Richmond (WSLS10) - The VHSL state semifinals got underway at VCU's Siegel center on Monday. Altavista was taking on Galax in the boys 1A semifinal. The winner of this game would go on to play in the coveted state title game. Obviously the heavy favorite would be the Altavista Colonels. They are the two-time defending Group 1A Champs.
In the first half Altavista would come out and get shocked. They were outscored 22-18 and they took that into the half. A large part of that lead was Galax's Caleb Bartlett. He was 5 of 10 shooting from behind the 3 point arch for the entire game and finished with 15 points. But in the 4th quarter--up until the last couple of seconds, Altavista would claw their way back in it. The score would be knotted at 33-33 when Juan Thornhill inbounds the ball to Meche Maulbeck, and Maulbeck nails the floater-- as the buzzer sounds.
"The difference? The difference is they went to them horses. They are strong, I mean you got two or three division I ball players, football basketball--even on the last play. We said, we knew where the ball was going to go to--but we had to stop it," explains Galax coach Verl Brown.
"They are so good. Conley is such a good player and they do things. The frightful thought was them getting the last look. So, our best bet was let's take the last shot..and if we miss we go to overtime," says a relieved Colonels Coach Mike Cartolaro.
"I was debating on whether to shoot it or if they came up I was gonna pass it down to 'Twin'. But they didn't come up so i just shot it, says Colonels guard Meche Maulbeck, who buried the game winner.
Galax out rebounded Altavista 23-14, which could show up as an issue in Wednesday's final.
Honaker, the Colonels finals opponent-- much bigger than Galax. Galax's tallest player is about six-one. Honaker is much bigger than that and Altavista will have to overcome a height disadvantage again if they hope to grab state gold for a third straight season. The VHSL Boys Group 1A Final is set to tip at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.