Norfolk Collegiate’s season – and star She’la White’s illustrious career – came to a disappointing conclusion Saturday night in Fairfax.
Paul VI defeated Norfolk Collegiate 73-69 in the VIS Division I championship game. The Oaks (26-3) were playing for their first state title.
For White, it was a rare off night, although she made some big shots late to keep the Oaks alive and finished with 22 points. She was 9 of 29 from the field, and her pull-up 3-pointer from the left wing with 4.6 seconds left pulled Norfolk Collegiate within 70-69.
“It just wasn’t going well,” White said. “I just had to keep doing what I do and keep my head up. The first half my shot wasn’t falling, so I came out in the second half with a different attitude for the rest of the game. It just happens.”
The Panthers (19-13) used a defensive strategy that Norfolk Collegiate had seen before, running two and three defenders at White. Paul VI’s Denae Hill was on White most of the night and scored a game-high 23 points of her own.
“The teams that have been successful ran two players at her and were real physical with her,” Oaks coach Suzanne Midkiff said, referring to games against Wilson and Walsingham (both losses). “They basically just worked to wear her out.”
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Foul talk
Midkiff and White weren’t happy with the officiating, and neither were many of Norfolk Collegiate fans.
Two starters – Mary Kelly and Margeaux Byrd - fouled out, and another starter, Markell Smith finished with four fouls.
“I just think we kind of got frustrated with the officials and the calls,” White said. “We’re not supposed to get frustrated but we did.”
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Saying goodbye
White, a senior, leaves as one of the best high school girls basketball players ever to come out of South Hampton Roads.
She played for two seasons at Wilson High in Portsmouth before heading to Norfolk Collegiate for her final two years.
Her credentials include a scholarship to North Carolina and a spot in the McDonald’s All-American basketball game next month in Milwaukee. No other area girl has played in the prestigious event.
“It’s been great,” White said. “I would’ve like to win a state (championship), but it didn’t happen. My high school career, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs but overall it’s been good, it’s been fun.”
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Tourney MVP
Although White dominated in the tournament, scoring 92 points in three games, Paul VI’s Blair Koniszewski was named MVP. Konisewski scored 16 points Saturday and was 9 of 9 from the free-throw line. She drained six free throws in the final period.
-- Jami Frankenberry
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