During the intensity of the Class 3A South Region I semifinal at Oakland Mills on Tuesday night, Mt. Hebron girls basketball coach Chris VanderVat found himself pacing anxiously in front of his bench. However, as the final whistle blew, his rapid movements came to a halt.
In that moment, VanderVat stood still, both hands on his head, completely taken aback. The tears glistening in his eyes revealed the joy and disbelief of leading his team to a remarkable 44-39 victory on the road against the top-seeded Oakland Mills, who were last season’s Class 3A state runners-up.
Now, the fourth-seeded Vikings are set to face No. 2 Reservoir in the regional final on Thursday. Reservoir secured their spot by defeating No. 3 Sherwood, 47-38, in the other semifinal.
“The girls showed incredible trust in one another from start to finish,” said VanderVat. “My love for this team runs deep, and that’s why I feel so emotional right now, as I know our journey might be coming to a close, regardless of what happens next.”
“These young women are extraordinary. They fight with all they’ve got. That’s the spirit of Mt. Hebron—we fight until the very end. We may not always have the most talent on the court, but we commit to giving our all in every game. I can’t fully express how proud I am of each and every one of them.”
This season, Mt. Hebron (14-6) managed to be one of only two teams from the county to defeat the Scorpions in the regular season, and notably, the only ones to do it on their home turf. In that earlier game, senior Anna McMillion suffered a partial MCL tear and feared her season was over.
Returning to the lineup recently, McMillion made her presence felt in crucial moments during Tuesday’s matchup. With 1:22 left on the clock, Oakland Mills senior guard Adey Alexander scored a challenging left-handed layup, giving the Scorpions a 39-38 lead—their first of the second half.
Immediately responding, McMillion sank a layup to regain the lead for the Vikings. She then hit a pivotal three-pointer from the corner, coming off a screen set by senior teammate Pearl Prasartkarnka.
With just 46 seconds remaining, McMillion held her fingers up, signaling for three, as she joyfully jogged up the court after what could be considered the most crucial shot of the Vikings’ season.
“Knowing this could be my last game with my team at Mt. Hebron, I knew I had to give everything I had,” McMillion shared. “I was all in—offensively and defensively. When I hit that shot, I was just over the moon. It felt amazing.”
Prasartkarnka’s defensive contributions in the late-game moments were exceptional. The experienced guard displayed her toughness, intercepting passes and taking multiple critical charges. The biggest of these came when she fouled out Oakland Mills’ standout player, Jeriah Shipp, with 2:27 left on the clock.
The Vikings surged ahead, leading by eight points at halftime thanks to strong performances from Prasartkarnka and fellow guard Michelle Nzelibe. Meanwhile, Oakland Mills struggled to convert open three-point opportunities, failing to score in the last 6:19 of the first half.
In the third quarter, the Scorpions (16-6) began to find their rhythm offensively, yet Mt. Hebron consistently countered their efforts, ensuring they couldn’t build a significant lead. Nzelibe capped the quarter with a spectacular layup at the buzzer, preserving the Vikings’ eight-point cushion leading into the final period.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Oakland Mills’ talented senior trio—Alexander, Chloe Grenway, and Shipp—combined for three three-pointers as the home crowd rallied them back into contention. It briefly appeared that their shooting spree would turn the tide in their favor.
However, the relentless Vikings, fueled by McMillion and Prasartkarnka, were determined to secure their victory. Both were essential members of Mt. Hebron’s state championship soccer team from the fall, proving their capabilities to perform under pressure.
Swapping their soccer cleats for basketball sneakers, this senior duo demonstrated yet again that they thrive in high-pressure situations, exemplifying the fighting spirit that defines Mt. Hebron girls basketball.
“I’m just thrilled that our season isn’t over, and that I can keep practicing with my team,” Prasartkarnka expressed. “I’m not ready to say goodbye yet. I’m incredibly excited about how far we can go together.”
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MH- 11 10 11 12- 44
OM- 10 3 10 16- 39
MH: Michelle Nzelibe 12, Pearl Prasartkarnka 12, Anna McMillion 8, Veronica Jensen 6, Quinn Keeton 6.
OM: Adey Alexander 11, Jeriah Shipp 10, Chloe Grenway 9, Hainsley Agyare 6, Chloe Jenkins 2, Alia West 1.
