 points for the third straight game, including a 9-14 performance from the free throw line. (photo via InsideNova)

"They made that decision. This is a group that believes in themselves. They are the epitome of blue collar workers. They share in each other's excitement. They want every single person that steps on the floor to be successful- and they don't care who it is. They've taught me about patience, composure, selflessness. They've taught me a lot."

After hearing her team's 26-33 (79%) effort at the charity stripe, Kelly shared what she preached with her team about at practice. 

"As the season goes on, free throws will be separators. If you don't put the work in, it will cost us our season. I tell them stories of my experience and they take it all in."

Lastly, Kelly discussed the championship rematch versus James Madison and any talk of unfinished business. 

"I don't think it's unfinished business. You've got one day at a time to prepare for thirty-two minutes. We've earned the right to be here. The last three games my kids have worked really hard and deserve this opportunity to play thirty-two more minutes."

The Class 6 State Championship tips off Friday afternoon at 12:30 pm from the Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. The James Madison Warhawks (26-2) come in averaging 59 points per game and are on a 18-game win streak. Osbourn Park (25-1) is currently riding a 20-game win streak. 

For more on the lady Yellow Jackets, follow them on Instagram @OPHSWBB. 

Osbourn Park Bests James River Midlothian in First Round of State Playoffs

The Yellow Jackets celebrate their win over James River Midlothian in the first round of the state playoffs. 

(photo via Pierre Cannon)

After a week off following their Region 6B Championship win over Woodbridge, Osbourn Park hosted James River Midlothian on Friday night. There'd be no signs of rust as OP's locomotive powered through to a 59-35 victory over the Rapids. 

Yellow Jackets junior guard Danielle Darfour would once again be tasked with defending the opposition's best player. Last week it was Amani Melendez and this week it was the number one recruit of the class of 2025, freshman phenom guard Lanie Grant. Grant verbally committed to the University of North Carolina prior to the start of this season. 

Things got off to a rocky start as Darfour committed an early foul on Grant. The freshman calmly sank the two free throws. Despite the early foul, Darfour would never once be in foul trouble the rest of the game. 

Osbourn Park junior Danielle Darfour guarding James River Midlothian's Lanie Grant. 

(photo via Pierre Cannon)

Osbourn Park forward Kori Cole answered with a pair of free throws of her own minutes later, and Darfour scored on a layup to put the home team up 9-4 with 4:30 left in the first quarter. Lanie Grant would be called for a charging foul on the Rapids' next possession, and Osbourn Park wasted no time taking advantage. Senior Hailey Kellogg would find Kori Cole for a three-pointer to put them up 12-4 at the 2:30 mark. After one quarter, the blue and yellow would hold a 13-6 lead. 

James River Midlothian sophomore guard Katrina Scholtz drilled a shot from deep to bring the Rapids within three points at 13-9 to kick off the second quarter. Junior Yellow Jacket guard Alana Powell answered with a pair of free throws, and sophomore guard Angie Yaan sank a three to stretch OP's lead to 19-10 with 5:00 left in the half. 

Darfour would turn the ball over on OP's next possession and Lanie Grant was off the the races seemingly for a basket. Hailey Kellogg would never give up, craftily poking the ball out to prevent a score. Grant would get a measure of revenge with a smooth step-back three the next time up the court as OP led 19-13. 

The Rapids would put Osbourn Park into the bonus halfway through the second quarter. OP would miss the free throw, but Danielle Darfour snagged the offensive rebound for an easy putback. Darfour would finish the game with 6 points on 3-4 shooting with 1 rebound and 1 assist. 

Alana Powell would close out the half slashing for a layup as Osbourn Park led 25-17 after two quarters. Powell led all Osbourn Park scorers with 18 points on 6-9 (1-3 3PT) shooting. She'd also add 6 rebounds, 4 assists and go 5-9 from the charity stripe. The four assists tied Kellogg for most as well.

Junior guard Alana Powell led Osbourn Park with 18 points on 6-9 shooting. 

(photos via Pierre Cannon)

Osbourn Park was held scoreless for a little over two minutes to start the second half and the visitors began to close the gap. A 6-0 run via three-pointers by Grant and sophomore guard Alisha Whirley cut OP's lead to 25-23 with 5:44 to go in the third. 

While the home crowd grew nervous, Osbourn Park never lost focus. They'd respond with a 13-0 run capped off by a Kori Cole offensive rebound and putback, forcing a Rapids timeout. A Lanie Grant layup would break it, and Yellow Jackets head coach Chrissy Kelly immediately called a timeout of her own with 1:38 left in the quarter. Connections from Kellogg to Cole and Cole to freshman center Alex Brown gave OP a 44-27 lead heading into the final quarter. 

Yellow Jackets junior Kori Cole had another all-around great game, totaling 14 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. (photo via Pierre Cannon)

Osbourn Park's relentless motor on both sides stretched the lead in the fourth to as much as 25 points. Hailey Kellogg and Danielle Darfour would checkout as the crowd gave them a round of applause. Into the game came senior Chloe Wolf-Pullen who immediately made an impact with a block before the Yellow Jackets would spend the majority of the final minute draining the clock. 

After the game, Kori Cole spoke to her and her team's effort. 

"We are a big defensive team- that’s how we get our momentum going, Danielle did an amazing job on Lanie. We find our rhythm and the way we play and that’s when we open up those scoring gaps."

I also asked Alana Powell about what led to her success at attacking the basket tonight.

"We work hard every day. We work on contact finishing, defense, transition from both sides of the ball and it just translates to games. It's all about countering the other team's offense. When they have runs, we need to capitalize. It's all about composure and making good decisions."

Freshman center Alex Brown tallied 11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals on 4-6 shooting.

(photo via Pierre Cannon)

Finally I spoke to head coach Chrissy Kelly who was unfortunately experiencing some discomfort due to a cracked tooth she sustained in the second quarter. 

"I initially had felt something yesterday. I just chew gum really hard, and I felt like my tooth was about to come out."

Yet despite the excruciating pain, her focus never wavered in leading her team to a second straight state semi-final appearance. Before she offered insight on her team's effort, Kelly praised the talent of James River Midlothian. 

"Lanie Grant's composure- it's just wild how good she is. As a coach you sit back and hope you make every point she scores hard, but you also sit back in awe and appreciate how beautiful her game is. She's very smart with the ball. They had a cohesive aura about them in warm-ups. That's a really well-coached team."

Takes one to know one. Kelly then spoke about her team's approach tonight.

"I tell them, 'we're going to have breakdowns, people are going to score- but you can't get stuck in that moment'. Tonight we never got stuck in those moments James River made runs. They work this hard in practice every day. It's not unfamiliar when there's pressure for them. Staying composed is critical."

Monday's state semi-finals pit OP (25-1) against Thomas Dale (20-4) following the Knight's 47-38 win over Woodbridge. Thomas Dale comes in riding an eight-game win streak- but that pales in comparison to Osbourn Park's nineteen in a row. The irresistible force meets the immovable object as the Knights average 58.4 points per game and the Yellow Jackets allow 30.9 points per game.

For more on the lady Yellow Jackets, follow them on Instagram @OPHSWBB.