Their partnership ended fittingly with a 65-46 win at Xfinity Center in College Park that clinched the program’s first state title since 2002 and a 26-0 record — the only Maryland public school to be perfect this season.
“I came up with that [handshake] because our relationship over time; we’ve just gotten so close,” Green said.
“It’s just mutual love and respect,” added Jones. “It had to grow, it had to be nurtured, it had to get there. It did not start like that … just recognizing we both want the same thing.”
Green scored 14 points but struggled at times, shooting just 4 of 10 and committing 10 turnovers.
She took over late in the third quarter with the teams tied at 35. The senior emphatically swatted a shot on defense. On the ensuing offensive possession, she drove into the paint before dishing off to senior guard Delani Thomas for a layup.
“We’re a great team in transition,” Green said. “ … That’s what got us going.”
Early in the fourth quarter, she found junior forward Sara Yarnell for a three-pointer. Green finished with 11 assists and punctuated many of them by encircling her hands around her eyes to mimic goggles.
Hammond won the fourth quarter 24-9 to seal the victory. The Golden Bears got key contributions from senior forward Asia Mitchell and Yarnell, who scored 16 and 14 points respectively.
The offense, which shot 54.9 percent from the floor, ran through Green. That wasn’t the case in previous years.
One of Jones’s first actions when she became coach last season was to move Green to point guard. Even as Hammond went 14-5 last year, the two clashed. A conversation over winter break last season helped them understand each other and unlocked the partnership’s potential.
“I think, this year, I’ve become more of a leader,” Green said. “It’s been a long journey but … I’ve learned that we have to go and we have to get it and we have to be hungry.”
That potential became fully realized Friday. A late turnover by the Eagles (18-8) meant Hammond could end the game with the ball.
Green received the final inbound, controlling action one last time. She stayed in the backcourt, showing off the fancy dribble moves that impressed Jones two years ago.
As the final seconds ticked off, Green let the ball bounce away and began the Golden Bears’ celebration.