Graham Begins State Championship Run
February 24, 2009 By Denis Vass of Graham High School
Graham (25-3) opened the 2009 State 2-A playoffs with a resounding victory against #4 seed Greene Central tonight, winning 72-41. The Red Devils are attempting to make it back to their 3rd consecutive state 2-A championship game.
The Rams (11-15) controlled the opening tip-off and promptly scored to hold their first and only lead of the game at 2-0. Graham scored 8 points before a free throw by Tia Jones temporarily stemmed Graham's freight train. The Red Devils scored 11 more points and was ahead 19-3 before Greene Central put together a 8-0 run that spanned the final 2 minutes of the 1st quarter to early in the 2nd quarter, as they were able to cut Graham's lead to 8 points at 19-11. Graham led 19-9 after one period of play.
Caroline Enoch hit a pair of free throws to stem the Ram run, then Graham only allowed Greene Central to score 6 more points the remainder of the 2nd period. Graham led 30-17 at the half. Beth Miller had 6 assists the 1st half to go along with 6 points. Kiki Allen scored 9 1st half points. The Red Devils turned up the defensive tempo the third quarter, as they played the final six minutes putting together an 11-0 run the essentially ended any thoughts of an upset. Graham led 54-28 after three periods of play.
The Red Devils continued to press the forth period, and caused numerous turnovers. Their zone defense caused the Ram to resort to three point shooting most of the final stanza. Greene Central connected on 3 fourth period three-point shots.
Courdne Miles led the Red Devils with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Beth Miller and Kiki Allen scored 12 points each. Miller dished out 10 assists tonight, and had 5 rebounds and 7 steals. Caroline Enoch added 8 points to go along with 9 rebounds.
T.T. Pettaway was the lone Ram scorer in double digits, as she scored 12 points. Pettaway had 2 of the Rams 4 3 point baskets. Shonice Pettiway added 9 points.
Graham returns to action Thursday night in the 2nd round of the State 2-A playoffs against an opponent to be determined. |