Osbourn Park Chrissy Kelly convenes with her team during a timeout.
(photo via Helen Jones)
Osbourn Park and Colgan first played on December 2nd resulting in a 63-37 OP win. Things would not fare better the second time around for the visitors as Osbourn Park's second win in as many nights came in a 66-31 thrashing of the Sharks on Wednesday.
Things got off to an admittedly slow start on Tuesday versus Woodbridge for OP. That would not be the case in the first quarter versus Colgan. Sophomore Alex Brown's opening tip went directly to Alana Powell who raced to their basket for an easy 2-0 lead mere seconds into the game. Powell would then gather a rebound and get the ball to Kori Cole who would draw a foul and drain both free throws.
Cole would find Alex Brown on their next possession for a basket inside to increase it to 6-0 with 5:53 to go in the opening quarter. Alana Powell kept her foot on the accelerator, laying the ball in for two. She'd immediately steal the ball and score again. Colgan would be forced to call a timeout down 10-0 at the 4:58 mark. I caught up with her about her hot hand.
"We practice every day like we're preparing for the state championship. We take it to heart- that urgency, that intensity. We incorporate that into our practice and shootaround. Having that mentality and consistency really helps our energy from the jump."
Cedar District Player of the Year Alana Powell led Osbourn Park with 17 points on 7-10 shooting.
(photo via Helen Jones)
Powell's fingerprints would remain all over the game as she found Brown for a basket, then stole the ball again and scored. Colgan would finally break the drought with a free throw with 2:58 left in the quarter to make it 16-1.
Colgan junior guard Jaclyn Robinson would hit a three-pointer that helped fuel an 8-4 run to end the quarter with OP up 20-8.
After a brief rest, Alana Powell would return to hit another basket, but the scoring duties would be lightened by junior guard Angie Yann. Senior guard Danielle Darfour found the sharpshooter for a three-pointer at the 4:14 mark of the second quarter. Alex Brown would also link up with Yann less than a minute later for another three as OP opened up a 28-12 lead.
Yann would finish the game with 9 points on 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
"I had been in a slump. My teammates and my coaches helped talk me through it, telling me to not put my head down. Keep shooting because it would come eventually. I was on a roll and that encouragement kept me going," said Yann.
Chrissy Kelly discusses strategy during a pause in the game with junior guard Angie Yann. Yann would be a sparkplug off the bench for OP.
(photo via Helen Jones)
Powell would get in on the action from deep, hitting a three ninety seconds later. Yann wasn't done making an impact, as a steal of hers led to Powell finding freshman Samia Snead for a layup to increase the lead to 20 points. OP went into the half up 35-13.
Osbourn Park's swarming defense would continue to cause problems for the Sharks. Kori Cole would score a basket then steal the ball immediately and find Alana Powell. Powell then snagged another steal herself and found Jayel West for a hoop and the harm as OP led 42-15 with 6:40 to go in the third quarter.
A pair of free throws for Alana Powell would cap off an 11-0 OP run and give them a 46-15 lead. It was powered in part by freshman guard Keyarah Rainey's hustle. During the run she'd have a block that led to a basket, then an offensive rebound that led to her going 2-2 from the free throw line.
Despite her sustained individual success each game, the humble Rainey was quick to defer all credit to her teammates.
"We're just trying to get better by working hard, building off our mistakes and trying to be perfect. We were working to get to states, and I want to impact the game as best I can."
A three by Angie Yann would make it 51-17, then Colgan would finish the third quarter on a 5-0 run to make it 51-22.
Jayel West and Danielle Darfour surround Colgan sophomore Maria Barksdale. This was just one example of their defensive pressure, resulting in 14 steals for the Yellow Jackets.
(photo via Helen Jones)
A Jayel West steal would lead to her sinking two free throws. Her four steals tied Alana Powell most on the night. Keyarah Rainey would then grab her fourth rebound and outlet the ball to Samia Snead who found freshman Jaelyn Gorham for a three-pointer.
Chrissy Kelly would empty her bench with 2:09 to go in the game.
"I did a mass substitution early on and was managing the game, then their coach countered. It's like a chess game. We have to get the job done on defense. When our focus transitions to offense, it allows those runs by the other team. It's happening a lot and we can't have that."
One player I've noticed with even more confidence and improvement since last year is center Alex Brown. The sophomore had 6 points on a perfect 3-3 from the field, 6 rebounds and 1 block.
"We look for the mismatch and try to capitalize. I've had a lot more help from my coaches and teammates. I'm maturing into a bigger role as a leader on the team, and I just look to stay focused."
OP qualified for the state playoffs after defeating Colgan, but their sights remain set on Friday's regional final versus Gainesville Cardinals (23-3, 10-2). It's the two teams' second game in a week. The Yellow Jackets (22-4, 11-1) are 3-0 this season against them, averaging 62 points per game an allowing 32.8 points.
"We've got to focus on getting better on the defensive end. We have to capitalize on opportunities, possessions and collectively doing our job," said Kelly.
The game tips off at 6 pm Friday night at Osbourn Park.
Game Notes:
-The opening scoring frenzy would be the team's fourth game in a row with a run of 16 points or more.
- Jayel West would tie Angie Yann for second in points (9) and also added 4 steals.
- Osbourn Park finished with 11 assists, led by Alana Powell's 4.
- Through the team's current six game winning streak, Osbourn Park is averaging 63.2 points per game and only allowing 29.3.
- Senior Kori Cole added 8 points, 5 rebounds 1 assist and 2 steals.
- Colgan senior guard Alana Jones took a textbook charge in the second half that would be called a block by the officials. She'd laugh off the call, but from my viewpoint shoulders were square and feet were set.
- OP finished shooting 25-43 (58%) and 5-20 (25%) from beyond the arc.
- The Yellow Jackets shot 11-16 (69%) from the charity stripe to Colgan's 8-20 (40%).
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