HIGH SCHOOL

Dangerfield hurt as No. 1 Blackman advances to state

Corby A. Yarbrough
DNJ Correspondent

MURFREESBORO – Blackman will be back to defend its TSSAA Class AAA championship. How healthy its best player will be on the hardwood in MTSU's Murphy Center later this week is another matter.

With a 75-47 victory Monday night, the top-ranked Lady Blaze secured another trip to state championships after defeating Cumberland County in a Class AAA sectional for the second straight year.

In the process, Blackman lost standout Crystal Dangerfield 4:30 into the contest when she twisted her right ankle under the Lady Jets' basket.

The reigning Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and Connecticut commit was helped off the court and spent the remaining minutes of the first quarter being treated by Blackman trainer Clayton Faircloth. She attempted to jog down the same baseline she was injured during the quarter break but could not go.

"My leg was planted and a girl came down and rolled it out," the junior point guard and two-time Miss Basketball finalist said. "It just twisted out. It's just an ankle sprain."

She remained on the bench the rest of the game, returning to and from the locker room at halftime with more of a hitch in her step than a limp. Coach Chad Hibdon said Dangerfield wanted to play and probably would have been 75 percent, but said in "any game it's not worth it," for her to return with that injury.

Blackman's Alex Johnson shoots against Cumberland County's Gina Dick in the second half Monday, March 2, 2015 at Blackman. Blackman won 75-47.

"I hated it," Dangerfield said of being relegated to the bench. "I was trying to figure out on the sidelines if I could go back in or not. I couldn't. (Hibdon) said, 'you're not going to play.' So I was like, 'OK.' I think I will be OK (for the TSSAA tournament). I will probably be rehabbing it all day (Tuesday) and the rest of tonight to get ready for Wednesday."

Blackman (29-2), the defending national champions by USA TODAY, MaxPreps and ESPN, was already up 14-6 when Dangerfield went down. Angel Allen stepped into the lineup for Dangerfield and helped direct the Lady Blaze to a 23-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and a 41-19 halftime advantage.

"I'm proud of her. Most people think that I would run the show, but Angel can come in and do just the same," Dangerfield said.

Allen had six rebounds, three assists, a steal, no turnovers, and two points.

"I think it's really my teammates because they are always picking me up," Allen said. "I'm a senior. I don't start or anything, and that's OK. I just come in and do what I've got to do and just win for my team; that's all that matters to me."

The Lady Blaze built the 22-point lead at the break by holding Cumberland County to 7 of 29 from the field and limiting the Lady Jets' second chances with 15 defensive boards.

On its offensive end, Blackman shot 13 of 31 from the floor and used 11 offensive rebounds for 17 points. The Lady Blaze also turned Cumberland County (26-6) over 12 times for 12 points in the first 16 minutes.

Miss Basketball finalist Alex Johnson, a MTSU signee, led all scorers with 19 points and added 13 rebounds. K.K. Williams had 15 points to go along with five defensive rebounds and four offensive.

Destiny Carlton led the Lady Jets with 14 points.

Blackman 75, Cumberland County 47

Cumberland County 11 8 15 13 — 47

Blackman 23 18 16 18 — 75

Cumberland County: Gina Dick 6, Victoria Lee 2, Alli Hyder 6, Mackenzie Iles 12, Courtney Smith 2, Destiny Carlton 14, Klaire Varney 5.

Blackman: Meme Jackson 13, K.K. Williams 15, Jazz Bond 10, Crystal Dangerfield 4, Alex Johnson 19, Angel Allen 2, Mia Greatrex 2, Jaleah Goff 1, Maia Vanzant 2, Taylor Freeman 2, Jada Hughes 2, Jasmyne Bunch 3.