Taking nothing for granted: Top-ranked Millbrook not looking past Warhill in Group AA, Division 3 girls state quarterfinals

View larger image Millbrook's Alisha Mobley (34) goes up for a shot against Fluvanna's Millicent Williams during the Pioneers' win in last week's Region II championship. Andrew Thayer/Daily file

By Tommy Keeler Jr. - tkeeler@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Millbrook coach Debby Sanders has preached all season the importance of taking things one game at a time.

It was just last year that the Pioneers upset Greensville County at Virginia Commonwealth University in the state quarterfinals. That's why it's no surprise that the Pioneers won't disrespect a Warhill team that has a .500 record when the two meet today at 6:30 p.m. in the Group AA, Division 3 girls basketball state quarterfinals at James Madison University.

"We have to go in there and we have to be ready and expect anything," Millbrook sophomore Sara Mead said. "You got to expect anything at this level. For states it's a whole different level from regionals -- you got to be ready."

Warhill is a third-year school, which took students from Lafayette and Jamestown high schools. The team has six seniors who have been with the program since the beginning.

The Lions (12-12) finished fifth in the Bay Rivers District and were the sixth seed in the Region I, Division 3 tournament.

At that point, Warhill coach Norm Brungot said he noticed a change in his squad. They began playing more as a team and with a sense of urgency. They knocked off third-seeded Southampton (39-35) and then second-seeded Prince Edward (42-39) en route to the regional final.

"The last three weeks you could see that the seniors weren't ready for their season to be over," Brungot said. "They've really picked it up and played with desire."

Brungot said the Lions use up to 10 players every game and they also have the ability to employ different styles of play. They have several players who can play inside and out. Warhill can run or slow it down.

It's no secret the Pioneers will try to run like they have all season. Sanders said everything starts with her team's defensive pressure.

"That's our forte is to play defense, and generally defense is going to get you in transition for offense," Sanders said. "That's the best offense you can have is an outstanding defense, so we're just hoping we can get out and play good defense and play smart defense, and not reach."

It will be the first time the Pioneers have played at JMU, but having reached the state semifinals last year the team is used to playing in big arenas.

Millbrook (19-0) played at Orange County High School last week, which has a big gym. Sanders said she hopes the fans will continue to come and support the team like they did last week.

"We really appreciated it when we turned around and saw how full the stands were, and we're hoping that base will continue at JMU," Sanders said. "We've got the band on board with us, the cheerleaders, the faculty, the student body. They're just coming out in numbers. There were a lot of people from the community that aren't even affiliated with Millbrook that showed up [last] Saturday.

"I think that's a real tribute to us and we really appreciate this community coming out to do that."

Brungot said he wasn't worried about the long trip his team will have to make for the game. The team had to travel throughout the regional tournament, including several 2 1/2 hour trips.

The Lions were planning on practicing at The College of William and Mary to get used to the big-arena environment. While Warhill is happy with what it has accomplished so far, Brungot said the team will enjoy the underdog role.

"We're going to try to keep it close. That's how we've been winning games," Brungot said. "The games we won in the regionals in the closing minutes, the pressure got to some of those teams.

"We know we have our work cut out for us. We know Millbrook's a quality team, and hopefully it will be a good game."

The Pioneers have been playing some of their best basketball lately. The season was interrupted because of several snowstorms, and that may have helped Millbrook.

"It's always good to have that break," Millbrook sophomore Courtni Green said. "After that break we were so eager to come back and start again. We just wanted to start off on a good track and I think that's what we did."

A big goal for Millbrook all season has been to get back to VCU, like the team did last year. The Pioneers are now one step away and potentially just three wins away from a state title.

Millbrook, which was ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press Group AA poll for part of the year, has seven sophomores and two freshmen on the squad, and Sanders said she feels people are finally starting to realize the team's potential.

"It's hard to believe when you watch our kids that we're as young as we are," she said. "Most people didn't pay much attention to us last year until we got to where we got. And then we lost six seniors and they didn't pay any attention. Then here we are again and we're getting it done with all these sophomores. They're really starting to open their eyes up a little bit."