THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995                 TAG: 9503100235
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 20   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, SUN SPORTS EDITOR 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   55 lines

2 TEAMS ENJOYED THEIR MOMENTS EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T WIN STATE TITLES, LAKELAND AND FRANKLIN PLAYERS REAPED HONORS.

THEIR SEASONS ENDED a couple of weeks before they would have liked, but the Lakeland Cavaliers and Franklin Broncos weren't without their moments this year.

In what most of the players would call their most satisfying victory of the season, the Cavaliers topped the No. 1 team in the state, Nansemond River, which just happens to be their cross-town rival, on Feb. 7.

As Lakeland standout Sebastian Yates, who scored the go-ahead basket for the Cavaliers with 22 seconds to play, put it after the game, ``It's like winning state.''

The teams followed that game up with another thriller for the Bay Rivers District tournament that went down the final five seconds when Warrior Antoine Willie nailed a shot to lift Nansemond River.

It was Bluestone that finally ended Lakeland's season, but the Barons needed overtime to do it.

Although the Cavaliers were outsized by the Barons, they matched them shot-for-shot and rebound-for-rebound for four periods, but they didn't have anything left for the overtime period.

Franklin also picked Nansemond River to play its best against. Sidney Gainey scored 42 points, including a school and tournament record nine treys, in Franklin's district tournament semifinal meeting with Nansemond River.

The Warriors won on yet another last-second shot by Willie, but the Broncos took the game as a moral victory and carried that confidence into the Region I tournament where the teams met again in semifinal action.

This time the game wasn't as tight. The Broncos tied the game midway through the third quarter, but the Warriors responded with a 23-0 run to win going away.

Both Lakeland's Yates and Franklin's Gainey earned first team all-district selections. Franklin's Linwood Joyner was named to the second team and Josh Freeman was honorable mention. Lakeland's Brian Baker also earned an honorable mention. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Guard Clay Councill of Franklin High makes the cut during a Bay

Rivers District game against Lakeland.

Lakland standout Sebastian Yates grimaces as he shoots during the

regional tournament against Bluestone. The Cavaliers bowed to the

Barons, but their shining moment came when they defeated Nansemond

River.

by CNB