King’s Fork has played against some tough defenses this season and in front of some hostile crowds. But nothing compared to Saturday against T.C. Williams.
The Titans thrived on their defense and their boisterous fans to beat the Bulldogs 59-39 in the Group AAA state quarterfinals at Robinson Secondary School. T.C. Williams advances to the state semifinals and will play Petersburg at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Richmond. Petersburg beat previously unbeaten George Washington-Danville on Friday.
Saturday’s game, delayed nearly two hours because of a power outage, was close for a half.
But T.C. Williams (27-3) overwhelmed the Bulldogs in the second half, beginning with a 14-2 run to start the third quarter.
“We had our chances to get back in the game,” said King’s Fork coach Josh Worrell. “We didn’t shoot the ball well and they forced us to take some bad shots.”
T.C. Williams coach Ivan Thomas said he knew if the Titans kept it rolling in the third quarter that the Bulldogs wouldn’t be able to fight back.
“If you let us go on a spurt and you don’t score, you’re in trouble,” he said.
King’s Fork (24-6) never recovered. It didn’t help that the Bulldogs’ top two scorers – Jaquon Parker and Jamar Wertz – struggled most of the game. Parker came in averaging 19 points in the postseason, Wertz 17. They were held to nine points each.
“They are very good players,” Thomas said. “I didn’t expect them to go silent.”
Together they made just 5 of 18 shots through three quarters.
“I knew their guards were quick and strong,” Worrell said . “And they did a good job of not letting us get open shots.”
The Bulldogs also struggled defensively for the third consecutive game. They had no answer for Titans reserve guard Travis Berry, who scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. He kept up his hot shooting in the second half, making two 3-pointers during the 14-2 run.
“We told them before the game who were their scorers,” Worrell said. “And they were the kids who still killed us.”
The Titans also got 11 points from Edward Jenkins. Joshua Jordan and Anthony Winbush also contributed with eight and seven points, respectively.
King’s Fork was led by center Jay Copeland, who finished with a team-high 15 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
T.C. Williams 59, King’s Fork 39
KING’S FORK (24-6): Wertz 9, Parker 9, Copeland 15, Patterson 6. Totals 12 15022 39. T.C. WILLIAMS (27-3): Winbush 7, Berry 22, Jenkins 11, Via 4, Jordan 8, Camara 2, Yates 3, Campbell 2. Totals 24 5-7 59. Halftime: TCW 26-24. 3-point goals: Berry 4, Jenkins.
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