Blackman’s Crystal Dangerfield (32) goes for a shot during the Region 4-AAA girls basketball semifinal game against Riverdale, on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at La Vergne. (Photo: Helen Comer, Daily News Journal)
LA VERGNE, Tenn. — UConn-bound Crystal Dangerfield played her last game for Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) on Monday night, closing out one of the most storied careers in Tennessee high school basketball.
Blackman’s quest for a third consecutive Class AAA state championship ended at the hands of Riverdale in a Region 4-AAA semifinal 73-66. Blackman, which finished 27-4 and entered the week at No. 13 in the Super 25, had beaten Riverdale seven consecutive times over the past three seasons.
Dangerfield, ranked as the No. 1 point guard in the Class of 2016 and an American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason selection, finished with 20 points.
“It’s tough because personally we haven’t stopped this short in the four years that I’ve been here,” Dangerfield said of the loss. “But out of the last four years this has probably been the best year as far as character and the team working so hard.”
Blackman is a two-time Gatorade state player of the year and could win a third, was named the state’s Miss Basketball last season and could win that honor again as well. She also won a gold medal for Team USA last summer.
Contributing: Tom Kreager, Daily News Journal