It's difficult imagining Western, one of the area's most dominant programs over the last 20 years, looking for respect. But that's how the No. 5-ranked Doves have been feeling most of the season.
Their crusade is heading to a familiar place -- the state semifinals. They advanced once again, defeating Dulaney, 65-53, for the Class 4A North region title at Dunbar last night.
For the sixth time in seven seasons, Western will be making a semifinal appearance, playing the West region champ at UMBC on Thursday.
Crystal Falline and Lillian Drumgold each scored 15 points for Western. Valerie Andersen led Dulaney (17-6) with a game-high 19 points, and Katie Kilgalen added 11.
With former Western standout Chanel Wright (now at North Carolina) in the stands, the Doves (23-3) extended their winning streak to 18 games, but doing so didn't come easily. The Lions refused to wilt against the quicker Doves, pulling within 56-47 with 3: 12 left on a three-pointer by Katie Curran (13 points).
The Doves scored the next five points -- a jumper by Drumgold and three free throws by Joy Gorham to push the advantage to 61-47 with 1: 33 remaining.
"We did what we had to do," said Western coach Artie Uhlich. "Whenever they made a run we were able to respond just enough. They're a real good three-point shooting team."
Falline paced Western to a 36-23 halftime lead by scoring 10 points. She had six in the first quarter as Western led 17-11.
In the third quarter, Gorham picked up the scoring pace with six as the Doves extended the lead to 17 at 50-33, but the Lions fought back, scoring 16 of the next 22 points to pull within nine.
"I couldn't be happier with our performance," said Dulaney coach Nancy Woodside. "We wanted to take away their inside-out game, and we did the best we could."
Class 1A South
Brunswick 60, Oakland Mills 55: Brunswick (16-8) -- led by Jamie Cable with 16 -- went 12-for-22 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to edge the Scorpions (10-13) in Class 1A South semifinal action.
Tasha Brooks and Heather Romich led Oakland Mills with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Oakland Mills led by one point at the half -- 27-26 -- until Brunswick outscored the Scorpions, 22-14.
Pub Date: 3/06/99