NORFOLK – The Menchville Monarchs and Norview Pilots will contend for the Region 5A girls’ basketball title next Tuesday as the two top-seeded teams won their semifinal games at the Norfolk Scope on Friday.
MENCHVILLE 69, BETHEL 33
The Monarchs scored the game’s first 14 points and faced no serious challenge from Bethel in the opening contest.
Atiana Williams, Keylee Harrison, and Kiara Beal paced Menchville (22-1) with 15 points each. As the Monarchs look to defend last year’s Class 5 state championship, head coach Adrian Webb will be relying on players other than the team’s leading scorer Amari Smith (20 ppg) to contribute significantly.
“I thought that Kiara and (Ayame) Colson really stepped up today,” said Webb.
Smith scored eight points, six of which came on consecutive three-pointers to give Menchville an early 10-0 lead. The margin would stretch to 25 when Colson’s spin move and banker pushed the Monarchs ahead 32-7 midway through the second quarter.
Substituting freely, Menchville was able to play its full contingent of 10 players in the first half; however, the Bruins made their own 13-6 run to finish the first half and close the lead to 38-20.
“We went into a rotating lineup,” added Webb. “We need to get everyone (playing) time as we get deeper into the playoffs.”
Menchville was stubborn on defense, forcing Bethel into over 30 turnovers.
“We like to challenge the other team and put them in positions that are uncomfortable,” said Webb.
A pair of steals and outlet pass layups by Williams pushed the lead to 46-20, and the top-seeded Monarchs cruised from that point.
Jada Jackson led Bethel (13-8) with 15 points.
NORVIEW 52, WOODSIDE 24
In the other semifinal, Norview also relied on the power of its defense to force the Wolverines into numerous turnovers and poor shot selections, while running out to a 26-7 lead and cruising to a 28-point victory.
With the win, the Pilots are also guaranteed a berth in the Class 5 state tournament.
After scoring the game’s first seven points, the outcome was never in question for Norview (22-3). Woodside’s Chazlyn Dettor scored six first-quarter points, but her teammates were scoreless, and the Pilots jetted to a 21-6 lead, which it extended to 33-8 by halftime.
Kiyah Fitchett scored eight of her game-high 16 points in the second quarter, while Leyla Minor scored all eight of her points in the first. And even as the second-seeded Pilots upped their lead to 36 points at the end of the third quarter, coach Jon Wilson was already identifying areas of improvement from his team as they prepare for their clash with Menchville.
“We need to make lay-ups, defend, and get rebounds,” said Wilson, asked about the three keys to victory in the region final. “That was not our best basketball today – we can play at a higher level.”
Wilson was pleased with the play of Fitchett and Diamond Wiggins and noted that the Pilots displayed a “good team effort,” but need to “stay humble and aggressive.”
Dettor led the Wolverines (15-9) with 10 points.
