By ANTHONY STEVENS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BRISTOL, Va. — What started out as the best game of the night quickly became the Brittany Allen showcase.

Richlands withstood a stiff early challenge from Lee High to notch a 73-55 victory in the Virginia Tip-Off Tournament at the Bearcat Den.

“Our first half wasn’t the best,” said Allen, a Radford University signee. “But we knew if we didn’t step it the second half we weren’t going to win.”

It was tied seven times in the first quarter and the largest lead by either team was three points. Jessica Crabtree and Mackenzie Arney led the Generals on a 14-2 run at the start of the second quarter as they took a 32-20 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first half.

“I was a little disappointed at that point,” said Allen. “But the main thing was we never gave up.

“I’m really proud of my team for making a comeback like that.”

The Blue Tornado wasted little time in getting back in it. Montana Hearl drove inside for a couple of baskets to spark an 11-0 run.

It was then back-and-forth with Lee High (6-2) clinging to a 38-37 lead at halftime.

Allen began to take over in the third period. She pulled up and shot from outside or drove to the basket to score or get fouled.

She had 10 of her game-high 29 points in the third quarter. The Richlands lead was eight points going to the final stanza, when they continued to pull away.

Post Sarah Compton also played well finishing with 14 points and making her presence felt in the paint.

“Compton had a great game,” Allen said. “We do a lot of screen and rolls. We’ve played a lot together and we always kind of know where each other are.

“All the girls played extremely well especially in the second half.”

Richlands (1-0) the defending tourney champions will play tonight against host Virginia High, which defeated Eastside 49-33.

The winner will advance to the championship tilt on Saturday.

Twin Valley will meet Clintwood tonight at 4 p.m, while Honaker plays Hurley at 5:30 p.m. in a consolation round.



at Virginia High School

RICHLANDS (73)

Hearl 2 0-0 4, Ashiq 1 0-2 2, Allen 9 10-14 29, Harmon 3 3-5 9, Compton 4 6-6 14, Culpepper 0 0-0 0, Rinehardt 4 0-2 11, Sword 0 0-0 0, Casey 3 3-5 9. Totals 25 19-29 73.

LEE HIGH (55)

Arney 4 5-7 14, Crabtree 2 0-0 5, Ely 6 5-8 17, Robbins 4 1-4 10, Medley 0 2-2 2, Rasnic 0 1-2 1, Terry 0 0-0 0, Garrett 0 0-0 0, McPherson 2 2-2 6, Collingsworth 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 16-25 55.

Richlands......................18 19 17 19 — 73

Lee High........................18 20 8 9 — 55

3-point goals – Richlands 4 (Rinehardt 3, Allen 1), Lee High 3 (Arney 1, Crabtree 1, Robbins 1). Total fouls – Richlands 21, Lee High 20. Fouled out – Arney, Medley, Hearl.