Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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  • Surviving a Tornado... Richlands’ Eric Harris (4) dribbles past Abingdon’s Chaz Owens (33) during the Falcons’ 81-66 win Wednesday night at Richlands Middle School. Contributed photo by Darrell Lowe

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February 16, 2012

Falcons contain Johnson to claim semifinal

By JONATHAN GREENE Bluefield Daily Telegraph

RICHLANDS, Va. — Abingdon had a simply plan on how to beat Richlands in the Southwest District semifinals. Stop Devon Johnson.

In their previous two meetings, Johnson powered the Blue Tornado past the Falcons including dropping 40 points and grabbing 23 rebounds in their last match-up.

While Abingdon contained Johnson for only a short period of time, it was enough to pull out an 81-66 victory on Wednesday night.

“We knew Richlands has been playing extremely well,” Abingdon coach B.J. Lasley said. “I told Devon Johnson after the game we’ve played him now [three times] and we’ve never figured a way to guard him. He plays extremely well against us. He’s a phenomenal athlete.

“He’s a great young man and plays the game the right way. I wish him all the success when he goes to Marshall. I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”

Johnson finished with 31 points to lead Richlands, but the Blue Tornado fell behind early and were never able to get closer than four points on several occasions in the second half.

“It’s frustrating,” Richlands head coach Jody Fuller said. “I thought there were quite a few times tonight that they played with more intensity and they played with a little more heart than we did. That’s what made our turnaround this year is our kids have played with tremendous heart.

“There were times when they played a little harder than we did and they stretched that lead out early. We never could get over the top.”

Abingdon won the tip and scored first on a turnaround from Joey Blevins. Johnson answered with two of his four first quarter points to tie the game, but Mack Owens had two straight putbacks as the Falcons would not give up the lead the rest of the night.

“At this point of the season, we’ve already played them twice,” Lasley said. “Every body has figured out strengths and weaknesses of the other team. As a result, we knew what we needed to do. It’s no secret our focus was to try to stop Johnson. We didn’t succeed very well, but I felt early we were able to do some good things.”

Turnovers by Richlands helped Abingdon take a 22-13 lead after one and their lead grew to 16 midway through the second quarter after to back-to-back drives by Josh Hess. A three from Ben Brown though sparked a 14-5 run by Richlands to close at the half.

“Coach Laslay did a real good job preparing for us,” Fuller said. “They took away some of things we like to do and it took us a while to settle in with it. They was actually maybe the difference in the ball. We never could overcome that early [deficit].”

A jumper by Johnson started things for the Blue Tornado in the third quarter then Brown hit his second three to bring them within four, 45-41, but Abingdon was able to build their lead back up 11. Gabe Hunsaker ended the Falcons’ run when he found Johnson open underneath. Johnson would add another basket moments later as he went coast-to-coast sparking a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 60-54 after three.

“That’s the trademark of this team all year,” Fuller said. It would of been real easy for this team quit as a team early in the year when we started 1-7. That didn’t quit on the season and tonight they didn’t quit on the game. That’s not the type of kids they are and that’s why I love them.”

Mack Owens would silence the crowd at Richlands Middle with two three’s in the first two minutes as Abingdon began to pull away early in the fourth. The Blue Tornado would get no closer than seven down the stretch as several of their open attempts could not find the bottom of the net.

“We had Mack Owens hit some key shots again tonight,” Lasley said. “They kept chipping away and chipping away. That’s what good basketball teams do at this point. They’re not going to roll over or give up and we knew they weren’t going to.

“I was proud of our guys. We were able to get some stops down the stretch in the fourth quarter and did some smart things on the offensive end. Therefore, we were able to pull away and get out of here with a win.”

Mack Owens had a game-high 32 points to pace the Falcons while Hess finished with 18 points. Blevins added 12.

Hunsaker and Brown backed Johnson’s effort. Hunsaker had 13 points and Brown added 10. Just five Blues scored on the night.

With the win Abingdon will play Carroll County in the SWD championship game Friday night in Hillsville. Richlands will play Tazewell in the consolation game the same night. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.



at Richlands Middle School

ABINGDON (10-13)

Francisco 0, Josh Hess 18, Meade 0, Chris Sigmon 8, McKinney 0, Chaz Owens 9, Jansen 2, Joey Blevins 12, Hahn 0, Mack Owens 32. Totals 23 11-18 81.

RICHLANDS (10-13)

A.J. Johnson 6, Eric Harris 6, Ben Brown 10, Zach Johnson 0, Devon Johnson 31, Gabe Hunsaker 13, Ethan Deel 0, D.J. Flack 0. Totals 18 12-21 66.

Abingdon..........................22  21  17  21  —  81

Richlands.........................13  23  18  12  —  66

3 pt field goals: ABI 8 (M. Owens 5, Hess 2, C. Owens); RIC 6 (A.J. Johnson 2, Brown 2, D. Johnson, Hunsaker 1). Fouled Out: ABI, Sigmon.

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