Grafton defeats Millbrook 56-40 in State Quarterfinals. Story Update

Posted: March 2, 2013

By Rob Niedzwiecki

The Winchester Star

NORFOLK -- The Millbrook High School boys’ basketball team saw its season end Saturday with a 56-40 loss to Grafton in the Group AA, Division 4 quarterfinals at Old Dominion University’s Ted Constant Convocation Center.

The Pioneers (14-12) had trouble shooting throughout against the Region 1 champion Clippers (27-2), who returned 11 players from last year’s team that lost in the Group AA, Division 4 final in overtime. Millbrook made just 12 of 46 shots (26 percent) against Grafton’s tall and athletic defenders.

The Clippers never trailed. Millbrook forced a 12-12 tie on a T.J. Bruce basket with 5:49 left in the second quarter, but Grafton finished the half on a 11-3 run to take a 23-15 halftime lead.

Grafton built its lead to 35-22 after three quarters, then never led by fewer than 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The Clippers were led by 6-foot-7 Elijah Moore (18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals) while Millbrook got 14 points and eight rebounds from Cody Brooks, 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals from Rze Culbreath, and 10 points and two assists from Thomas Baylor.

Despite the loss, it was an impressive season for Millbrook. The Pioneers had not made the state tournament since winning the Group AA state title in 2008, but as the No. 7 seed they upset No. 2 Sherando and beat No. 6 Briar Woods in the Region II, Division 4 tournament to clinch a state berth.

“We did everything we could do,” Millbrook coach Scott Mankins said. “It stings right now, but I hope the kids realize pretty soon they’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at

rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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