AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCollins Hill proves to be the ultimate ‘team’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If it has been lost in the weekly Maya Moore praise and worship service, let’s be clear about it now: Collins Hill reigns in the girls game because Moore is part of a confluence of exceptional components.
She is the river, her teammates the tributaries. One cannot be without the other. It so happens that Moore ranks as the best player in the state, if not the entire nation, and her fellow Eagles players are strong in ways that constitute the ultimate team.
Thursday night, that’s what did in Stephenson, which had not lost a game all season. Moore was typically stellar — spectacular at times — and her teammates were equally effective.
And that was the difference, and has always been the decisive factor in the Eagles’ success. Moore leads and her teammates are not far behind.
While Moore did just about everything — she took a charge, had an assist with a beautiful touch pass, hit a fadeaway from the baseline, threw perfectly timed outlet passes — it was the play of so many others that ended the Jaguars’ season.
Start with senior guard Jordan Jones, who bombed her way to 23 points, all but two of them coming off of seven 3-point shots. Somehow, Jones, a renowned marksman, was left open beyond the arc and she continually drained the shot.
When a Jaguars rally moved them within 64-57 in the fourth quarter, Moore calmly pulled up for a 3-pointer and, after a Stephenson miss, Jones sank her seventh trey for a 70-57 lead. And that was that.
Along the way, so many others joined in the championship-berth win. Like Taylor Dalrymple, the 11th-grader who is crafty around the basket. Her offensive rebounding and inside scoring were pivotal early, when the Eagles had to fend off Stephenson’s early push.
Junior Nikki Urbizo was a stabilizer who had two key threes at the end of unselfish ball movement. Her selflessness permeates the team.
Also significant was senior Keda Richie, whose energy and toughness helped offset the Jaguars’ legion of athletic forwards. A player like Richie is invaluable. She does not require shots to be happy; she just plays smart and hard and makes the plays — strong double-teams, rebounds, etc. — that coaches value.
All that, and you can’t get away from one truth: None of it matters without Moore.
How’s this for a line: 26 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists. Further, at the end of the game, when Stephenson went to an all-out press, it was the 6-foot Moore who brought the ball up court.
Three years ago, these two teams authored an epic on the same court in the championship round. Boys or girls, it is one of the most competitive and hotly contested games I’ve witnessed.
Stephenson outlasted Collins Hill that memorable night, and it went down as a public service on the wonder of the girls game. It also was the one and only time a team from Georgia beat Moore and the Eagles in her career. How outrageous is that?
And here’s another stat to digest: Coach Tracey Tipton is 64-1 in her career. It shows how well she and her staff drill, prepare and motivate the players. The Eagles play as a unit, and it starts with Tipton.
But it’s sure nice to have the luxury of Moore, who represents the quintessential student-athlete: Smart, competitive, unselfish, winner. And here’s the rub: It also appropriately describes her teammates.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By cometfever
March 9, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
south is going to kick some eagle tail tonight. you heard it here first.
By Ernest
March 9, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t believe the final score when I saw it. The Collins Hill team is really special. Congratulations to the Lady Jaguars of Stephenson for their great season. It’s no shame to lose to a team like Collins Hill, which is #1 in the Nation.
By Proud Pop
March 9, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Oh my gosh Comet Fever, I believe you are suffering from a fever. Where you at that game last night to see CH. I’ve watched SG(and I’ve said it before on numerous occasions) they are good but not in CH’s league. Let’s be real about some things Crystal from Campbell almost beat SG by herself. Realistically if she had any “real” help SG would be watching the finals. Let’s examine this, who has SG played that is any good? Let’s not mention Mill Creek we all saw what happened to them when CH really wanted to play and didn’t just look past them.It’s funny that all year SG has only wanted to play one game not because of the loss in last year’s championship game. But because you guys haven’t played any other quality teams(and won, because you lost your first two against nationally ranked ones) you feel truly measure up to the standards,or league you believe your in. Honestly do you really think you(SG)would have beaten Stephenson last night? No way, Stephenson is too fast for you guys. Last night Collins Hill sent a message to everyone we are number one for a reason. Those girls have beaten the top teams in the nation….think about that for a minute. They have beaten more top 25 teams this year then just about any high school I can think of in any previous year, more to the point they have beaten more top 10 teams then any other high school team. Louis Williams and his SG team didn’t even fair as well with a national schedule like that(undefeated). CH poses too many match up problems for you guys and you guys are too small in the post for Taylor and Maya. Admit it, you too where amazed at what you saw last night and if you were not there last night, then I understand the comment you just made.
By cometfever
March 9, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
put it on the bulletin board, we will win. we’ve been practicing for this all year….
By cometfever
March 9, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
now if you’ll excuse me. I have to log off my teacher’s computer. A pep rally today… a parade on monday….
By mesue
March 10, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
Well cometfever where did you go?
Hope the pep rally was better than South’s performance tonight was. Guess you beter take another to practice, practice, practice!
Hey look at it like this - South didn’t just lose to the number one team in the state of GA they got beat by the number 1 team in the Nation. There’s no shame in that.
Congratulations Maya and all the Collins Hill Lady Eagles - you are truly the best and number one in the nation. CHHS State Georgia Champs and National Champions!!!!!!!!!!!
By thatsright
March 12, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Congrats to all the great players in the State of Georgia. Loved the article as we all know that Maya Moore is GREAT so many forget that she is part of a team that perfectly compliments her talents and many have thought trying to shutdown Maya was their key to success. This team may be one of the best oiled machines I have ever witnessed, boy or girls.
By thatsright
March 12, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Congrats to all the great athletes in Georgia you represented us all well. We all know of the greatness of Maya Moore and yet some forget that without the perfect team to compliment her the final outcome would have never been realized. Loved the article that gave praise to each contributer on the Collins Hill team as many thought shutting Maya down(or trying) was the key to victory…wrong! Over the past 15 years I have had the pleasure of watching many great boys and girls programs in the State of GA and never have I seen such a well oiled machine as this team. CONGRATULATIONS Collins Hill on making your mark in history in GA for being the #1 Team in the Nation.
By yaknowthatsright
March 12, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Congrats to all the great athletes in Georgia you represented us all well. We all know of the greatness of Maya Moore and yet some forget that without the perfect team to compliment her the final outcome would have never been realized. Loved the article that gave praise to each contributer on the Collins Hill team as many thought shutting Maya down(or trying) was the key to victory…wrong! Over the past 15 years I have had the pleasure of watching many great boys and girls programs in the State of GA and never have I seen such a well oiled machine as this team. CONGRATULATIONS Collins Hill on making your mark in history in GA for being the #1 Team in the Nation.
By youknowthatsirght
March 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Congrats to all the great athletes in Georgia you represented us all well. We all know of the greatness of Maya Moore and yet some forget that without the perfect team to compliment her the final outcome would have never been realized. Loved the article that gave praise to each contributer on the Collins Hill team as many thought shutting Maya down(or trying) was the key to victory…wrong! Over the past 15 years I have had the pleasure of watching many great boys and girls programs in the State of GA and never have I seen such a well oiled machine as this team. CONGRATULATIONS Collins Hill on making your mark in history in GA for being the #1 Team in the Nation.
By Missouri Maya fan
March 12, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bunn, I am writing to thank you for a wonderful article. I am Maya’s cousin from Missouri, so of course I think she is spectacular, but she is not one to take all the credit for herself. You found just the right words to say that as outstanding as Maya is, she is part of a team, and she is a team player. Thank you for giving her supporting cast some deserved attention. I loved the line about the “Maya Moore praise and worship” !!!! Thank you for all of your work.