Why The Anne Arundel Championship Game Was Lit
If two teams play in a regular season game and the final score is 56-55, fans on both sides look forward to the rematch. The fact that the rematch was for the Anne Arundel County championship made it that much…
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Continue ReadingIf two teams play in a regular season game and the final score is 56-55, fans on both sides look forward to the rematch. The fact that the rematch was for the Anne Arundel County championship made it that much sweeter for the people that jam packed North County High School for the South River-Old Mill battle. South River got the win in the first game and felt confident coming into this one.
Old Mill was on a mission to win their fifth straight county championship and they did so in thrilling fashion, 59-57. A layup by Deja Atkinson with 4.3 seconds left provided the winning points for Old Mill in a game that was filled with highlights. If both teams win in the first round of the state playoffs there will be a third battle. Let’s hope that happens. This was one of the best games I saw all season and here’s why…
The atmosphere was electric. The girls varsity game was the last of four games so the gym looked like the entire county was in attendance. The halftime lead of 31-23 that Old Mill held was the biggest separation for the game. The teams were really locked in and competing at a high level, trying hard to take away each other’s strengths.
The first half shoot out between two great shooters was a joy to watch. Old Mill’s senior guard Destiny Galloway (unsigned) drained three long ones, all in the first half. Not to be outdone, South River’s junior guard Julia Fitzwater also connected on three of her own. At one point they traded them to the delight of both cheering sections. Galloway is still looking for the right college fit and the athletic Fitzwater is looking more and more like a solid prospect for the next level.
Watching Mikiyah Mallett emerge as the game went on was impressive. The junior guard has been solid down the stretch for Old Mill, but she was extra clutch in this one with 13 of her 15 points coming in the second half. With her team trailing 56-52 with 39 seconds left, she scored and missed the subsequent free throw but gathered the rebound and scored again to tie the game. She is a big, physical guard and she got stronger as the game went along.
South River’s senior guard Kathleen Sullivan put her team on her back to start the second half and set us up for the exciting second half that we saw unfold. She scored the first 8 points for her team to start the third quarter and killed any hope that Old Mill had of running away with the game. She had a game high 21 points and was a factor all night.
Sophomore guard Harley Herndon‘s attacking style is fun to watch. Her motor runs non stop on both ends of the court and really impacts the game. She scores, defends and sets up her teammates. When she fouled out late in this one it definitely helped Old Mill.
Deja Atkinson looked healthy and confident in this one, and that’s a good thing for Old Mill. She looked for her shot was able to get into the paint and cause problems for South River. She ended up in double figures and scored the game winner.