PLAYOFF TIME IN MILLEDGEVILLE: Lady Trojans cut down the nets

The John Milledge Academy Girls took down Westfield School 44-17 Friday night in the Trojan Center for the GISA Region 4-AAA Championship.

Allie Osborn led the offensive charge for the Trojans with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The sophomore made her presence known on both sides of the court using her tall stature. Osborn had five blocked shots and five steals in the Friday night region championship. The second-leading scorer was Maggie Prestwood with 14 points. The sophomore added four steals and seven rebounds to her box score. Jordan Prestrige added to the rebounding effort nabbing four rebounds.

The first quarter was a slow start for both squads at 11-5. The first eight minutes showed both teams have a tough defensive scheme. There were a good bit of missed shots on both sides of the court which allowed for a plethora of rebounds. Come the second quarter the Trojans stepped up their offensive game as they netted 14 points to lead 25-11 going into the half. JMA took advantage of the gaps in the Westfield defense as they primarily shot from behind the arc. 

As the game progressed the defense from JMA kept getting more aggressive as the Westfield offense was not able to run a scheme. The defense played a full-court press defense which pushed the Westfield offense to counter without using a scheme.

Entering the half Prestwood led the scoring with 10 points and Osborn right behind her with nine, as JMA entered the half with the 25-11 lead. Coming out of the half the opposing team was able to make an offensive adjustment and run a scheme. The Trojan defense was too tight for them to get shots off. This third quarter was the most defensive quarter of the contest on both sides of the court as JMA led 39-15 going into the final quarter.

PHOTOS BY BAILEY CLARK – Maggie Prestwood, above, readies for a free throw on Friday night, while Avery Barton, below, helps cut down the nets and celebrate the region title following the game.

Both offenses took more shots from being the arc instead of driving to the basket. The JMA defense carried over from the third quarter as there were several blocked shots from Osborn and the other forwards. The Trojans finished out the matchup strong and got the 44-17 win.

“We really worked on playing inside out,” said head coach Jeremy Mayweather. “Once we establish ourselves in the paint then things open up for us on the outside. we have players capable of making those shots.”

Westfield came in last season and knocked JMA out of the postseason run.

“It feels great,” said Mayweather when asked how this win felt. “I was not here last year but I know how much it means for the JMA community to get this one back to avenge this loss. I also know how much it meant to the girls to be pegged as a young team…I know how much it means to this team."

The Trojans are back in action Tuesday, Feb. 15 for the first round of the playoffs against Westminster. They will play in the Trojan Center, as tipoff is still TBA