FAIRLEA- it took a physical and aggressive matchup with their biggest rivals, but the (2) Greenbrier East Lady Spartans have punched their ticket to the sectional championship game after beating the (3) Woodrow Wilson Lady Flying Eagles 70-58 in the Region 3, Section 2 first round on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
The stands were as full as they have been this season, and the Lady Spartans did not disappoint.
East got off to a good start even though the Eagles were attempting to avenge a 34-point loss to the Spartans back in early January, and although it was not that big of a margin this time, the Spartans stayed in front consistently from start to finish.
The Eagles did take a 2-0 early on an offensive rebound outback by Leilani Manns, but a couple possessions later, Kennedy Stewart got a steal and assist to Jada Waller who knocked in a corner 3 for a 3-2 Spartan lead.
And East (19-4) led the rest of the way.
Stewart cashed in two triples and Hannah Fuller had six points in the opening quarter as East held an 18-7 lead after one.
The Spartans connected on four 3-pointers in the second from four different players. Stewart, Waller, Ava Workman, and Mackenna McClure all had one each as East’s defense and motion offense led them to several open looks in the quarter. For Beckley, Dontra Burton showcased her quickness and Sarah Hopkins hit a 3 to try and keep the Eagles close, but East still clinged to a 35-23 halftime lead.
Beckley (11-12) went on a mini 5-0 run to open the second half which forced coach Jim Justice to call a timeout. After the pep talk, the East defense began swarming again and caused several Woodrow turnovers. Stewart hit two deep 3s and Walker got a couple more buckets. One of Stewart’s triples put the Spartans up 50-36 just as the Eagles began making a run again. After three quarters, East led 50-38.
As they continued to pull ahead, the Spartans got a perfect 6-for-6 free throw performance from Workman, key baskets from McClure, and six more points from Stewart and East celebrated in front of their home crowd.
Stewart finished with a game-high 27 points and 6 steals. She also went 6-of-11 from distance. Waller scored 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Workman scored 11 points, McClure scored 10 points and had 5 boards, and Fuller went for 8 points and 8 rebounds.
With the victory, East will travel to Princeton to play the no. 1 seed Lady Tigers this Thursday night, Feb. 22.