NORTHSIDE – Janell Johnson scored 28 points including the first six points of the game, to lead the Arlington Lady Vikings to a win over Mandarin 42-24 to win the Duval County Middle School Girls Basketball Championship.
Arlington’s road to the championship included a defeat of powerhouse Kirby Smith in the playoffs; while Kirby Smith took down two-time defending champion Highlands.
So the Lady Vikings were battle tested this season. Their primrose path to First Coast High would show the capacity crowd in attendance just how ready they were for the ultimate challenge against an undefeated opponent in Mandarin.
The Lady Viking’s defense was relentless from the start and stifled a Mandarin offense that was very effective scoring all year.
Along with Johnson, Kiana Wilson shut down Mandarin’s ball handlers stepping in front of passes which set up fast break points for Arlington. Wilson scored 11 points and also had 10 assists in the game.
The Vikings team defense and Johnson’s scoring put Arlington up 6-0 just two minutes into the game.
Mandarin finally got on the board when T.Baldwin hit a 10 foot jumper from the right corner.
The score temporarily stopped the flood of points from Arlington at 6-2 in the first period, yet Johnson would immediately respond, driving to the basket and lofting a floater from the charity stripe while being fouled in the process.
The play would reveal what was to come for the entire game. Mandarin’s hard fought effort, and Arlington’s incredible athleticism. Athleticism would overpower effort in this game in many facets, first on defense.
Arlington’s diamond press completely frustrated Mandarin. The Hawks were unable to advance the ball into the front court on several occasions due to the active feat and hands of the Vikings.
The combination of Respess, Loskins, and Capers, complimented each other extremely effectively for Arlington.
One player would secure an offensive rebound, the other would deflect a pass, the other would block a shot, and they all knew who to get the ball to, the dynamic duo of Kiana Wilson and Janell Johnson.
Arlington’s athleticism revealed itself on the boards as well. Mandarin had taller players, which had given them an advantage all year in second chance points.
Mandarin’s E. Jackson, and S. Freeland held height advantages over Arlington. Yet where the Hawks dominated in their regular season contests (including a 35-1 point win over Dupont) they were unable to capitalize in their championship contest.
Arlington out rebounded Mandarin 2-1 in the game. Even their shorter players seemingly out leaped taller players for rebounds.
Finally, Arlington’s athleticism revealed itself in their hustle. Arlington dove on the floor for loose balls, stretched with all their might to clog lanes, and sacrificed their body for offensive charges.
It wasn’t case of the Lady Vikings wanting it more, as the Hawks showed incredible tenacity too. K. Cleveland and L. Pelsey never gave up in the game driving to the basket and fighting for jump balls.
However Mandarin was just unable to knock down their shots. Arlington’s Batman and Robin duo were just to much for them to handle as they scored seemingly at will.
Wilson and Johnson left the contest with one minute to play in the fourth to standing ovations.
Their play showed the entire county what local middle school basketball enthusiasts have known since day one of the season. They are two of the best players in middle school girls basketball in Northeast Florida.
In the end, it was two of the best players who led the best team to a title. After coming up short last year in the championship, Arlington had unfinished business this year and were focused all year.
” We were here last year and after coming up short we knew we wanted to comeback and win it this year” – Janell Johnson
” We worked very hard all year in practice and in games and it paid off “- Kiana Wilson
It was certainly a lot of firsts on the day. It was the first time the championships were broadcast across the country. It was the first time Mandarin’s girls and boys basketball teams both made the playoffs and it was the first time Arlington won a Duval County Middle School Championship.
