THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 1994 TAG: 9410120576
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOHN GORDON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Jocelyn ``Bunny'' Williams wasn't the leading scorer or rebounder in any of Nansemond River's games last week. Still, that didn't stop coach Sandra McCray from tabbing the 5-8 freshman as her key player in those games.
It was not an easy choice, because Nansemond River is loaded with talent.
Including Angie Gatlin, who had 15 points and 16 rebounds in the Warriors' 52-20 rout of Smithfield.
And Jannie Porter, whose eight fourth-quarter points rallied the Warriors past Poquoson, 44-40.
But Williams' tenacious defense and steady all-around play singled her out as The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star girls athlete of the week.
``I've got a wealth of talented underclassmen,'' said McCray, who is in her 21st year of coaching. ``Most of them played JV last year, but I could have used her (Williams) on varsity.''
Nansemond River's girls basketball team has struggled since the school opened in 1990. But McCray has worked with the younger players, and the effort is beginning to pay off.
With the exception of senior Shanee Frazier, McCray will have the same group back for the next two years.
As equal as the Warriors are in talent, Williams has that extra spark that makes it easy to pick her out in a crowd.
``She's averaging about 15 points, six rebounds and two steals a game,'' McCray said. ``She is one of the best pure shooters we have. When she shoots from the field or the free-throw line, she gets nothing but net.''
Williams, who played JV as an eighth-grader and won't turn 15 until next June, is very modest about her talent. She acknowledges that she practices a lot.
``I've got a goal at home and I practice some on other courts,'' she said. ``And I've won lots of free-throw contests.''
For all of of her offensive skills, however, Williams might be most valuable to the Warriors on defense.
``She's quick and has good hands,'' McCray said. ``She's had some blocked shots and made some tremendous steals.''
Still, Williams gives credit for the team's success thus far to her teammates.
``The whole JV team moved up, and we know each other,'' she said. ``We're used to playing with each other.''
And with Williams and most of that nucleus back for another two or three years, it could be a tough period for their Bay Rivers District foes. by CNB