THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 25, 1994 TAG: 9412230275
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The kids are out of school, the presents are all unwrapped, so now what do you do for entertainment?
How about basketball?
It's tournament time and there are three area tournaments to choose from.
The Lakeland Christmas Classic heads the lineup with Lakeland, Nansemond River, Greensville and Wilson.
The opening round pits winless Wilson against Nansemond River (4-1), followed by Greensville (4-3) and Lakeland (3-2). The first game begins at 6:30 on Wednesday with the second at 8:15.
The Warriors have already beaten Greensville twice. But the Cavaliers split their two games with the Eagles, and took a 72-46 pounding at Greensville last week.
A consolation game will be held Thursday night at 6:30 with the championship to follow. Lakeland and Nansemond River hope that will be a battle for Suffolk bragging rights.
Several of Bay Rivers' top scorers will be highlighted, including the leader, Lakeland's Sebastian Yates (25.0) and Nansemond River's Antoine Willie (18.5) and Leshawn Pugh (12.5).
The Burger King Southampton Classic may offer some of the tightest competition with every game up for grabs.
Franklin (3-2) takes on Louisa County (3-1) in the first game at 6:30 on Wednesday and Southampton will face Group AAA Patrick Henry-Ashland (2-1) in the late game. The consolation and championship games will be played at 6:30 and 8:30 on Thursday.
Louisa knocked Nansemond River out of the Group AA state semifinals last year behind a 24-point performance from Robert Shelton. The Lions went on to to lose to Salem in the state final.
Shelton is now at Ohio State, but Louisa is still a contender in the Battlefield District.
Southampton edged Franklin last week, 57-55, when Greg Scott nailed a jumper with three seconds left to lift the Indians.
The Broncos held Shawn Tann, the Bay Rivers District's second-leading scorer to just two points. Sydney Gainey, the district's fourth-leading scorer totaled 23 points to up his average to 20.6 points per game.
Smithfield will get to take on its favorite opponent, Windsor, as well as Surry in the Packers' Christmas tournament, which will also feature a JV game on Wednesday and Thursday night.
The Packers have come very close to getting their first win in more than 20 games with two close matches with Windsor. Maybe the third time will be the charm. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
A Southampton defender stays close to Nansemond River's Maurice
Fofana during Bay Rivers tourney action last season. There are three
tournaments to choose from this year.
Shawn Tann of Southampton sizes up the defense during a game. The
Bronco was the leading scorer in last year's Bay Rivers district
action.
by CNB