(Richmond-WSLS)-The Altavista Colonels were looking to put themselves into another column in the VHSL record books as just the 10th team ever to win three straight VHSL basketball titles.
They were battling Honaker for the Boys 1A title. They knew their opponent had size, including Tanner Robinette who had 20 down low for the Tigers.
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But coach Mike Cartolaro's bunch is battle tested--and it showed. Meche Maulbeck poured in 20 points, Demetrius Johnson had 12, and Juan Thornhill added 11 as the Colonels found their way to state gold for a third time. Altavista wins 57-44 to pull off the three-peat.
"These guys are great athletes--and historical kids--what they have accomplished. They turned it up when they needed to. And responded. We've had our moments when we have gotten beat up and down the floor, but I think they reached down a little bit and got a little bit extra for their last game, " explains Altavista coach Mike Cartolaro.
"Yeah--I think they gave me a little more space which gave me a better opportunity for a shot, and I took them," explains Meche Maulbeck, who scored 20 in the final.