THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411060379
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's girls basketball team could usually get away with playing for 24 or even 16 minutes and walk away with a victory for most of the season.
Except when they played Norfolk Academy.
Saturday night the Saints rose to the task and put in 32 solid minutes to down the Bulldogs 62-52 and claim their second straight TCIS tournament title.
In September Nansemond-Suffolk slept through the first half of its first meeting with Norfolk Academy and its second-half rally wasn't enough to keep the Bulldogs from winning, 59-55.
Last week the Saints decided to skip the third quarter and lost 57-45, which helped the Bulldogs win the regular-season crown.
Saturday they knew it had to be different.
The Saints came out with high-powered defense and wouldn't bow to Norfolk Academy's press as they cruised to a 20-6 lead at the end of the first period.
The Saints won last year's title with a group of sophomores, so it came as no surprise that they were the team to beat with experienced juniors. But it was a freshman and a sophomore who led the way Saturday.
Freshman Allison Dunn earned all-tournament team honors with 17 points including three treys and sophomore Ann Murden, who earned tournament MVP honors, added 16.
It was Dunn who stole the momentum from a Norfolk Academy rally in the fourth quarter.
Angela Hucles put the Bulldogs in striking distance with a jumper and a pair of free throws to close the gap to 45-41 with 5:30 to play.
Dunn responded with an in-lane jumper and a three-pointer to give the Saints a nine-point cushion.
Lea Wilson also had 17 points for Nansemond-Suffolk. Norfolk Academy's Kendra Robins put in an all-tournament team performance with 23 points. by CNB