THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412150614
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
It's almost a given that D.J. Dunbar, last season's Virginian-Pilot/Ledger-Star boys basketball player of the year, will get his points.
But the true measure of how well Churchland High, the area's second-ranked team, plays rests with Dunbar's teammates.
Wednesday night against No. 6 Maury in a battle of unbeatens, Dunbar's teammates were everything they have to be.
The 6-foot-3 Dunbar scored his points (20), grabbed his rebounds (11) and made his steals (4).
But it was the three 3-point goals by point guard Mike Holland (16 points), the inside scoring of 6-6, 290-pounder Jason Lewis (14 points) and Churchland's refusal to wilt when five down in the fourth quarter that led to a 62-54 victory against the visiting Commodores.
``These guys are playing as a team,'' said Churchland coach Mac Carroll, whose squad improved to 4-0. ``We're doing a great job of complementing each other. And with people constantly trying to stop D.J., that's what we need.''
The Commodores (5-1) appeared in command when Todd Davidson canned a 10-foot baseline jumper for a 47-42 early in the fourth quarter.
But then Holland answered with a 3-pointer. And Lewis blocked a shot by Maury's Shawn Jackson to force a jump ball and gain possession. Then Lewis added an eight-foot jumper to deadlock it at 47-all. After a Maury turnover Holland buried an 18-foot jumper for a 49-47 Churchland lead.
Maury answered with four straight free throws for a 51-49 advantage with 3:24 remaining.
Then Dunbar took over, scoring on a rebound and completing the 3-point play to start a 9-0 run that was the difference.
``Our lack of mental toughness did us in,'' said Maury coach Jack Baker. ``This game followed the pattern of the three we played last year. We had a lead and then we made three or four mental errors.''
Jackson finished with 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for Maury while Ike Richardson chipped in with 13 points.
The Commodores will get another shot at Churchland when they host the Truckers Jan. 28. But by then, 6-9 first-team All-Tidewater forward Marvin Rodgers, a fall semester academic casualty, could be back with the Truckers.
``And if we're playing this well without him,'' Carroll said, ``let's just say I'm looking forward to getting the big guy back.'' by CNB