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.
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.
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."
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.
"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.
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