THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 9, 1996 TAG: 9602090609
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Booker T. Washington's prospects of a 14th consecutive winning season got a boost Wednesday night with the performance of sophomore guard Russell Branch.
The Bookers are 8-8 with regular-season games left against Lake Taylor (11-6), Norview (9-8), Indian River (13-3) and Granby (9-8). Booker T. went 2-2 against those teams the first time around without Branch, who became eligible at the semester break.
Branch, who scored four points in his varsity debut against Granby, came off the bench Wednesday night to get 20 in the Bookers' 65-61 loss to Maury.
It wasn't just the points that inspired confidence in the Bookers' future, however, it was the way he got them.
His ability to penetrate and finish are elements the Bookers have been lacking. He also calmly drilled a long 3-pointer when the defense backed off him at the top of the key.
``I'm pleased with some of the things he's doing,'' Booker T. coach Jarrell Wilkerson said. ``I hope he's the spark that we need.''
Branch was especially effective on the fast break, which should encourage the fans who don't think Wilkerson's team runs enough.
``To run you've got the get the basketball,'' he said. ``We've got to rebound better. Running all the time isn't the key. It's how you go from defense to offense.''
The Bookers committed key turnovers in just those situations against Maury.
RESCHEDULING BLUES: When a winter storm hits and the roads freeze, who you gonna call? If you're a high school athletic director trying to reschedule a basketball game you call Dick Bowie.
Bowie, commissioner of the Southeastern Officials Association, has been involved in the rescheduling of more than 250 games this winter because of bad weather.
``I've never seen anything so surpass this,'' he said.
Just when Bowie thought the situation couldn't get any worse the power switch on his computer broke, forcing him to do the work with pen and paper.
Bowie schedules officials for 43 schools and every time he has to hunt down an athletic director it slows the process. Also, 35 of Bowie's officials work college games and that is their first choice when there is a conflict.
But as bad as things have been in Hampton Roads they can't compare with the chaos in Richmond.
``I'm not even in the ballpark with the guy in Richmond (Charlie Cloe), he's rescheduled over 700 games.''
THAT'S CONSISTENCY: When Maury clinched the Eastern District championship Wednesday night, it marked the fifth straight season the Commodores have qualified for region play, the longest streak in the East. Maury has missed making the field only seven times since the tournament began in 1968.
ANATOMY OF TWO STREAKS: Churchland has won five in a row after losing five in a row. Conventional wisdom would suggest the Truckers are playing dramatically better, but sometimes the difference between winning and losing is as simple as the opponent. Churchland's five straight losses were to Maury twice, Indian River, Deep Creek and Oscar Smith: Combined record: 51-15. The five straight victories were over Wilson, Norcom, Western Branch, Granby and Great Bridge. Combined record: 22-57. by CNB