Titans Defeat Robinson, Earn Berth in State Tournament

The T.C. Williams Titans girls basketball team will play on.

The Titans defeated the Robinson Rams 58-52 on Friday evening in the Northern Region semifinal to earn a berth in the state tournament. But before that, T.C. Williams will face West Springfield in the region final on Monday.

The Titans and Rams used the majority of the first quarter to get acquainted to each other’s style of play.

The Titans were led early by Jasmine Norman’s six points, while Gabby Moss and Kristen Roberts added three apiece. For the Rams, Dhyamond Crenshaw led in scoring with six, followed by Megan Green’s four points. At the end of a competitive first quarter, T.C. Williams led 18-15.

In the second quarter, the teams pressed each other on defense, keeping a conservative offensive scheme. T.C. Williams stayed on top, doing just enough to keep Robinson from taking the lead. Again, Norman led the Titans offensively with nine second-quarter points. Natalie Nohra scored four for the Rams. As the second quarter came to a close, T.C. Williams clung to a 31-29 lead.

Both teams struggled to find the basket in the third. Robinson couldn’t find the momentum shift it needed to take the lead. The Titans controlled the quarter, although they only led by four as it came to a close. Roberts had an impressive quarter, scoring 10 of the Titans’ 12 points. She also contributed a steal and two blocks. T.C. Williams led 43-39 at the end of the third.

With only one quarter standing between them and a spot in the finals, the Titans knew that the Rams would give them all they could handle down the stretch. The final minutes did not disappoint.

With 5:12 remaining in the game, Robinson grabbed its first lead of the game, 44-43, on a Tyler Hansen bucket. The basket signaled the beginning of a memorable finish.

Both teams traded the lead for the remainder of the contest, with free throws ultimately determining the outcome. In the final minutes, the Titans  converted 10 out of 12 free throws, giving them the cushion they needed. After an emotional, hard-fought quarter, T.C. Williams prevailed 58-52.

“It was disappointing to get this close and not get over that last hurdle. I was real proud of the kids, a really good season.” said Robinson coach T.J. Dade.

 T.C. Williams will face West Springfield Monday evening in the Northern Region final. The two teams met on Feb. 18, with West Springfield coming away with a 64-50 victory.

“We finished third but proved to everybody that we were higher than that. We wanted to keep going. We didn’t want our season to be over with. That’s what we stressed every day at practice,” said Titans coach Kesha Walton.

“Win or go home. We get excited: This is what it is about. I told [the team] ‘You want it; it’s there for you to take it. No matter what place you finish.’”