Girls basketball: L.C. Bird's defense lifts Skyhawks over Patrick Henry (Roanoke), into 5C final

Now, following a 45-40 win over Patrick Henry (Roanoke) on Wednesday night, she's the senior leading the young Skyhawks (20-5) into a region final and into the state tournament. 

"It feels good to be able to go on that run in my senior season," Cushionberry said. "It's such a young team. Just to be able to play with my freshmen and to (try) to get a ring my senior season."

It didn't come without a fight. Hosting the Patriots (17-9), second-seeded Bird had to use everything in the tank to pull out the win. 

Entering the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks led 40-34 and did everything they could to protect that lead through the final eight minutes. Freshman Sasha Hodge ducked PH's best and held the ball as long as she could but the visitors had their chances. 

PH set up and moved in all sorts of directions in the last five minutes, doing anything to get points on the board. The rebound opportunities seemed endless but the Patriots couldn't get shots to fall, with Bird's defense standing strong in the fourth. 

Bird coach Chevette Weller-Evans is known for her defensive scheme, matching up man-to-man. Though her Skyhawks may be small, they sure are mighty. 

"I feel like we've always been the blue collar team," Weller-Evans said. "They just brought the mentality to compete four quarters tonight.

"We like the traps. We like to rotate. I like to see our girls communicate a little bit more, but I think with maturity and more experience, they'll continue to grow, and we'll be able to capitalize and fine tune those small things."

Late in the fourth, with under two minutes to go, PH cut the lead to 40-38. Bird didn't put up points in the final frame until it needed to, depending on that tight defense that's worked for it all year. 

But when the Patriots made it a one-score game, Bird stormed down the court, found freshman Imani Evans on the outside and she sunk it for 3. It was 43-38.

Kamari Simon was fouled twice in an effort for the Patriots to get the ball back. She went 2-for-4 at the line in the stretch, but got that cushion the Skyhawks needed. 

Boom. Welcome, L.C. Bird, to the Class 5 state tournament. 

"Kamari is one of my most consistent players," Weller-Evans said. "She's way undersized, but again, she doesn't mind going toe-to-toe with anyone getting on the boards."

In the first half, Bird turned it over on a few miscues, but still led 15-14 after one and 32-27 at half. 

A big difference-maker? Buzzer-beaters. The Skyhawks drained 3-pointers to end both the first and second quarters, giving them the lead at each break. 

"It's a tale of two quarters," Patriots coach Blue Cook said. "We gave up two 3's at the end of the quarter. (The final score was) 45-40. That was the story of the game.

"Turnover's weren't good, Laila Staples was playing her butt off as she has all season long, we wanted to get the ball to her more in the second half but the intensity from their defense, give (Bird) all the credit in the world."

Cushionberry said the entire season prepared her Skyhawks for moments like these — the ones where it comes down to the fourth quarter and one missed shot can end a season. 

Playing against the likes of Manchester, Cosby, Monacan and others, Bird's had close games, blowouts and losses. The Skyhawks are now seasoned and resilient and that's lifted them into the Region 5C final Friday at William Fleming. 

"We don't like the feeling of losing by 30 or even a couple of points," Cushionberry said. "I feel like it all brought us to this moment."

Evans had five 3-pointer's in the win, with her 15 points being a team-high. Hodge had 11 and Simons was right behind with 10 points. Staples finished with 15 points for the Patriots. 

Bird will compete for its first region title since that 2023 season Friday on the road. The Skyhawks defeated Fleming that season to get to the Class 5 final, so will history repeat itself? 

Only time will tell, tip is set for 6 p.m.

"It's just checking the boxes one game after another," Weller-Evans said. "It's indescribable."