Coach Janice Pritchett celebrated her 30th career court victory -- the most by any Lady Jags basketball head coach this century -- with a well managed, hard-fought game against Lady Colonials at Thomas Jefferson High School. The theme of this game was simply "the long and short of it" as the win was earned by a flurry of three-pointers and free throws.

The first half was a painful slog for both sides. Both teams traded three baskets and a few free throws and went into intermission tied 11 to 11. For Falls Church, turnovers and other errors marred most of their offensives. Sierra Kennard hit two "3s" and Amari Faust landed a nifty drive from the right for the only other field goal for Falls Church. The other pleasant Lady Jag moment was a first-time start for Madelyn Palencia, a second consecutive game decision by Coach Pritchett who started Sophia McCall for the first time in the previous game. At the end of the half, the coach took her team to the locker room and with the aid of Coach Bailey, they made the necessary adjustments to cut down the turnovers and improve the offensive production.

The result was a high scoring and highly entertaining second half. Leah Shaw nearly matched the team's first half production in the third quarter alone by swishing two "3s" and two other field goals, including an end-to-end drive and layup. Sierra Kennard also struck gold with her third "3" of the game (her conference-leading 14th one of the season) and Amari Faust landed another basket toward the end of the third frame. Nyeisha Thompson completed a 17-point quarter for Falls Church with two free throws and the frame ended with the green shirts up 28-22.

Leah Shaw landed the only field goal for Falls Church in the fourth quarter with a right hand drive, conquering the two defenders opposing her with her dominant height. To this point that shot was only the 5th two-point basket for Falls Church, matched by an equal number of extra-point shots landed by the Three Machine. This quarter -- and the game for that matter --was ultimately decided at the penalty stripe. Incredibly, a festive Thomas Jefferson HS partisan crowd spurred on the Lady Jag free throw shooters by renting the air with hearty renditions of several Christmas songs each time the Lady Jags attempted a foul shot. Falls Church well appreciated their holiday spirit and responded with nine more free throws in the final quarter [Thank You, TJ Fans!]. A final-minute banked "3" by the Lady Colonials was the only answer offered over the final three minutes as the Jaguars won this one by six points.

TJ has been a tough rival for the Lady Jags during the past five years, although Coach Pritchett's teams have now managed to come away victors in six out of the last seven meetings since the fall of 2014. This evening her two All-Conference girls from last season earned their keep as the Dynamic Duo of Shaw and Kennard contributed 60% of the offensive production, highlighted by five more "3s" between them (together they have combined for 25 three-pointers in just six games!). Amari Faust had a second consecutive sound game of offense. Nyeisha Thompson plunked in six free throws in the last nine minutes of the game -- which happened to be the final margin of victory. Defensively, Thompson, Shaw, Meg Verhagen, and Mia Pendleton were especially successful at out-rebounding the Lady Colonials.

With their season record even at three and their conference record even at one, Falls Church's next three games will be played at a place they have yet to see this season -- their home court -- where they will compete at the Joe Cascio Holiday Tournament.

Scoring Summary:  Leah Shaw, 14 points; Sierra Kennard, 9 points; Amari Faust, 9 points; Nyeisha Thompson, 6 points; Mia Pendleton, 1 point.