Playing his final game in Virginia Episcopal’s Van Every Athletic Center, senior Taylor McHugh didn’t want to disappoint.
With a trip to the Virginia Independent Schools Division II state final four on the line, though, his Bishops found themselves trailing by double digits midway through the second quarter.
That’s when VES turned it on. Sacha Kelleya-Jones finished with 21 points and was one of five Bishops to score in double figures as VES earned an 81-71 win over Walsingham in the state quarterfinals on Wednesday.
McHugh was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 13 points and adding five rebounds and three assists. VES (18-6) overcame a hot first-half shooting performance by the Trojans, who led by 13 on two occasions in the second quarter.
“I didn’t want to go out like that, this being my last home game in my career here” said McHugh, whose squad played for the first time since a four-point loss at Benedictine on Feb. 12. “In my head, I was just like, ‘It can’t be the end.’”
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The Williamsburg-based Trojans (24-6), backed by Richard Washington’s 21 points, held a 36-23 lead in the second quarter. Over the last three minutes of play before halftime, Bishops junior Kevin Quinn unloaded two 3-pointers, sparking a 17-5 VES run.
VES even took a brief lead before Petr Petachek scored on a transition layup at the buzzer, giving Walsingham a 41-40 lead.
“That was about as bad as we started a game all season,” VES coach Curtis Staples. “I’m just proud of the guys, especially the guys who don’t normally step up. … Pulling within one at halftime, to me, was a miracle.”
The second-seeded Bishops play No. 6 Millwood at Virginia State University in the state semifinals on Friday at 5:15 p.m. Millwood (23-9) earned a 67-66 win over Norfolk Collegiate on Wednesday.
Justice Kithcart poured in 18 points and seven assists for VES. With the Bishops clinging to a 65-62 lead late in the fourth, Kithcart drove baseline and tossed a high alley-oop over the basket to Killeya-Jones, who threw down a rim-rocking slam, igniting the crowd.
“It’s a huge momentum booster,” Killeya-Jones, the UVa commit, said. “They had to call a time out. It really demoralizes the other team, so momentum is the biggest thing.”
But the game wasn’t over. Walsingham, which downed 11 3-pointers, got a big one by Washington, who brought his team within one, 72-71, with 59 seconds remaining in the game.
But on the Trojans next possession, Washington dribbled the ball off his foot in the right corner and VES went on to seal the game from the free throw line.
“The game plan never really changed,” Trojans coach Billy Barnes said. “It was to be patient and hit the open man. I thought we got a lot of easy shots against them.”
Kithcart notched all nine of his free throws in the fourth quarter. Delante Jones finished with 13 points, while Quinn added 12.
VES entered having lost its last two regular-season games. It was named VIC Conference co-champions (with Blue Ridge), even thought the conference tourney was cancelled due to inclement weather last week.
“We’re just excited to go to Petersburg,” Killeya-Jones said. “We’ve got to handle business and we can’t have another game like that. We can’t dig another hole early, because down there, you never know what can happen.”
VISAA Division II
State quarterfinals
Virginia Episcopal 81, Walsingham Academy 71
WALSINGHAM (24-6)
Richard Washington 21, James West 11, Kai Brown 15, Mark Seaman 16, Chisam 6, Petachek 2. Totals 28 4-7.
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL (18-6)
Taylor McHugh 13, Sacha Killeya-Jones 21, Justice Kithcart 18, Kevin Quinn 12, Delante Jones 13, Sledd 4. Totals 24 26-36 81.
Walsingham 23 18 14 16 — 71
VES 14 26 13 28 — 81
3-point goals: Walsingham 11 (Washington 3, West 3, Brown 3, Seaman 2). VES 7 (McHugh 2, Kithcart, Quinn 3, Jones).
Highlights: Walsingham — Washington 5 rebounds, 4 assists; West 5 rebounds; Seaman 3 assists; Chisam 4 assists. VES — Killeya-Jones 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals; McHugh 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Kithcart 7 assists; Sledd 6 rebounds.
Next: Second-seeded VES plays No. 6 Millwood on Friday in Div. II state semifinals at VSU, 5:15 p.m.