THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503120444
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
One slam said it all.
It is a rare night that you will see any of the Nansemond River Warriors going for slam dunks.
So it was with one perfect Antoine Willie-to-Leshawn Pugh alley-oop that the story of Saturday night's 91-60 rout of Warren County was told.
The Warriors ousted the Wildcats in the state Group AA tournament quarterfinals to earn a trip to Lynchburg. Nansemond River (24-2) will play Liberty High (22-4) Friday at 1 p.m. at Liberty University's Vines Center.
Caroline (24-3) will meet Northside (20-7) in the second semifinal.
``I saw Antoine break and saw Pugh take off down the right side, and I knew what he had in mind,'' Warriors head coach Spencer Mayfield said. ``I saw them nod to each other and I said, `Here it comes.'
``I'd been wanting to do it,'' Willie said. ``This was just the first time this season that we had a chance.''
After witnessing the first half, nobody would have thought the Warriors would have the luxury of attempting such a play midway through the fourth period.
Warren County's Robbi Moose and P.J. Tanks combined for 30 points in a half that saw seven ties and five lead changes.
Willie, who finished with 35 points, produced an 8-2 run in the first half to give the Warriors a bit of breathing room, 39-31 with 1:36 to play. But the Wildcats (18-8) responded with their own 8-2 run to close the gap to 41-39 at the half.
``We weren't playing any defense,'' Willie said. ``We were letting them shoot and we were letting (Moose) come down and get the ball off.''
Tournament jitters had the Warriors a little off on their shooting touch and Montoria Valentine got hit with three quick fouls.
Still, it was clear at the end of the first half that keeping pace with the Warriors had taken its toll and the Wildcats were breathing hard. Nansemond River took advantage in the third period by outscoring Warren County 18-8 and taking a 59-47 lead into the final period.
Moose opened the fourth with a bank shot from under the basket, then Valentine started the rout with a layup. Nansemond River converted four Warren County turnovers and went on a 10-0 roll to open up a 69-49 lead with 5:44 to play.
Tank drained a pair of free throws and Moose got loose for an uncontested slam at 5:13.
Less than a minute later Pugh took the pass from Willie and Mayfield started clearing the bench.
Valentine added 20 points for the Warriors (24-2), Pugh had 10.
Moose paced the Wildcats with 26 points and Tanks added 15. by CNB