All season long Freedom senior guard Cameron Long had carried his team. Whatever the Eagles needed — a basket, an assist, a rebound — Long would provide.
That’s what made the aftermath of Wednesday’s Group AAA state semifinal vs. Highland Springs so painful for Long. In the biggest game of his career he had his worst shooting game of the season. And in the end, the Eagles didn’t quite have enough in a 66-57 loss.
“It hurts so bad because I just couldn’t find my shot,” said the George Mason-bound Long, who averaged 18.2 points, 4.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. “This isn’t the way I wanted to go out at all.”
Long made 3-of-17 shots and scored a season-low eight points for Freedom (21-6), which was playing in the state semifinals in just its third year as a program. But he did play well enough in other areas — finishing with four assists, five rebounds and two steals — to help keep the Eagles close. There were 12 lead changes in the second half alone.
The key sequence came with just four minutes left.Freedom senior guard Jaren Haley (game-high 24 points) drilled a 3-pointer to put the Eagles ahead, 53-52. But Highland Springs senior guard Brandon Rozzell (5-of-15, 16 points) shook off a poor shooting night of his own with a 3-pointer to grab the lead, 55-53. The Springers made 9-of-12 free throws down the stretch to seal the win and reach the state final for the second time in four years.
Eagles land
» Highland Springs (27-2) advanced to the state final at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Siegel Center. The Springers face the winner of last night’s second semifinal between Booker T. Washington and George Washington-Danville.
» Senior guard Jaren Haley made four of nine 3-point attempts. Junior guard Branden McLilly (10 points) was the only other Freedom player to reach double figures.
