Osbourn Park moments before tip-off.
After
winning regionals, the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets (23-5, 11-1) had waited a week to face Manchester (21-5, 17-1) in the state quarterfinals. Despite an unofficial homecourt advantage by playing at Unity Reed, Manchester came out victorious, 58-50.
The night would get off to a a bright start for Osbourn Park following a Jayel West steal. She'd get fouled going for a layup and sink both free throws. Moments later, senior
Region Player of the Year Alana Powell found fellow senior First Team All-Region forward Kori Cole for a basket and a 4-1 lead.
Manchester junior center Mia Woolfolk would score her first basket on their next possession. Her second basket at the 4:28 mark would give the Lancers a 5-4 lead, one they wouldn't give up until the second half.
Osbourn Park's Kori Cole had her second double-double off the playoffs with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Yellow Jackets would turn the ball over, and the Lancers immediately took advantage with a three-pointer from sophomore guard Rayne Wright.
OP sophomore center Alex Brown would find Alana Powell for a three-pointer of their own, but Manchester remained steady and ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 14-7 lead into the second.
Senior Lancers guard Arianna Payne got in on the three-point action with 7:23 left in the half to extend her team's lead to 17-7. Mia Woolfolk would commit a charge and give OP the ball back, but the Lancers would continue to add to their lead. Rayne Wright found junior guard Leah Hampton from behind the arc, and Wright scored three the hard way via and-one as Manchester amassed a 23-11 lead.
The Yellow Jackets fought back, ending the half on an 11-2 run with baskets from Kori Cole, freshman Samia Snead and senior Danielle Darfour. Manchester went into the half with a 25-22 edge.
Seniors Danielle Darfour, Alana Powell and Kori Cole played their final high school games Friday night, combining for 39 of the team's 50 points.
Osbourn Park kicked off the second half with a block by freshman guard Keyarah Rainey. It helped fuel a quick 4-0 by OP with both baskets via Alana Powell. It was the team's first lead since 4:29 in the first quarter.
Danielle Darfour's second steal-and-score gave OP a 28-26 lead, but Mia Woolfolk would continue to put her team on her back with offensive rebounds, putbacks, free throws and blocks.
Samia Snead handed out consecutive assists to Kori Cole that capped of a 10-3 Yellow Jackets run. Woolfolk would have 6 of her team's final 10 third quarter points. The 10-0 run was finished off by a Keileen Edwards three-pointer as time expired with Manchester up 38-32.
Alex Brown would unfortunately foul out early in the fourth quarter as Woolfolk continued her dominance inside. A basket of hers put the Lancers up 46-36 as Osbourn Park was forced to call a timeout with 4:11 left in the game.
Junior Manchester center Mia Woolfolk led her team to the quarterfinals win Friday night.
Manchester would soon after be in the double bonus. A flagrant would be called on the Yellow Jackets, and the Lancers' lead would swell to 51-39 with a minute to go. A trio of Osbourn Park three-pointers by Samia Snead and Alana Powell would be too little, too late as Manchester would continue to hit free throws after being fouled. OP Junior Angie Yann assisted on a Danielle Darfour basket as the buzzer sounded and Osbourn Park's season ended.
Kori Cole had her second double-double of the playoffs with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"We had a good season and I'm proud of us," said Cole. "It was disappointing to end it the way we did, but we left it all on the floor."
"It's not the way we wanted the season to go," said Alana Powell. "But I can't be mad because I go out to compete and have fun, and that's what we did today. Having such a young team, I'm just glad they bought in. Some of the best memories I've ever had are through this team. I'm more upset about losing people I consider family than I am the loss. I'll no longer be on the court with them and that makes me sad."
"I put my all in this game and even though the outcome wasn't what we wanted, I enjoyed every moment of playing with this team," said Danielle Darfour.
I caught up with head coach Chrissy Kelly afterwards.
"Mentally we were unprepared. The lack of mental focus puts us in positions like tonight. We got beat by a better team. Manchester was better coached and better prepared for tonight. It starts with me. The coaching didn't get it done. Every time we made a run, they countered. When we lost the discipline in the second half, once Alex went out- we were missing free throws and layups."
Coach Kelly reflected on her three seniors playing their final game.
"They were the ones who were mentally prepared. The young ones need to learn. This doesn't just happen. It takes a special group of seniors to get to this level. There's a different level of focus and understanding what it takes to win on the bigger stages."
The trio of seniors touched on their unique bond for the last four years- and beyond.
"They’re like sisters. They’re
two of my best friends," said Cole. "Our team’s bond and chemistry was like family . That’s
why we were able to get as far as we did. I’m thankful to have met them. I couldn't have asked for a better two co-seniors."
Darfour echoed that sentiment. "It was one of the best
experiences of my life. We held each other accountable and genuinely loved playing
with and for each other. I couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors."
Powell didn't let the result of tonight's game blur her perspective.
"These are my best friends. I’ve known Kori since I was five.
We came up playing in AAU. I met Danielle my freshman year when she didn’t even
talk. They are my ride-or-die’s. Not being able to play with them on the floor
is what’s crushing me now."
Cole and Powell offered words of encouragement they have for the younger players.
"Learn from this. See how we feel after this. Get it done next
year," said Cole.
Powell focused on fundamentals. "Every underclassmen needs to
buy in every day. They need to hold each other accountable. It comes down to
defensive rebounding, layups and free throws."
I'd like to take this final section to thank Osbourn Park for allowing me access to the team, even on a tough night like tonight. Thank you to all the players for their time, Coach Kelly for hers and her elite coaching insight. Her coaching staff was great to connect with as well. Thank you to Keith Laine and his entire staff.
Thank you to everyone in the Prince William County Facebook groups for the likes, shares and feedback.
Lastly I'd like to thank the parents and families of the players. It was a pleasure getting to meet you all- and sorry if I wasn't able to introduce myself to every one of you. I can easily see how these young women have been able to have all this success with such supportive families.
Catch you all next year.
For more on the team, follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
Feedback? E-mail me at sobrieno24@gmail.com.
