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4SHOT Sports 2006 Georgia State Championships Collins Hill looking to REPEAT! Moore out duels Phillips in battle of All-Americans The Gwinnett Arena – Duluth, GA In last years Class 5A State Championship Game the “Lady Eagles” from Collins Hill and their All-American Maya Moore dominated Redan and their All-American Porsha Phillips and a year later in the Class 5A Semi-Finals nothing changed as once again Collins Hill controlled the game from start to finish as they move on to the Finals and a chance to defend their championship. Redan started the game like they were ready to deal with the soaring “Lady Eagles” jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead; but that lead quickly diminished when Collins Hill’s 5-7 Jr.-Jordan Jones drilled a three-pointer to tie the game at 5-5. 6-1 Jr.-Maya Moore (4SHOT Hoops 2005 “Player of the Year”) is one of the top players in the country in any class and once again her performance on the court showed you way as she scored two quick baskets to give Collins Hill a 12-5 lead. Redan responded getting back to back baskets from their rising 6-0 Jr.-Anelia Murray (a 4SHOT Hoops pre-season Elite 50 selection) to cut the lead to 12-10. Even though Redan was only down two at this point I just didn’t sense that they had that same fire I saw in them last weekend in Macon when they beat Beach and Colquitt County and when 6-2 Sr.-Porsha Phillips (a McDonald’s All-American game selectee) picked up her 2nd foul with 3:49 left in the 1st quarter you knew they were in trouble. With Phillips on the bench Collins Hill started pulling away, Jones drilled her 2nd three-pointer and the “Lady Eagles” floor general 5-6 Sr.-Shantel Black (a 4SHOT Hoops pre-season Elite 50 selection) threw an alley-oop to Moore who went a little above the rim and laid it in the lead blossomed to 21-10. With time running out in the quarter Collins Hill got another three-pointer, this time from reserve 5-5 Jr.-Nikki Urbizo to give them their largest lead of the game 24-10 at the end of the 1st quarter. Behind the play of Univ. of Kentucky signee 6-0 Sr.-Amani Franklin (a 4SHOT Hoops pre-season Elite 50 selection) and Murray the “Lady Raiders” rekindled their fire and started challenging the defending Class 5A Champions. But it seemed like every time Redan had a chance to cut the lead to within 4 points they would take a bad shot or turn the ball over and Collins Hill would capitalize on the other end. Jordan Jones ended a good shooting half for Collins Hill as she drained her 3rd three-pointer of the game to give the “Lady Eagles” a 37-27 halftime lead. Redan opened the 3rd quarter with the fire they should have started the game with, especially Phillips. Her turn around jumper cut the lead to 37-33 (within 4 points again). Once again they had a chance to get even closer but failed to score on three straight trips down the court. Moore’s tip-in with just under 1:00 minute to go in the 3rd quarter made the score 43-37; Phillips responded with a basket to make it 43-39 but with just :07 seconds on the clock she picked up her 3rd personal foul. Jones would hit 1 of 2 free-throws to give the “Lady Eagles” a 44-39 lead heading into the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter Moore stepped up her game scoring inside and out; at one point she scored 6 straight points to give Collins Hill a 9-point cushion 52-43 with 5:55 to play. Redan still was right there but the fight just didn’t appear to be there and when Phillips picked up her 4th foul it pretty much signaled the end of their season. With just under 4:00 minutes to play Moore and teammate 6-2 Sr.-Brittany Cade (a 4SHOT Hoops pre-season Elite 50 selection) started totally seizing control of the boards and the game. Down the stretch Redan’s shot selections and turnovers just killed them; Moore scored 13 points in the quarter and Collins Hill for the second year in a row ended Redan’s season with a 62-45 win. Collins Hill will now defend their crown as they take on South Gwinnett in the Class 5A Championship. Scoring Recap Collins Hill: Maya Moore scored a game high 28 points and pulled down 9 rebounds to lead the “Lady Eagles”. Jordan Jones scored 10 points (3 three-pointers), Brittany Cade added 6 points and 7 rebounds and Shantel Black chipped in with 6 points and several assists. Redan: Porsha Phillips and Anelia Murray each scored 13 points to pace Redan. Phillips also pulled down 9 rebounds. Amani Franklin finished with 10 points. © Copyright 2006 by 4SHOT Sports |