Prep girls basketball: Stonewall Jackson girls move on in regionals

The ball rolled around the basket a few times before finally dropping in for Ryan Jordan during the fourth quarter.  It was a play that typified Stonewall Jackson’s shooting night.

The Raiders had to overcome their struggles from the perimeter and fight for their points, but through their hustle and tenacious play found enough to keep visiting Franklin County at bay and win Tuesday’s Group AAA Northwest Region Tournament quarterfinal 60-50.

Stonewall Jackson (22-3) plays at Potomac (23-2) Thursday in the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. The winner of that game advances to the state tournament.

Jordan and Amanda Hinton were the difference, especially in the second half. The two combined for 29 of Stonewall Jackson’s 37 second-half points.

“We were able to come out in the second half and play as a team,” Raider head coach Diana Martinez said. “Ryan and Amanda stepped it up with great leadership. The biggest thing was we boxed out and got rebounds.”

Stonewall led Franklin County by just one midway through the third quarter. But the Raiders then took control, finishing the quarter on a 14-3 run that provided enough of a cushion.

Jordan scored six of those points on that run, including a 3-pointer. Hinton also added a 3-pointer that was started after the Raiders kept the ball alive and found the open person.

“Three-point shooting is something we’ve struggled with all year,” Martinez said. “But with Amanda we told her to keep shooting until they start to fall.”

Ryan Jordan led the Raiders with 23 points, while Hinton added 18 points.

For Franklin County, Charmaine Hairston had 13 points and Miranda Crockett had 12.

Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at 703-530-3911

FRANKLIN COUNTY (16-11)

C. Hairston 5 3-4 13, Crockett 5 2-5 12, Maddox 3 2-2 8, Hancock 1 2-2 4, Dudley 3 0-0 7, M. Brooks 0 2-2 2, Taylor 1 2-2 4. Totals: 18 13-17 50.

STONEWALL JACKSON (22-3)

S. Jordan 2 2-4 6, Floyd 1 0-0 2, D. Burns 2 5-12 9, Hinton 6 4-4 18, R. Jordan 7 7-8 23, Mitchell 0 0-2 0, Character 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 18-30 60.

Halftime: Stonewall Jackson 23-21. 3-pointers: Franklin County 1 (Dudley), Stonewall Jackson 4 (Hinton 2, Jordan 2)