THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 14, 1995 TAG: 9501140352
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
In each of the first three quarters, Granby tried to hold the ball for a last shot, only to turn it over.
But when when the game was on the line, the Comets made it count.
Shawn Hobson drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 20 seconds left as visiting Granby, the area's third-ranked team, beat fifth-ranked Maury, 49-47, in a key Eastern District matchup Friday night.
The Comets improved to 10-0 in winning their district opener.
``It was a play designed by my coach for my teammates to get me open,'' said Hobson, who was 6 of 13 on 3-point attempts and finished with a game-high 29 points. ``I just focused and went up for the three.''
Hobson came off a double screen to set up his game-winner.
``How many players can get 29 points when they have a box-and-one defense on them?'' Granby coach Jim Harvey said. ``He's without a doubt the best player in the state. We set up a lot of plays for him and he was smart enough to use it.''
Maury (9-3 overall, 0-2 district) scored its last field goal at the 1:55 mark and hit 2 of 3 free throw attempts in the last two minutes. But the Commodores turned the ball over with nine seconds left, ending hopes of tying it up.
``We played great defense,'' said Harvey, whose team accounted for eight steals and forced 20 turnovers. ``We executed perfectly.''
Maybe not perfectly. The Comets were outrebounded, 28-24.
But this game was decided more on the perimeter, and Hobson was too hot. He shot 56 percent, while the Commodores could only manage 32 percent as a team.
Tommy Spruill led Maury with 14 points. Shaun Jackson chipped in eight and had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Friday's game began a series of five games in eight days for Granby, which visits Norfolk Christian tonight at 7:30 p.m.
In another Eastern District game:
BOOKER T. 73, LAKE TAYLOR 62 Shawn Wilson scored 17 points as the Bookers won their seventh straight and ended the Titans' seven-game winning streak.
The second-ranked Bookers raced to a 25-9 lead in the first quarter.
``We didn't handle the initial pressure and they have a tremendous killer instinct,'' Lake Taylor coach John Kelly said.
The Titans, however, clawed back to cut Booker T.'s lead to 50-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
``We just couldn't get over the hump,'' Kelly said.
Kenny Brown added 14 points, Brian Parker had 13 and David Gallop chipped in with 12 for the Bookers (9-1, 2-0). Regular starting guard Ashley Berry sat out with a groin injury.
``Typical Friday the 13th,'' Bookers coach Barry Hamler said. ``Ashley pulls a groin getting out of bed.''
Toot Young led the Titans (8-2, 0-1) with 17 points while Toni Harrell chipped in with 15. by CNB