THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 14, 1994 TAG: 9412140589
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
After winning its last two games by more than 50 points, No. 1-ranked Kempsville needed a test. Tuesday night, the Chiefs passed with flying colors, scoring a 58-42 victory over defending state champion Salem.
Salem (2-1), ranked third in South Hampton Roads, put up a good fight and was within four points as the first half ended.
But Kempsville (3-0) outscored Salem 16-8 in the third quarter and added 22 points in the fourth to solidify its hold on the area's top spot.
``We didn't know what to expect in the first half,'' said Chiefs senior center Carrie Johnson, who finished with 17 points. ``Basically, it was a test for us. We had to find out what was inside of us and bring it together.''
The Chiefs finally found what they were looking for with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter when junior guard Lori Henn sank the game's first 3-pointer.
Henn's trey gave Kempsville a nine-point cushion.
``We came into the game with the attitude that it wasn't going to be a 50-point game, but a 20- or 30-point one,'' Kempsville coach Greg Dunn said. ``I have to remember that I have a lot of sophomores. I think they felt the pressure.
``Tonight we finally had to deal with a tight situation. I think our team will grow from that.''
Misty Colebank did her best to keep the Sun Devils in it in the the final period, scored 10 of her 17 points.
The junior guard nailed a 21-foot 3-pointer with 3:26 to go that made it 47-36.
On the ensuing play, Deljuana Scott intercepted a Carrie Heath inbounds pass. Scott's missed shot was rebounded and put back by junior forward Kelly King to bring the Sun Devils within nine. But that was the closest Salem would come.
Colebank fouled out with 52 seconds to play.
``We asked her to do so much,'' Salem coach Larry Bowman said of Colebank, who had only a 42-second breather at the end of the third quarter. ``She still came up and made some big shots at the end.''
Salem suffered its first loss since last season's Beach District final, when Kempsville beat the Sun Devils.
``After graduating eight of 11 players, I thought we were in for a long year,'' Bowman said. ``But I found out tonight that I have kids with a lot of heart who want to be good basketball players and live up to the Salem tradition. I thought we were rebuilding, but we're just reloading.''
``I have to give a lot of credit to Salem,'' Dunn said. ``Ultimately this is a positive thing for us. Salem had nothing to lose and we did. We were expected to win big. We - including myself - need to learn to handle this better.'' ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Staff
Salem's Misty Colebank, right, steals the ball from Kempsville's
Charlette Fayton Tuesday night, but Colebank's defending state champ
Sun Devils couldn't steal the game from the area's top-ranked
Chiefs.
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Staff
Kempsville's Carrie Johnson, center, passes off against Salem's
Antointetta Gabriel, left, and Jenny Harmon. Johnson scored 17.
Kempsville 58
Salem 42
by CNB