Hembree returns to final with Norcross girls

By Chip Saye

For the AJC

Angie Hembree laid the foundation for the Collins Hill dynasty that won five state championships from 2001-07.

Now she has another Gwinnett County school on the brink of a state title after her Norcross Blue Devils defeated Westlake 51-44 in the Class AAAAA semifinals on Thursday at Gwinnett Arena. The Blue Devils will play for their first girls state championship at 7 p.m Friday.

“It’s always exciting to be here,” said Hembree, who won championships at Collins Hill in 2001, 2002 and 2005 before leaving for an assistant coaching position at the University of Miami. “It’s always a great atmosphere. I’m really excited for them that they get to experience it and be a part of it.”

Norcross appeared in control throughout but led by only two points, 38-36, after Westlake’s Aisha Turner-Johnson stole the ball and made a layup with 4:14 to play in the game. However, Westlake scored only five more points, and Norcross made seven of 10 free throws in the final 1:25 to put the game away.

Freshmen Diamond DeShields and Kaela Davis and senior Briana Jordan were the difference for Norcross (27-4). DeShields finished with a game-high 19 points, including six consecutive in the third quarter as Westlake began to climb back into the game. Davis, who finished with nine points, made three of four free throws in the final 27 seconds to turn a 47-44 lead into a six-point advantage. Jordan also went 3-for-4 from the line in the final 1:25, finished with 14 points and was a steady ballhandler for the Blue Devils.

“I’ve worked really hard for this, and I’ve had to mature a lot this season to be a starter as a freshman on such a great team,” DeShields said. “It’s been such a big responsibility for me and Kaela, and [Jordan] has been such a huge role model for us this year. She’s helped us out tremendously this season on the court.”

Said Hembree, “Diamond’s on the boards, finishing around the basket. Kaela’s handling the ball at the end of the game and did a super job. I couldn’t ask for more from two freshmen. They don’t mind stepping up. They enjoy it.”

Norcross went on a 12-0 run midway through the first half to take a 23-10 lead. Westlake went almost seven minutes without a point, a drought that ended with Danielle Spencer’s basket with three minutes to play in the half. The Lions finished the second quarter on a 6-0 run and trailed just 23-17 at halftime.

Norcross trailed only once, when Shaniece Sheffield’s 3-pointer gave Westlake a 3-2 lead, but the Blue Devils were not able to pull away until the closing seconds.

“I was concerned in the first half because we were losing the battle on the boards, but in the second half they came through and got some huge rebounds,” Hembree said. “And we made some huge free throws down the stretch.”

Sharnea Boykin made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points to lead Westlake (24-4), which came in with a 15-game winning streak.