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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

Davie JV girls basketball coach Lamar Russell wasn’t giddy following a 43-38 overtime win over visiting Reagan on Jan. 27. But an almost-loss sure beats a loss.

“To be up 10 at halftime and blow that lead in the fourth kind of sucked, but I’m glad we came back and won,” Russell said. “We’ve had some crappy practices lately. We’ve got to get back to practicing like we were earlier in the year.”

One of Davie’s normal starters, Tasia Tarpley, was not on the floor when the game began. But Tarpley came roaring off the bench when her number was called and became a massive part of a revenge win over the Raiders, who squeaked out a 32-31 decision on Dec. 16.

Tarpley was responsible for seven of Davie’s 15 points in the first quarter, and Davie had a seven-point lead. Britany Hernandez and Kaylee Lynch helped Davie seize control.

“It was 0-0 for a long time and then Tasia comes out there and sets the tone of the game,” Russell said. “She was helping us get baskets whether she was scoring or assisting or making a steal. That’s the spark we needed. I’m proud of her for how she handled not starting. She jumped out there and did what she’s supposed to do.”

The War Eagles took a comfortable 26-16 lead to halftime, led 30-24 after the third and then tried to give it away in the fourth. After Tarpley scored in transition for a 33-26 lead, the Raiders went on a 9-2 run, tying the game on a breakaway layup that followed a Davie turnover.

Tarpley blocked a layup to keep it 35-35. After Reagan missed two shots, Lynch drove to the basket, the layup rolling off the rim as regulation time expired.

In the three-minute overtime, Hernandez’s free throw put Davie ahead, but Reagan answered with a 3-pointer.

After facing a 38-36 deficit, though, Davie finished strong and won going away. Madison Lewis scored off an offensive rebound. Lewis was fouled after a Lynch steal and hit one of two free throws. Lynch barreled into the lane, was fouled and split a pair at the line. Lynch blocked a shot, was fouled and again hit one of two. Carleigh Croom forced a Reagan turnover, Tarpley was fouled and hit one to put the game out of reach, 42-38, as Davie scored the final seven points.

Hernandez (15 points), Tarpley (14 points, nine rebounds) and Lynch (eight points, 13 rebounds) were the biggest reasons Davie (7-7, 5-3 Central Piedmont Conference) won for the fifth time in six games. Croom (three), Lewis (two) and Aubrey Speckin (one) had the other points.

“It feels good (to win five of six),” Russell said. “They’ve worked pretty hard.”