CHS varsity basketball team was all smiles after their recent win over Midlothian. Photo by Dawn Haun
By Scott Richards
CP Correspondent
The Caroline Cavaliers boys basketball team defeated the Monacan Chiefs 53-50 in the semifinals of the Conference 20 tournament Tuesday night of last week. Due to school closings because of snow, there will be no championship game. Both semifinal winners will go to the regional playoffs.
When tournament time rolls around, every team that plays and is the least bit successful steps up their level of play, allowing even the most casual observer to realize they are watching good basketball. Early in the first quarter, the Cavaliers pulled ahead to a more than 10-point advantage over the Chiefs, but both teams knew there was a lot of basketball to be played and both teams kept up an intensity that is displayed by those who do not want their season to end.
Free throws by Jaquan Monroe and Vondell Green gave Caroline a three-point lead, 53-50. With two seconds left, the Chief’s D.J. Peterson went the length of the court and at the buzzer shot a three-pointer that went into the basket and rolled out to give the Cavaliers the win.
Two aspects of the Caroline game were reversed in this tournament. Many times this season, the Cavaliers suffered from the one-quarter blues, in which they fell behind in a quarter that cost them later, usually making a comeback difficult, if at all possible. Against Monacan, the Cavaliers found themselves ahead of the Chiefs after the first quarter by a score of 17-9. This lead proved an asset, as the Chiefs never were able to establish any sizable advantage over the Cavaliers.
Another aspect that changed was the play of A.J. Derricott in the tournament, which showed the work ethic he has established for himself. One of his most consistent qualities prior to the end of the season, in addition to laying claim to the area under the basket, was his ability to get himself into foul trouble. Tuesday night saw Derricott score a second double-double in as many games, with only one foul in each game. His monster passion under the basket remained as he pulled down 14 rebounds to pair with 10 points and five steals.
“A.J. has worked on his game,” remarked head coach Antoine Johnson. “He is fouling less and is working on his footwork and positioning, helping others when he sees them in trouble.”
The Cavaliers, playing most of the game in man-to-man coverage, used their press to keep the Chiefs on their toes, as the close score kept the pressure on both teams. Speed was a large factor in the outcome as Monacan showed it could match Caroline’s fast-pace game, causing the Cavaliers to make the transition from offense down the court to defense much faster than normal.
Mark Loving was the game high-scorer with 18 points. As if that was not enough, the Doctor made a house call. For those who have watched Caroline basketball, when Loving gets a breakaway, the conclusion is inevitable. True to form, “Doctor Dunk” with his signature slamma-jamma drove the ball into the basket and rode the rim for an encore.
There were unsung heroes on both teams. Caroline’s guards put the pressure all night as the Posse (Myles Stephens, Jaquan Monroe, Vondell Green, Devin Carey, and Darius Young) controlled the floor. Monacan’s D.J. Peterson and Wallace Washington proved to be forces that had to be dealt with.
CAROLINE 17 11 13 12 53
MONACAN 9 14 10 17 50
Caroline (12–9): Devin Carey 6, A.J. Derricott 10, Shareef Gardiner 0, Vondell Green 6, Mark Loving 18, Jaquan Monroe 4, Myles Stevens 0, Darius Young 9. Totals: 22 8-17 53. Three point goal: M. Loving.
Three-point goals: Monacan 1 (W. Washington). Caroline 1 (M. Loving).
Monacan: Ryan Hammond 2, D.J. Peterson 13, Wallace Washington 15, Darious MacMillian 4, Garret Oguich 2, Nick Parks 2, David Peterson 8, Kenard Robinson 2, George Ross 2. Totals: 22 5-6 50. Three point goal: W. Washington.
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