When the Catonsville coaching staff left the locker room after the Comets' 55-48 loss to Milford Mill in the Baltimore County championship game Tuesday night they passed Milford senior Dionna White — and breathed a sigh of relief.
They knew it was the last time the Comets would have to face the Georgetown University recruit on the court.
The No. 4 Millers (20-1) rode White's 25 points to victory over the pesky Comets (18-5) at Towson University's SECU Arena.
The loss ended Catonsville's 11-game winning streak, while the Millers won their fourth straight after falling to Roland Park for their only defeat of the season.
"She's the best player in Baltimore County," Catonsville coach Mike Mohler said.
Assistant Rich Hunt also had kind words for White.
"I hope you have a great college career," he said. "I've watched you for all four years, and I'm glad you are going."
It was White and the Millers' fourth straight county championship and when they needed a big play, White made it.
That began with a running 28-foot bank shot at the first-quarter buzzer that gave Milford Mill a 20-14 lead.
It was the first basket of the game for White, who had three assists in the first quarter when junior Kierra Jackson had nine points.
"I had a pretty good look and I tried to shoot it off the backboard," said White, noting she practices halfcourt shots.
Jackson didn't play in the second quarter and White scored all nine Milford points, but they led only 29-24.
That's because Catonsville freshman Jasmine Dickey scored nine of her team-high 25 points in the first half.
Lauren McDonald also kept the Comets within reach with a nifty drive and assist to Dickey for a layup late in the half.
Dickey's putback with two seconds left in the half was the final bucket.
Catonsville's defense came out and forced two quick turnovers and fastbreak opportunities early in the second half, but the Comets failed to capitalize and Milford answered with a put-back by MacKenzie Pollard and 31-24 lead.
Catonsville got within four, 35-31, after a free throw by Renee Gast with 2:11 left, but baskets by Pollard, White and Taylor Bolden pushed the lead to 41-31 with 1:02 left in the quarter.
Andrea McTaggart made it 41-33 and set the stage for a physical fourth quarter that wasn't settled until the final minute.
Dickey (11 rebounds, 6 steals) scored 10 points in the final quarter, but White answered with nine points in the period, including 4-for-4 on free throws and a three-pointer.
But her biggest play came after Dickey's two free throws cut the lead to 53-48 with 1:18 left.
The 5-foot-6 White grabbed a rebound and dove to the floor as coach DeToiya McAliley called timeout to keep possession with 45 seconds left.
Catonsville never scored again.
"She has ice water in her veins," McAliley said. "She does everything during the game as it should be done, but when it's clutch time, she always shows up."
The Comets, who lost to the Millers in last year's county title game, also show up when they play the defending state champions.
"They always play you tough," McAliley said. "I will never sleep on them because they have a good coach and those kids are competitive as well. They have a lot of pride in their program and their school so they are going to bring it."
Scoring
Milford Mill 55
White 25, Pollard 10, Jackson 9, McKenzie 6, Bolden 5.
Catonsville 48
Dickey 25, Jen Gast 7, Barrett 7, Renee Gast 3, Wichhart 2, McDonald 2, McTaggart 2.