Mike Mathews
Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland — SHORT GAP, W.Va. — The Frankfort Falcons have been underdogs and on the road in every playoff game this postseason.
And that won’t change today when the eighth-seeded Falcons go up against top-seeded, unbeaten and three-time defending champion Summers County, owner of a 66-game winning streak, in the quarterfinals of the Class AA girls basketball state tournament. The game tips off at 5:30 at the Charleston Civic Center.
Coach Erin McKenzie’s Falcons have seemed to enjoy the underdog label, and she believes some at the tournament might raise their eyebrows a bit when seeing her team’s 8-12 record.
“We were never listed in the polls all year, and we’re kind of hoping they might see we made it and believe it was a huge upset and take us a little lightly,’’ McKenzie said. “Summers County is a very talented team, and I think they have won the state championship the last three years. They have some returning all-state players and are a very high-scoring team, seldom scoring less than 70 points a game.”
Summers County, 25-0 and No. 1 in the final Class AA regular-season poll, has scored 90 or more points 10 times and is averaging 86 points per game.
“The No. 1 thing is every possession that we get we have to be smart,’’ McKenzie said. “We have to at least attempt a good shot, because every single possession will count.
“Defensively, it’s about containing them and keeping them in front of us as best we can. They like to pressure you, and even on missed shots they’ll press fullcourt. It’s pretty impressive to be able to pick up fullcourt after missed shots.
“Our guard play will be key. We’ve told our girls to mentally get it in their heads that they will be pressured most of the game. They have to understand and see that now, and take care of the basketball.”
The Falcons head to Charleston with plenty of momentum, especially after winning at Webster County after a 4-hour bus ride, 47-44, for the state berth.
“We peaked at the perfect time in the season. All along, I told everyone we had the talent and were capable of doing a lot of great things,’’ McKenzie said. “Things finally started clicking at the end. The biggest thing is how everyone stepped up their defense. The girls have played better and more aggressive defense than I’ve seen them play all year.
“We’ve had just all-out hustle, and been really focused. Throughout the season we had some losses we knew we shouldn’t have had. The regular-season win at Petersburg, which was undefeated at the time, was a big win for us. That game gave the girls a lot of confidence and momentum.”
Saydi Whiteman leads Frankfort in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.5 points and nine rebounds per game. Maddie Shambaugh averages 9.2 points, Savannah Hose 7.8 points and three assists and Courtney Dolly six rebounds.
In the sectionals, Frankfort won at Petersburg 53-50 before falling to Berkeley Springs 52-50 in the final. The Falcons punched their ticket to the state tournament with the win at Region 2, Section 2 champ Webster County, which had been No. 8 in the final Class AA regular-season poll.
Frankfort’s last trip to the state tournament was in 2006. At that time the team, coached by Bill Cessna, was the first in 20 years to reach Charleston, and lost a heartbreaker to Magnolia, 60-59, in the first round.
Mike Mathews is a Cumberland Times-News sportswriter. He can be reached at mmathews@times-news.com.
