MIDDLE VILLAGE, N.Y. – From face-guarding to the box-and-one, St. John’s High School (Washington, D.C.) shooting guard Azzi Fudd has seen every defensive strategy imaginable this season.
That hasn’t stopped the ALL-USA Player of the Year from torching opponents to the tune of 26.3 points a game.
That trend continued Friday at GEICO High School Nationals in the Cadets’, ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25, semifinal matchup with No. 4 Centennial High School (Las Vegas), Fudd scored 27 points, including two game-winning free throws, to lead the Cadets past the Bulldogs 63-61.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Azzi Fudd, St. John’s
Alex Cowan added 18 points for the Cadets, Eboni Walker led the Bulldogs with 18 points.
Fudd caught fire early, scoring 11 points in the first quarter to help the Cadets build a 20-14 lead.
Bulldogs guard Taylor Bigby hounded Fudd defensively and held her without a field goal in the second quarter; that helped Centennial claim a 35-31 lead at halftime.
Fudd didn’t score again until the 2:03 mark of the third quarter when she tied the game at 43 on a mid-range jump shot then Cowan’s three-pointer gave the Cadets the lead 46-43 lead.
The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead, 61-59, on Daejah Phillips’ three-point play, but Fudd tied it up on a short pull-up with 43 seconds left.
After Fudd sunk two free throws, the Bulldogs go-ahead three-pointer rimmed out.
The Cadets will face No. 8 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.) Friday at 10 a.m. (ESPN2) for the GEICO Nationals title.
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY
