Freshman Sha’lynn Hagans lifts Osbourn Park against Battlefield
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Version 0 of 1. As Monday night’s Conference 8 showdown between No. 12 Battlefield and Osbourn Park got underway, it became readily apparent that nobody seemed to be digging the unfamiliar surroundings. The game had been moved to a neutral site at Manassas Park after some complications with Osbourn Park’s gym, and players on both teams struggled to acquit themselves during several prolonged scoring droughts. One player, though, took to the new place just fine. Osbourn Park freshman Sha’lynn Hagans was feeling her shot during the Yellow Jackets’ shoot-around before their five-minute bus ride down the road, and she had a hunch it would carry over to whatever gym this game had in store. Hagans propelled Osbourn Park to a 50-44 victory that snapped Battlefield’s eight-game win streak. She made 3 of 6 three-pointers for a game-high 16 points, marking the best performance of her young career. “I got in a groove before the game,” Hagans said, “and once I got on the court I knew my shot was going to fall.” Battlefield’s shooting woes dug the Bobcats into a 10-2 hole three minutes into Monday’s game. The Bobcats (18-2, 4-1 Conference 8) missed nine of their first 10 shots from the field and went nearly six minutes without a field goal. But they compensated with hounding half-court defense that forced the Yellow Jackets (11-4, 4-1) into turnover after turnover. Battlefield’s grit on that end of the floor allowed it to chip away at its deficit and eventually take its first lead off an Ashley Marchand free throw with 1 minute 24 seconds left in the first half. Hagans, however, proved Osbourn Park’s antidote for the occasional Battlefield run. The fearless freshman, one of four on the Yellow Jackets, drained a deep three-pointer whose soaring arc was reminiscent of a certain NBA sharpshooter. “When I shot that three I felt like Steph Curry,” Hagans said. “I had so much confidence in myself. There were some shots that didn’t go in tonight, but it didn’t keep me from shooting.” That triple gave Osbourn Park momentum and a 25-20 lead going into the break. Five minutes into the third quarter, Battlefield pulled ahead again, and this time Hagans responded in an even bigger way. She swished a three from the left corner, then followed that up with a steal, a layup and a finger roll. The seven-point burst put the Yellow Jackets up 37-33 at the end of the third quarter, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. “I love her energy on defense and offense,” said senior Ashlee White, whose steady handle helped Osbourn Park stall Battlefield late in the fourth quarter. “She’s the hardest worker I know.” Monday’s result marked Osbourn Park’s seventh win in its last eight outings. It also tied the Yellow Jackets with Battlefield atop the Conference 8 standings with two games left in the regular season. “We prepared more for them than any other team,” White said. “We just needed to execute and keep up our energy.” |