Mullins sisters lift J.J. Kelly to Region D, Division 2 title

BRISTOL, Va. – It was a textbook sequence that will long be remembered by J.J. Kelly fans.
With nine seconds remaining in the Region D, Division 2 girls championship, 6-foot-2 sophomore Allison Mullins carved out prime position in the low post.

After two crisp passes and a forceful pivot, Mullins powered up a shot that kissed off the backboard and into the basket. Mullins converted the ensuing free throw, and Kelly held on for a wild 48-47 victory over the Lee Generals.
“I knew the ball was coming to me,” Mullins said. “I usually don’t do well under pressure, but I finished the play there.”

The decisive basket served as an exclamation point to a breakthrough performance for Mullins, who confounded the aggressive Lee defense for 27 points and 11 rebounds.

“We will all remember this one,” Mullins said.

The was the first regional title for Kelly (20-6) since a Group A state title run in 2002 might have offered taste of a glorious future. Ashley Mullins, the 6-foot-2 twin sister of Allison, supplied seven points and 14 rebounds.

“They are just pups right now,” said Kelly coach Robin Dotson. “We usually go as they go, but we’ve got a good group of girls that complement each other well.”

The game also served as maturation process for Lee, which started two sophomores, one freshman and two seniors.
The Generals (17-9) outscored Kelly 17-6 in the third quarter but never found a remedy for Kelly’s twin towers. Lee was outrebounded by a 40-22 margin.

“It’s tough to match up and box out against players with that size, but we fought our way back into the game,” Lee coach Stephanie Ward said. “Kelly just kept working the ball to the big girls inside There’s only so much you can do.”

Senior guard Jalan McPherson led the Generals with 14 points and five steals, while senior Chelsea Brock (11 points) and 5-foot-9 sophomore Morgan Miles (eight rebounds) also played well.
Lee recorded a drama-soaked semifinal win over Virginia High on Thursday as Makenzie Cluesman hit two free throws in the final seconds. After dominating the offensive boards in the third quarter, it appeared Lee was in position to record another landmark victory.

“We had lots of opportunities to come away with the win,” Ward said.

The final opportunity came with five seconds left. Just as Lee player went up for a potential game-winning jumper, Allison Mullins emerged to sway away the ball. The Kelly fans erupted in joy.

“[Mullins] hadn’t really stepped out of the paint all night, but she stepped out there,” Ward said. “ We had a chance to win the game. What more can you want?”

Junior guard Kaely Mullins supplied nine points for Kelly, including a 3-pointer that helped calm the large Lee fan base in the second half.

“I thought that was the biggest basket of the night,” Dotson said. “It seemed like we were dead in the water, but Kaely gave us some life and we started to belief.”
Mullins also played a starring role in the heroic sequence by Allison Mullins. She delivered a deft entry pass to Ashley Mullins, who quickly flicked the ball to an open Ashley Mullins.

“We had to seal the defenders up above so we could throw the ball from the point to the inside,” Dotson said. “Allison has tremendous hands. She caught the ball, pivoted and scored.”
Ashley Mullins credited the game-winning hoop to a deep bond forged from years of improvised basketball games with her
sister.
“We’ve been playing together since kindergarten,” Mullins said. “She just knows where to look for me when I’m open.”
Kelly will return to Virginia High next Saturday for a state quarterfinal game, while Lee must travel.

agregory@bristolnews.com I (276) 645-2544.